WATERVIEW CONTINUES Mudslides Floods Fantasy

Planning Board Requires Total Overhaul Waterview Lost landscape Mudslides Floods.

Attending Planning Board meetings concerning Waterview Landscape and based on those experiences this is what happens when Planning Boards allow developers to rule and master our master plan; for example disallowing Sate of New Jersey Highlands Interactive maps and consistency reports, from the Highlands Council and legitimate State Agency. The natural resources and features of this landscape were ignored and erased; as to having any valid value or precautionary factors that the developer should have adhered to.
The destruction of the sleep sloped forested landmarked was rather seen as a mere obstacle for the developer to overcome. Environmental factors are mere obstacles for corporate developers to fast track and streamline away. Here we have complete property rights over the science of ecology; soil, trees. The organic living landscape was given no quarter, as to any considerations for its already working natural systems. The area was a known as “environmentally constrained subzone” for its natural biodiversity benefits, in a known flood area. Its value as a aquifer recharge ground water resource, especially for it’s forested steep slopes and excellent soil types were not important in any way to the developer or the planning board.
It must be suspected, and this citizen can recall no cross-examinations by the Township engineer in any issues or criteria necessary in the issue of stormwater runoff. The developer’s plans were simply rubber stamped. In fact during the waterview fiasco citizens concerns for these very matter were ignored, allowed 3 minutes, even from experts in environmental and land use issues. Developers fantasy plans were given indefinite time to create their scenario; ignoring and brushing aside these concerns. Property rights, power and money superseded all concerns of ecology, our master plan being subverted entirely in favor of the developer.
In matters of storm water regulations and engineering plans we were lead to believe NJDEP would have the final say; not true! Matters of stormwater planning are entirely up to the power of the municipality. In Parsippany’s case approving whatever the developer put on the table.
GENERAL STORMWATER RUNOFF CALCULATION QUESTIONS, WATER QUALITY QUESTIONS, GROUNDWATER RECHARGE REQUIREMENTS nor WATER QUANTITY REQUIREMENTS TEST, were ever examined or enquired into, during any planning board meeting. When Inglesino subverted the council No Rezone vote. Waterview moved behind closed session doors, with threat of informing the public on any of its aspects.
Our planning Board needs a total overhaul. Corporate property rights must not subvert the right of community. Officials must be educated in matters of ecology and environmental factors, as nothing does a job better than nature itself especially in matters of which the concern was here. Besides ruining the beauty and character of a neighborhood for no just cause, we destroyed a natural system that is never to return and will cost us surely, as it is already.
This whole shameful episode of waterview landscape, last of the hills of Troy all began with false and purposely instigated threats of public housing promoted by Mayor Barberio, Michael dePierro and especially John Inglesino. The fact is such an environmentally sensitive landscape could never have fallen to COAH type housing; though it may now someday. Protected by its steep slopes and its natural assets, its open space candidacy and a promise made but betrayed. Waterview was a crime committed against the people and it’s corporation established within the covenant of Parsippany’s Community of taxpayers, it is also a crime against Earth.
Power and money is not democracy, nor is property nature, the very nature that sustains us and shrinks everyday, while it is being polluted and degraded for no just cause. What happened at waterview needs to be investigated by some higher authority. Much more can be brought out, not mentioned here. Time for the Planning Board to work for the planet..