The most contentious issue revolved around the development project and the challenges related to waivers, variances, and the classification of design waivers. While the applicant insisted that the project conformed entirely with no variances, the board challenged this assertion, noting that waivers were indeed being sought. One of the key disagreements among the members was the proposed designation of an interior roadway as public, with the applicant asserting it was intended to be publicly accessible. However, the installation of private systems such as sewage and water lines within a public roadway sparked concerns.

Board member Jeffrey Riker questioned the process of making the roadway public and suggested that the applicant needed to seek approval from the governing body. The board also asked about the conceptual sewage treatment plant plan and the absence of fully engineered plans, raising concerns about safety and the ability to thoroughly review the project. The applicant mentioned submitting a geotechnical report and receiving approval from the municipal utilities authority, which Riker questioned for adequacy and the opportunity for public review.

Further complications arose when the board discussed a proposed school on the property. A concerned citizen’s attorney raised objections, citing unknowns in the application. They suggested that a conforming school could be built on the property, referencing traffic analysis from the applicant’s report and stating the potential number of students and staff. The attorney planned to question the engineer about the board’s experts’ review letters, expressing concerns about variances and unknowns.

The board also discussed the operational details of the proposed schools. Benjamin Diamond, a consultant involved in the project, described various aspects, including the hours of operation, arrival and departure times, transportation arrangements, and maintenance responsibilities. However, board members raised questions about discrepancies in the student capacities and transportation arrangements, prompting further inquiry.