WEST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX 11) -- Residents packed a planning board meeting in West Orange Wednesday night, outraged over the proposed West Essex Highlands development.

They worry about likely deforestation, worsening the already fragile flooding situation, and creating a strain on city infrastructure. Critics argue the site includes wetlands and watershed areas, which could interfere with local drinking water for several communities.

"They're going to cut down 6,000 trees and it's going to affect the carbon sink, pollution, degradation of the environment, and steep slope-age, and we're all really against it," said Daniela Depalma, a West Orange resident who attended the meeting.

The proposed project calls for a 496-unit apartment complex to be built on 120 acres of land in the northwestern

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