Last Wednesday, September 3 Sprawlism attended the West Orange Planning meeting to learn about WeCare and the West Essex Highland Development. A four-story housing development is being proposed in West Orange, on a 120-acre forested area on the Second Watchung Mountain Ridge. According to the Sierra Club, the project involves clearing about 30 acres for a 496-unit residential development, including 100 affordable housing units. 

On Tap in to West Orange WeCare’s objective states its objective as the following:

“WeCare is to preserve this last core forest in Essex County, which resides on steep slopes and the last of 85,000 trees and a plan which is designed to put 500 units on top of the mountain ridge via private roads comprising a one-mile cul-de-sac, no existing capacity for utility connections like water, sewer, electric and a site plan that doesn’t include things like a power substation for eight plus megawatts of power.”  He warned outages would “trip” the whole area when power goes down - but there’s no place to put it.”

The public was able to ask questions, but the public comment segment will be at a later date. We’ll keep you posted.

Learn more here and here.