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Morris Township to investigate resident's flooding complaint after neighbor patio work; zoning permit questions raised
Summary
A Morris Township resident reported repeated backyard and basement flooding she links to a neighbor's unpermitted patio extension. Township officials said inspectors have visited, staff will follow up with a new engineer, and zoning review/permits may be required if impervious coverage or slope changes exceed thresholds.
At the April 16 meeting, resident Tina Casal of 11 Tall Timber Drive in Morris Township told the committee her property has flooded repeatedly over two years and she attributes the problem to a neighbor's patio extension.
"After that, my backyard flooded, my basement flooded, my driveway flooded," Casal said, describing repeated cleanups and repairs she has had to perform. She told officials the neighbor did not pull a permit and that runoff now overwhelms her French drain.
Township staff said inspectors have visited the site previously. Township Administrator Tim Quinn told Casal he would review the documentation already submitted, bring the newly appointed engineer up to speed and follow up with her "if not tomorrow, certainly at the beginning of next week."
On procedural questions from Casal, staff said zoning review is typically required for patio extensions; if an extension exceeds certain size limits, the matter would go to the Board of Adjustment for relief. The township said failure to secure required permits is subject to fines and could bar issuance of future permits for the property.
Officials said the township has had inspectors on site and will reexamine the matter with the incoming engineer so the township can advise Casal on potential enforcement or remediation steps. No enforcement action was announced at the meeting; staff committed to a follow‑up with the resident after consulting records and the new engineer.
