Zoning Change Approved Amid Resident Backlash In Morris Township

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Despite numerous local residents' objections, the Township Committee adopted an ordinance at its final meeting of 2022 that rezones an area of the township zoning map, allowing for the construction of single-family homes.

The approved rezoning allows the property owners at 257 Mount Kemble Avenue to construct four single-family homes instead of their original proposal of 11 townhouses.

Members of the public expressed their frustrations with the ordinance and with the committee for making a deal with a developer, over a project that has already been rejected by the zoning board.

"This is personal, we understand why you're upset, and we're just trying to prevent 11 townhomes from being built on this property and felt that settling with a developer for four, or with the owner of the property for four single-family homes is the best thing for the community," Morris Township Mayor Mark Gyorfy said.

One resident, Julie Winter, who lives on Mount Kemble Avenue, questioned the decision to rezone the area, stating that the committee was overriding their power and going against the public interest.

"My property butts up right against 257. I bought my property in 2008. My reasonable expectation was that the township would uphold its zoning laws. It's currently zoned, that if there was a house there, there would only be allowed one house on the property and I don't understand why it's being rezoned to allow more," another Mount Kemble Avenue resident Amanda Willbergh said.

"How can this be in the best interest? You mentioned that it's better than 11, well why would that be the option if the board of adjustment voted against it and that was not an option... Why is only building one house, not the other option," Willbergh said.

In response, the board stated that litigation had been filed by the property owner, implying that a judge could remand the case back to the board or simply reverse the board's decision. Committeeman William Ravitz went on to tell the committee that if the rezoning was rejected, he is not sure the township would win in court.

According to the board, without the compromise of four single-family homes, the township could have been forced to build the 11 townhomes, exacerbating the problems raised by the residents.

The committee eventually did vote to approve the ordinance, but not unanimously.

Deputy Mayor Catherine Wilson voted against passing the ordinance. All other members voted in favor.

According to Wilson, she did not agree with overriding the township's master plan.

"I've walked this site and thought about it quite a bit. I do agree, you could fit four homes in this location, but the question I have to ask myself is 'is this the best use of this site?' For me, the answer is no. In my opinion, from a zoning perspective, this site is best suited for what the current zoning permits, one single-family home, not four," Wilson said.

Wilson contended that the entire situation would be resolved if the applicant accepted what she considers to be the best solution to the problem: sell three acres to the township for open space and build one single-family home on the remaining 2.5 acres.

"The only obstacle to accomplishing is the applicant’s refusal to accept it," Wilson said.