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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: