6 3 26 WO PB Draft Minutes

18 - Mr. Sharenow asked what the agreement required. Ms. Cancellaro stated it stemmed from the earlier 2020 Township agreement requiring installation of the traffic signal. Crestmont agreed to cooperate by allowing use of a portion of its property. The agreement also enabled Crestmont to utilize the Garden Homes development team's engineering and construction resources to build additional parking and realign the club's exit with the new traffic signal. PRESENTATION - The traffic engineer, Karl Pehnke, entered on the record; he was sworn under oath. He testified to the following: - Mr. Schkolnick asked Mr. Pehnke to provide an overview of the project’s traffic and traffic safety issues, challenges, and benefits for both Crestmont Country Club and the community. - The aerial exhibit previously admitted as Exhibit A-1 would be used. - Mr. Pehnke began by explaining the long history of the project: ○ Planning has spanned many years. ○ He became involved approximately 2½ years earlier, retained by West Essex Highlands LLC to advance: ■ Eagle Rock Avenue roadway improvements. ■ Installation of the traffic signal at Oval Road. ○ Prior to his involvement, the retired traffic engineer had worked extensively on: ■ The West Essex Highlands project ■ Coordination with Essex County ■ Coordination with West Orange ■ Development of the settlement agreement ■ Early concepts for Eagle Rock Avenue and Oval Road improvements ○ Mr. Pehnke stated he inherited and continued that design effort - He explained that the roadway design and Crestmont site improvements have been closely coordinated: ○ His partner, John Cote, coordinated the related site engineering for Crestmont. ○ The public improvements and private site improvements were intentionally integrated because the roadway widening directly affects the Country Club property. - Mr. Pehnke described the engineering process: ○ One of the first tasks was evaluating existing conditions ○ The analysis focused on: ■ Existing traffic operations ■ Existing safety conditions ■ Whether improvements were warranted ○ The overall goal was to develop the safest and most effective operational solution. ○ Traffic signal decisions follow established engineering guidance rather than preference alone. - He explained the governing engineering standards: ○ New Jersey Department of Transportation design manuals. ○ Essex County roadway design

tablished engineering guidance rather than preference alone. - He explained the governing engineering standards: ○ New Jersey Department of Transportation design manuals. ○ Essex County roadway design standards. ○ The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for traffic signal evaluation and design. ○ The MUTCD contains multiple types of signal warrants, including: ■ Traffic volume warrants

19 ■ Pedestrian warrants ■ Crash warrants ■ Other operational criteria ○ Traffic engineers primarily rely on: ■ Traffic volume warrants ■ Engineering judgment consistent with the MUTCD - Mr. Pehnke then described the existing conditions at the Oval Road / Eagle Rock Avenue intersection: ○ Oval Road serves the West Essex Highlands development. ○ Eagle Rock Avenue is currently a four-lane county roadway, with two travel lanes in each direction. ○ In the westbound direction: ■ One lane operates as a through lane. ■ Another lane serves through traffic and right turns onto Oval Road. ○ In the eastbound direction: ■ The curb lane carries through traffic. ■ The inside lane serves both through traffic and vehicles making left turns onto Oval Road. - He identified several operational problems at the existing intersection: ○ Eastbound vehicles making left turns onto Oval Road must stop within a through lane. ○ Stopped left-turning vehicles force following traffic to maneuver around them. ○ These conditions were specifically considered in designing the proposed improvements. - Mr. Pehnke described sight-distance problems at Oval Road: ○ Drivers exiting Oval Road must stop and search for gaps in heavy traffic on Eagle Rock Avenue. ○ Eagle Rock Avenue carries approximately 800 to over 1,200 vehicles per hour, depending on the time of day. ○ Looking to the right from Oval Road is particularly difficult because: ■ A fence along Essex Fells Country Club restricts visibility ■ Eagle Rock Avenue curves away ■ Vegetation increasingly obstructs views during the growing season ○ Looking left is somewhat better but still partially obstructed by fencing and vegetation. - Based on those conditions, Mr. Pehnke concluded: ○ The existing intersection has conditions that justify improvements. ○ Existing traffic volumes satisfy the requirements of MUTCD Warrant 2, the four- hour traffic volume warrant, for signalization. ○ Even without considering future development at West Essex Highlands, the existing conditions independently warrant installation of a traffic signal. ○ According to MUTCD guidance and engineering judgment, signalization at this location is justified. - Mr. Pehnke testified that the need for a traffic signal has been recognized for many years. - The issue was likely not technical but financial. - The settlement agreement helped provide the resources necessary to

estified that the need for a traffic signal has been recognized for many years. - The issue was likely not technical but financial. - The settlement agreement helped provide the resources necessary to construct the long- needed improvements. - He next explained how Crestmont Country Club became involved: ○ Installing a dedicated left-turn lane onto Oval Road required widening Eagle Rock Avenue.

20 ○ The widening needed to extend southward onto Crestmont property. ○ That widening would: ■ Provide additional pavement ■ Lengthen the left-turn lane at Laurel Avenue ■ Create a separate left-turn lane onto Oval Road ○ Installing the traffic signal also required: ■ Signal equipment ■ Underground utilities ■ Overhead utilities ○ Those improvements also extended onto Crestmont property. - As coordination with Crestmont progressed, the engineering team recognized additional issues at the Country Club: ○ Crestmont already had operational and circulation problems independent of the roadway project. ○ The existing one-way circulation system: ■ Enters from Laurel Avenue ■ Passes the clubhouse and drop-off area ■ Serves the parking lots ■ Exits through the lower parking lot before reaching Eagle Rock Avenue - Mr. Pehnke described problems with the existing Crestmont exit: ○ The driveway meets Eagle Rock Avenue at a sharp acute angle. ○ This geometry makes it difficult for drivers to look over their shoulder when checking for traffic. ○ Sight distance to the right is restricted by roadway curvature and vegetation. ○ Seasonal vegetation growth further worsens visibility. ○ The driveway also routes vehicles through the parking lot, creating unnecessary conflicts. - Because of these conditions: ○ Crestmont worked with the engineering team and West Essex Highlands to combine the public roadway improvements with the Club’s own operational needs. ○ The Club also incorporated parking improvements it had already been planning. ○ The result is the integrated application before the Planning Board. - Mr. Pehnke summarized the principal site improvements: ○ Approximately 36 new parking spaces would be added. ○ Parking would comply with modern design standards. ○ Internal circulation would improve. ○ The exit roadway would no longer pass through the parking lot. ○ Overall on-site vehicle circulation would become safer and more efficient. - He then described the proposed new exit driveway: ○ The driveway would be reconstructed at a proper grade. ○ It would intersect Eagle Rock Avenue at approximately 90 degrees, instead of the current acute angle. ○ It would connect directly to the new signalized intersection. ○ This would: ■ Improve Crestmont’s internal circulation ■ Improve safety ■ Improve traffic operations ■ Provide signal-controlled egress - Mr. Pehnke emphasized the

o the new signalized intersection. ○ This would: ■ Improve Crestmont’s internal circulation ■ Improve safety ■ Improve traffic operations ■ Provide signal-controlled egress - Mr. Pehnke emphasized the broader public benefits:

21 ○ The existing separate driveway conflict point would be eliminated. ○ Crestmont’s driveway would align with the Oval Road intersection. ○ A single, signal-controlled intersection would replace multiple conflict points. ○ This would improve both safety and operational efficiency for all users. - Mr. Schkolnick asked about the steep slope of Crestmont’s existing exit driveway, which had previously been mentioned by Ms. Cancellaro. - Mr. Pehnke responded he did not know the exact grade percentage of the existing driveway. - He did know the proposed driveway grades because they were designed to comply with Essex County standards. - County standards require the driveway to approach the roadway relatively flat before transitioning to approximately an 8% grade farther into the site. - Mr. Pehnke introduced the specific roadway plan he was referencing: ○ Sheet 14 of 22 from the preliminary Eagle Rock Avenue roadway improvement plans. ○ Dated February 12, 2026. - Using that plan, he explained: ○ The existing driveway connects to Eagle Rock Avenue between the Pleasantdale Chateau driveway and Wakeman Street. ○ It descends continuously toward the roadway. ○ It connects near the inside of the roadway curve and just west of land previously donated to West Orange Township. - Mr. Pehnke testified that the existing driveway grade does not satisfy current Essex County standards. - The proposed driveway has been specifically designed to meet those standards. - Bringing the new roadway up at the proper grade required significant integration with Crestmont’s parking lot design. - Mr. Pehnke explained that the plan focuses on the Oval Road/Eagle Rock Avenue intersection and the new Crestmont Country Club driveway. - Confirmed that all roadway widening occurs on the south side of Eagle Rock Avenue, affecting the applicant's property (Crestmont Country Club). - No curb line changes are proposed adjacent to Essex Fells Country Club. - No curb line changes are proposed on Oval Road. - Approximately 12–13 feet of additional pavement will be added on the south side. - Behind the new curb, an 8–10-foot graded border area will be constructed: ○ Designed as a flat, walkable area ○ Improves maintenance ○ Preserves proper sight lines in accordance with NJDOT and Essex County standards ○ Characterized the roadway improvements as a substantial safety and operational enhancement for Eagle

es maintenance ○ Preserves proper sight lines in accordance with NJDOT and Essex County standards ○ Characterized the roadway improvements as a substantial safety and operational enhancement for Eagle Rock Avenue - Traffic safety benefits of the roadway improvements: ○ A dedicated left-turn lane onto Oval Road separates turning vehicles from through traffic. ○ This: ■ Prevents stopped left-turning vehicles from blocking through traffic. ■ Eliminates the need for motorists to maneuver around stopped vehicles. ■ Improves safety for both through traffic and drivers turning onto Oval Road. - New Crestmont driveway design:

22 ○ The relocated driveway will have a two-lane approach: ■ Dedicated left-turn lane. ■ Right-turn/through lane. ○ This allows: ■ Country Club traffic to exit safely ■ Residents traveling toward Oval Road continue straight through the signalized intersection - Modern traffic signal features: ○ The new signal will be fully modernized and compliant with the MUTCD ○ Features include: ■ Modern vehicle detection ■ Pedestrian accommodations on all four legs of the intersection ■ Crosswalks ■ ADA-compliant curb ramps ■ Connecting sidewalks ■ Pedestrian signals and push buttons ○ Mr. Pehnke stated that all modern traffic signal safety features would be incorporated. - Additional improvements shown on Sheet 13: ○ Continuous widening along Eagle Rock Avenue also allows: ■ Approximately 200 additional feet of left-turn storage for vehicles turning onto Laurel Avenue. ○ This: ■ Keeps waiting vehicles out of the through lane. ■ Improves safety and traffic flow on westbound Eagle Rock Avenue. ○ Overall, the corridor between Laurel Avenue and Oval Road will receive significant operational improvements that provide a public benefit. - Coordination with Essex County: ○ The plans will continue through the Essex County approval process. ○ Mr. Pehnke noted: ■ County officials have been familiar with these improvements for years. ■ Prior traffic engineer coordinated with the county. ○ Field meetings had already occurred. - The new intersection is expected to operate at very good levels of service. - The new traffic signal will be coordinated with the Laurel Avenue traffic signal. - Coordination will use GPS-based synchronization: ○ Laurel Avenue will function as the "master" signal. ○ Oval Road will function as the "slave" signal. ○ This is a standard practice that allows both signals to operate efficiently without interfering with each other. - Drainage improvements: ○ Existing drainage along Eagle Rock Avenue is inadequate. ○ The project includes a new drainage system designed to: ■ Eliminate ponding and puddling ■ Improve roadway safety ○ Some drainage infrastructure will be accommodated on the Crestmont site through Mr. Cote's site design. ○ Mr. Pehnke described improved drainage as another significant public benefit. - Mr. Schkolnick asked whether the improved left-turn lanes benefit all users of Eagle Rock Avenue, not just Crestmont or Oval Road traffic. Mr. Pehnke

drainage as another significant public benefit. - Mr. Schkolnick asked whether the improved left-turn lanes benefit all users of Eagle Rock Avenue, not just Crestmont or Oval Road traffic. Mr. Pehnke agreed.