Planning Board Authorized Area-in-Need Study for Ketch Road as Township Finalizes Fourth-round Housing Number

The Planning Board of Morris Township on April 7 voted to accept a governing-body resolution directing the board to conduct an area-in-need-of-redevelopment (non-condemnation) study for a county-owned parcel on Ketch Road that is the site of a planned 50-unit, 100% affordable housing development tied to an earlier settlement.

Board members also discussed recently negotiated fourth‑round prospective need numbers for the township under the state’s fair-housing process: the Department of Community Affairs’ initial calculation of 571 units, the township’s proposed figure of 308 units, Fair Share Housing Center’s position of about 562 units, and the settlement number the township reached with parties of 375 units. Board members and staff said the township’s planners will now prepare the study and a housing-element/fair-share plan, with draft implementation ordinances prepared by the statutory June 30 deadline.

Why it matters: The area-in-need designation and the housing element that follows are procedural steps that can enable redevelopment tools and satisfy the township’s affordable-housing obligations under New Jersey law. The Ketch Road site is also connected to a prior settlement that required a 50-unit affordable project (sometimes referred to as the township’s “round 3.5” obligation).

Board action and next steps Township counsel and staff described the steps: the planners retained by the governing body (Phillips Price was named in the governing-body resolution) will prepare an area-in-need study and, if the board finds one or more statutory criteria are met, the board will hold a full public hearing with statutory notice and then forward a recommendation to the governing body. If the governing body designates the area as an area in need of redevelopment (non-condemnation), the planners will prepare a redevelopment plan and draft implementation ordinances.

Timing and numbers discussed Board members were told that the township negotiated a prospective need of 375 units for the fourth round through the state dispute-resolution program; the township’s counsel referenced participants in that negotiation including the governing body's mayor Liz Laney, municipal staff and an assigned special adjudicator. The board was told the fourth-round prospective need becomes relevant beginning July 1 and that the municipal housing element and fair-share plan must be adopted in draft and accompanied by draft implementation ordinances by the statutory deadline of June 30; final adoption of ordinances is expected in 2026 as part of the implementation schedule discussed on the record.

Board vote A motion to accept the governing body’s authorization and have the planners proceed with the area-in-need study carried on a voice vote; the board chair noted the planners would present the study at a future meeting where the public would have opportunity to comment.