West Milford - Opponents of the Valley Ridge Development hoped to be heard last Thursday, but the planning board had to put their proverbial fingers in their ears. The board has to clarify the reason it denied Trammel Crow Residential NJ/PA Land Acquisition L.P. approval of 104 townhouses on Union Valley Road. The board will do so in a resolution which will be returned to Judge Graziano of Superior Court for a final decision. Although some members of the public spoke at the meeting, Attorney Stephen Glatt, who is handling the issue, told board members, “I must admonish you, everything must be stricken from your mind. The sole purpose of this meeting is to declare the basis of denial to the applicant. Nothing can be considered because it is not evidentiary.” James O’Bryant, board member, said he had three major areas of concern. He said the original well testing, according to the preliminary site plan, took place approximately nine to 12 years ago. That well has been abandoned and replaced with two newer wells, which have not been tested. The well in question lies within a wet lands buffer and it would be virtually impossible to get approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection to draw water from the wet lands, O’Bryant said. He said he was concerned that adding approximately 300 people would deplete the already stressed water supply. Board member Doug Ott said area residents already have problems with their water. He said he does not want further depletion of water standards and levels. Bald Eagle Village has not approved easements that are part of the proposal. Instead, they deferred their decision to the planning board, O’Bryant said. “If you want to say yes, you don’t send a lawyer,” he added, referring to the fact that the Bald Eagle Board sent representation. O’Bryant also referred to testing done by township resident Doris Anderson. Those results showed levels of bacteria at 47,000 parts per million, opposed to the state’s maximum of 200, coming from the Old Milford main outflow pipe. He said the board has asked TCR twice for DEP approval documentation but never received it. The plan to have sewage pumped over the mountain to the Municipal Utility Authority is another issue with severe problems O’Bryant said. TCR plans to build pump sewage to the MUA. TCR also does not own the property in which they wish to construct the pipeline to connect to the MUA. “They have to go to someone else to get permission to run through the property,” O’Bryant said. Tricia Pelon, a spokesperson for Crown Atlantic Comp, LLC, one of the owners of land being discussed, told The Messenger they have not been contacted by TCR. “I’m not quite sure we’d actually go for that,” she said. TCR claims eminent domain where the construction of pipeline is concerned. The board decided to defer to the judge on the matter. There are two landowners that TCR would have to obtain permission from before they can put pipelines on their property. Leslie Tallaksen, board member, said there was no testimony provided by the MUA as to why they wish to connect with the development. She said representatives of TCR were reluctant to answer questions posed by the board, which hindered the board’s ability to approve any portion of their project. Bettina Bieri, a resident for 20 years and former planning board member, said pertinent questions have been asked which have received no reply. She said that demonstrated TCR’s lack of cooperation. “Logically, you can’t approve things without answers.” The board planned to approve a resolution to send back to court at last night’s meeting. That will happen after press time.