City Leaders Approve Plans For Site Of Old Firehouse In Summit

SUMMIT, NJ — The City of Summit Common Council unanimously voted to approve an ordinance repealing the Morris Broad Crossroads Overlay Zone.

The site, located near Morris Avenue, Ashwood Avenue and Broad Street, includes land from the old firehouse, the Chestnut parking area, an office building, and a privately-owned parking lot.

On Oct. 7, leaders agreed that the new zoning district maintained the intended use of the land while also simplifying regulations for its use.

"A couple of years ago, we could have had a monstrosity on that site...now we can hopefully have some revenue coming back into the city," one resident said at the meeting, applauding the work done by Council.

The ordinance (25-3557) that was approved reverts the development of the site back to specifications originally desired by the city and an affordable housing developer. These include 48 residential units totaling 80,000 square feet of property, more flexible parking requirements, an adjusted three-story height requirement to accommodate an office building with 14-foot-high ceilings, and other terminology alterations.

The former ordinance outlined a mixed-use site comprised of market-rate and affordable housing options that would not grow beyond 20 total resident units.

Council President Mike McTernan says the affordable housing element will be a requirement for any developer who wins the bidding for the lot. He also adds that funds from the sale will be "for our schools...and the county... that can pay for the services we deem so important in town, including a price that maybe pays down some debt."

Councilmember Delia Hamlet says the decision to bundle things together, including the multiple parking lots, was to hopefully get a higher bid price and add to this monetary benefit.

The City said they were looking to accomplish two things with their repeal:

1. Adjust to account for certain dimensional requirements that would allow the city to take control of the whole lot
2. To modify the lot from an "overlay" zone to an "actual" zone, which would make this plan the only possible zoning framework that a prospective developer can utilize

"We believe this will be a significant aesthetic advancement to the site," City Planner Tom Behrens said at a Sept. 9 meeting, as a result of a few "minor tweaks." The entire lot measures one-and-a-half acres, and includes the site of the old firehouse, Chestnut parking area, an office building, and a privately-owned parking lot.

In June 2024, the City created the Morris Broad Crossroads Overlay zone based on community input and the mission to achieve four goals:

1. To repurpose the site after the relocation of the firehouse
2. To generate revenue from the sale to a potential developer and annual tax revenue
3. To fulfill requirements to accommodate affordable housing in the area
4. To add public parking
5. To develop the site in a unified design theme that is consistent with Summit

A developer came to the City with their own plan for the site that would include multiple affordable housing units. Under the state's Fair Housing Act, Summit had to file a Declaratory Judgment Complaint by Jan. 31 in order to participate in the program.

Despite rumors that Summit was up against multiple lawsuits, the only one filed was this one that they themselves submitted.

According to Summit's Affordable Housing Attorney Nancy Holm, there were three challenges filed within the same docket, a routine for such projects throughout the state. This allows parties to dispute certain concerns over the plan, and brings the process into a mediation period with the City.

The Fair Share Housing Center, an affordable housing advocacy group, has filed challenges against the development plans of 16 communities around New Jersey, including Summit. The organization alleges that the actions do not align with the state's affordable housing law, and is looking to have the immunity to builder remedy lawsuits revoked. Read more from Patch.

"We are providing viable option for affordable housing to meet any obligations that any court may impose," councilmember Bob Pawlowski added on Oct. 7, "and as long as we continue to operate in good faith...don't have to come to an agreement.

"This ordinance here tonight is a good step in that direction."

Officials say they hope to have all mediation and questions on these plans resolved by the end of the year.