Expansion Project Approved For Morris Township Country Club

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — It took two planning board meetings, but the expansion project for the Spring Brook Country Club has officially been approved.

The application, which was heard by the planning board for the first time on Dec. 5, includes a landscape and lighting proposal, as well as plans to expand and upgrade an existing parking area and expand a paddle tennis warming hut.

The development of the tennis hut is part of a second-story addition above the existing tennis shop, according to project engineer Harrison Barany.

One of the project's main features is the expansion of one of the country club's parking lots. According to Barany, the club is required to have 305 parking spaces, but it currently has 160.

This discrepancy was one of the applicant's main priorities as it will vastly improve the club's quality for its current members. Under the approved expansion, one of the lots will be increased from 53 parking spots to 86.

As part of the 86 parking spaces, six of them will be reserved for electric vehicle charging ports, per the parking requirements of the zone in which the club operates.

Concerns were expressed after Barany clarified that the parking lot expansion will necessitate the removal of 47 on-site trees, but that all of them will be replaced after construction. All of the trees will also serve as a buffer for the lights from neighboring communities.

The new parking spaces face resident homes, which Mayor Mark Gyorfy objected to; however, Barany explained that the homes are higher up than the parking lot, so no headlights or taillights would be shining directly into any homes.

Several residents spoke out against additional lighting during public comment, questioning whether the plans were dark sky compliant. Barany later claimed that the proposed lighting is shielded, which means that all light is directed downward, and complies with dark sky regulations.

The second part of the application is a second-story addition to a building in the club's tennis and paddle court area, according to the project architect Frank Jeff Rawding.

Currently, the original structure houses a tiny restroom, a tennis shop and a kitchenette with a seating area. The applicant, according to Rawding, had contacted him for the expansion because the current space is insufficient to meet the needs of the facility.

The new addition will be an 800-square-foot structure atop the current 600-square-foot first floor which will feature a buffet area, and a second bathroom and will overlook the courts.

William Barrett, a member of the planning board, asked the applicant to ensure that no after-hours recreational activities will take place in the new building.

"What I've heard tonight is an applicant that's very willing to listen to the surrounding residents and I did hear open door policy... I urge the residents to bring issues before the township committee because these are relevant issues," planning board member Bud Ravitz said.