Morris Township board memorializes Kroonquist variance, approves Simon deer‑fence variance

The Morris Township Board of Adjustment on July 28 memorialized a previously discussed variance for Peter and Christine Kroonquist and approved a separate variance for Karen and Bruce Simon that would allow an 8‑foot deer fence on property enrolled in a forest stewardship plan.

Chairman opened the meeting and the board voted to memorialize resolution BAD‑09‑25, which grants the Kroonquists relief to construct a second‑story addition to a nonconforming one‑story section, including side‑yard setback relief. Attorney for the board summarized the reasons set forth in the resolution and noted a condition requiring any installed floodlights be directed so that no light trespasses onto neighboring properties. A motion to memorialize the resolution was made, seconded and approved by roll call.

Later in the evening the board heard BA‑11‑25, an application by Karen and Bruce Simon for an 8‑foot fence to protect a 6.5‑acre woodland enrolled in a state forest stewardship/farm assessment program. Applicant Karen Calvin told the board the New Jersey Department of Agriculture approved a grant to cover half the cost of the deer fence, and that the New Jersey Forest Service and a consulting forester had prepared a stewardship plan focused on restoring the woodland. Calvin said the fence would be installed to Department of Agriculture specifications, would not cross or sit within the stream channel on the property and that NJDEP had indicated no separate permit was required for the proposed alignment.

Board members confirmed the fence would sit about 130 feet back from Schoolhouse Lane and would not be visible from the road. Several members raised visibility and site‑drawing questions, which the applicant answered. The board moved to approve BA‑11‑25 "with our typical provisos;" that motion passed on a roll‑call vote. The board said written resolutions for both matters will be prepared for the next meeting.

The board’s approvals included the standard conditions discussed on the record; written memorialization in the upcoming resolution will capture technical conditions and any required plan revisions.

Meeting minutes show the board treated the Simon fence request as closely tied to the applicant’s forest stewardship plan and grant funding, and noted the NJ Department of Agriculture specifications and NJDEP guidance that informed the board’s practical comfort with the proposed location. The board also recorded that the Kroonquist resolution had been memorialized.