News
Princeton Hydro’s 43-Page Report Lists Flaws in Applicant’s Test Methodology For WEHI Development Permit
WEST ORANGE, NJ – Princeton Hydro, commissioned by WeCare NJ, submitted a 43-page document on Oct. 5 to Dr. Chair Robert Bagoff and the West Orange Planning Board, explaining why building the West Essex Highlands is dangerous because of flooding, steep slopes, will affect the water drinking supply and other reasons. It also questioned some of the methods that the applicant’s expert used in its investigation.
Read MoreResidents fighting plan to build apartments on swath of untouched forest
WEST ORANGE Residents fighting plan to build apartmentson swath of untouched forest Vikings co-owner’s company has been trying to develop the Watchung Mountains woodland for decades. The latest battle is headed to court.Nyah Marshall For The Star-LedgerA decades-long battle to stop a housing development from being built in one of Essex County’s last untouched forests…
Read MoreWeCare & Climate Revolution Action Network Hold West Orange Press Conference Opposing Proposed Development of the Second Ridge
On Friday, September 26, WeCare NJ and the Climate Revolution Action Network held a press conference at 61 Howell Dr. in West Orange to call for the permanent preservation of the Watchung Ridge Forest and to oppose the proposed 496-unit high-rise development on the Second Ridge.
Read MoreForest Fight: New Lawsuit Rekindles Decades-Long Battle over 120 Acres in Essex County
When Steve Patton steps outside his home in the West Essex Highlands condominium complex, he comes face to face with a wall of trees.
Read MoreWeCare President & A West Orange Resident Talk About West Essex Highlands’ Developer Changing the Original Plans
South Orange Environmental Commission Formally Recommends that West Orange Reject Essex Highlands Application
WEST ORANGE, NJ – The South Orange Environmental Commission (SOEC) sent a letter to Mayor Susan McCartney, the West Orange Town Council and the planning board warning that the proposed development of West Essex Highlands housing will be harmful to adjacent towns and recommending that West Orange does not approve it.
Read MoreWest Orange Environmental Commission Sends Letter to Planning Board Opposing Proposed West Essex Highlands Development
WEST ORANGE, NJ – The West Orange Environmental Commission (WOEC) wrote a letter to the West Orange Planning Board explaining why the proposed West Essex Highlands development “will impact ecological integrity, regional open space and quality of life for residents.” They strongly opposed the proposed destruction of a watershed and forest to allow for development of almost 500 apartments on the West Essex Highlands/Watchung mountain.
Read MoreBillionaire sparks backlash with controversial proposal for mountain forest area: ‘Tremendous amount of concern’
Critics said that, in addition to bulldozing one of the last remaining forests in the area, the plans are dangerous because they will increase the risk of flooding in the heavily populated West Orange area, which surrounds the proposed development.
Joe Krakoviak, president of the West Orange Township Council, expressed a “tremendous amount of concern” about putting lower-income residents so far away from vital amenities, along with environmental concerns.
“The township of West Orange has spent literally millions of dollars trying to better handle the stormwater runoff from the top of the mountain,” he said. “And that’s where they want to put the project.”
Read MoreSierra Club Urges West Orange Planning Board to Reject Billionaire’s Harmful Housing Development in the Watchung Mountains
NJ Sierra Club has issued the following statement:
“Affordable housing, land conservation, and sustainability can all coexist, but not like this.
This proposed project … threatens up to 30 acres of deforestation in an already overdeveloped part of the state, increases risk of flooding and does not comply with stormwater rules, which threatens public safety, and will isolate the residents who need the affordable housing literally on top of a mountain – no where near … schools, grocery stores, or public transit.
Read MoreThe Water Has to Go Somewhere
WEST ORANGE — About 30 people turned out for a Planning Board meeting last week to hear a consultant talk about the stormwater plan for a nearly 500 unit residential development proposed for land on the Second Watchung Mountain Ridge.
A presentation was given by Mark Gallagher of Princeton Hydro on the Wetlands Impact of the project, known as West Essex Highlands.
The plan calls for water to move uphill to the wetland, he said. “If the seasonal high water table is above the basin, that is a problem,” Gallagher said.
“If the storm water plan doesn’t meet the requirements of New Jersey DEP, the water will be going towards their homes, downhill,” he said.
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