I am not in favor of this proposed development for several important reasons:
• Increased traffic congestion near the Exxon station and along access routes to I-280 and the Garden State Parkway
• Rising noise levels
• Parking overflow into surrounding residential streets
• Construction-related disruption
• Overall impact on the quality of life for residents in Orange, South Orange, and East Orange

For the past three years, I have personally witnessed and experienced ongoing traffic issues in this area, including frequent accidents near this location. There is already significant congestion caused by vehicles traveling from the VA Hospital toward Seton Hall. The fork in the road requires residents to yield, and too often drivers fail to do so, creating a dangerous situation.

This is possibly the worst location to add 43 additional residential units. There is no street parking available on that road, and the added strain would negatively impact safety, traffic flow, and daily life for our community.

Approving this development under current conditions would be detrimental to our neighborhood.

Let us stand together to protect our community.

South Ward Councilwoman
Jamie Summers-Johnson