Morris Township Committee Passes Land Use Reform Package
Morris Township Committee Passes Land Use Reform Package
Morris Township’s governing body codifies redevelopment policy and advocates for state-level reforms to provide residents with more advanced notice, information on land use proposals
Morris Township, NJ – Today, the Morris Township Committee adopted a package of seven resolutions providing additional notice and clarity related to land use proposals in the Township of Morris in addition to advocating for impactful reforms at the state-level. The initiative, drafted by the Legislation Standing Committee chaired by Deputy Mayor Mark Gyorfy, codifies the Township Committee’s redevelopment policy as it relates to redevelopment proposals, providing additional opportunities for public input and requiring notice beyond what is required by the state.
The following resolutions were passed unanimously by the Township Committee:
Resolution 111-21: Codifies recent practices of the Township Committee to provide notice earlier and beyond legal statutory requirements governed by the state, provide additional documentation for residents to learn about proposals, hold final votes after the initial hearing, and establishes a drafted recommendation from the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association to host a public information session before a redevelopment plan is introduced.
Resolution 112-21: Requires Township professional staff to post planning information to the Township website in advance of a scheduled hearing before the Township Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.
Resolution 113-21: Advocates that state lawmakers expand the legal notice requirements for land use applications from 10 days to 21 days.
Resolution 114-21: Advocates that state lawmakers in Trenton double the legal notice requirements for land use applications from 200 feet to 400 feet.
Resolution 115-21: Advocates that state lawmakers amend certain land use statutes to provide an opportunity for municipalities to provide input on proposals in adjoining municipalities directly on their border.
Resolution 116-21: Supports S3688, legislation introduced in the State Senate to provide an
opportunity for municipalities to provide input on certain warehouse proposals in adjoining
municipalities that are located directly on their border.
Resolution 117-21: Advocates that state lawmakers restore a viable administrative remedy that
municipalities can use in satisfaction of their constitutional obligations to provide affordable
housing.
Like most communities across New Jersey, the Township of Morris continues to see a large volume of
commercial land use applications for properties throughout the municipality as well as in neighboring
communities. In passing these resolutions, the governing body sets new policies governing redevelopment proposals to provide residents with clarity on the process and more substantive information from the outset.
Specifically, the new policy includes a requirement for prospective redevelopers to provide concept plans for public review before Township professionals begin drafting proposed redevelopment plans for the governing body’s review. Furthermore, the Township Committee will now require information on proposals being reviewed by the Township’s Board of Adjustment and Planning Board, which are more strictly governed by state statute, be posted to the Township website in advance of a first hearing.
Additionally, this package includes resolutions advocating for reforms at the state-level to provide increased transparency and opportunity for public input, based off of the Township Committee’s new guidelines for the Township of Morris. The Township also advocates for much-needed reforms as it relates to development directly on shared borders with other municipalities, specifically Senate bill S3688, and affordable housing requirements.
Mayor Jeff Grayzel stated, “This is yet another example of Morris Township putting residents first and implementing best practices in how we conduct business in our township. I laud our Legislative Standing Committee for the great work they have done creating a framework that should become a benchmark for other municipalities all across New Jersey.”
Deputy Mayor and Legislative Standing Committee Chair Mark Gyorfy stated, “Morris Township is
providing and implementing commonsense solutions to give residents more notice, more information, and more of a say in the redevelopment process. I applaud the Township Committee on taking proactive steps to address these gaps where we legally have the ability to do so. We are not interested in kicking the can down the road when it comes to reforming the laws governing land use; by offering practical, local solutions to lawmakers in Trenton, we hope to further the cause of easing the burden of overdevelopment faced by residents in the Township and across the state.”
By passing resolutions 111-21 and 112-21, the governing body officially puts these new protocols in place for future Township proposals. Resolutions 113-21 through 117-21 will be sent to Morris Township’s state representatives and other leaders in Trenton. The Township Committee also intends to encourage adoption of similar practices in neighboring municipalities to help garner support for reform measures at the state level.
These resolutions were drafted and introduced by the Legislation Standing Committee, chaired by Deputy Mayor Mark Gyorfy, in consultation with Committeewoman Cathy Wilson and Township professionals.
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