Morris Township committee endorses redevelopment plan, moves to sell parcel for 100% affordable group home

Morris Township’s governing body on Wednesday endorsed a redevelopment plan intended to help meet the town’s fourth-round affordable housing obligation and introduced an ordinance to sell township-owned property at 4 Old Turnpike Road to a 100% affordable developer for use as a group home.

The committee’s endorsement acknowledges a planning-board‑adopted plan for portions of West Hanover Avenue and Ketch Road under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (NJSA 40A:12A-1). The committee moved to introduce Ordinance 203-25 and set the public hearing and final consideration for July 16, 2025.

Why it matters: The actions are part of Morris Township’s effort to meet a state-imposed affordable‑housing obligation. Committee members said the plan favors reuse of commercial sites and aims to limit new disruption to open space while providing units that count toward the township’s fourth‑round requirement. The sale of 4 Old Turnpike Road would be counted toward the affordable unit total as a 100% affordable group home, officials said; the sale is in draft form and still subject to negotiation and any required subsequent reintroduction of ordinance language.

Most important facts: The redevelopment plan was prepared and adopted by the planning board; the governing body’s vote was described as an endorsement/acknowledgement that the township must implement the planning board’s approach. The committee introduced Ordinance 22‑25 to authorize the sale of Block 8602, Lot 10 (4 Old Turnpike Road). Township officials said the property was originally intended for a relocated recreation department but can instead help meet affordable‑housing obligations. The sale proposal includes use of township affordable housing trust funds to support the 100% affordable project.

Committee debate and next steps: Several committee members voiced frustration with the compressed state timeline and said the process limited opportunities for extended review. Officials also emphasized that the endorsement is an early step: site‑specific zoning ordinances, planning‑board site plans and any required legislative actions must follow before construction can proceed. Township staff said developers will still need site plan approvals and that zoning changes to implement projects are expected to be introduced and considered by March 2026 to meet deadlines tied to the state process.

Timing and conditions: Officials said the ordinance authorizing the sale is in draft form and may require reintroduction if negotiations lead to substantive language changes. The public hearing and final consideration for the introduced ordinances were scheduled for the committee’s July 16, 2025 meeting. No final sale or construction approvals were granted on Wednesday.

Context: Officials repeatedly noted the work of municipal professionals and the planning board in reducing the township’s original fair‑share number and said many of the proposed projects repurpose existing commercial structures rather than require large new clearings. Committee members urged continued dialogue with developers during the intervening months to refine proposals.