2026 02 27 Environmental Impact Statement 2

4 COMPATIBILITY WITH PLANNING DOCUMENTS The existing and proposed banquet hall/restaurant is a permitted use in the B-2 District. However, the existing development does not meet all of the bulk and design standards in this zone, including building setbacks, maximum impervious coverage, and landscaped buffers, all of which are existing nonconformities. The proposed development will maintain the existing nonconformities as they relate to setbacks and buffers but will reduce the maximum impervious coverage bringing it into conformance with the requirements. As such, the proposed development will bring the site more closely into conformance with the existing Zone plan and Zoning Ordinance. INVENTORY OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The existing property was mapped for Steep Slopes as part of this submittal. Included in the appendix of this report is the Existing Steep Slopes Plan (Fig. 1). This document has been prepared based on the survey that accompanies the application, which provides more detail than the ordinance requires. The steep slope areas are located adjacent to the residential properties to the west and contain a wooded buffer. Overall, the proposed improvement will occur entirely within the existing disturbed areas. Additionally, no steep slopes are proposed to be disturbed as part of this application. As such, the proposed plan conforms with the steep slopes ordinance. AREA AND REGIONAL DESCRIPTION West Orange is centrally located in Essex County with nearby access to both NJSH Route 10 and Interstate 280. The area is well served by public transportation and provides easy accessibility to virtually anywhere in the tri-state area via highway connections.