Planning board unanimously approves Neielson Ford site plan for 17172 Richell Avenue

The Morris Township Planning Board on April 20 approved an amended preliminary and final major site plan for Neielson Ford at 17172 Richell Avenue, granting the application by an 8-0 roll call vote with a series of conditions.

Mr. Warner told the board the plan covers reconstruction of existing pavement, paving of gravel areas, new striping, drainage improvements, installation of electric vehicle charging stations, ADA-accessible ramps and parking, updated lighting and new curbing at the Richell Avenue site. "The board will recall that was an amended preliminary and final major site plan approval ... installing new striping, installing drainage improvements, uh electric vehicle charging stations, ADA accessible ramps, and ADA accessible parking spaces and updated lighting and new curbing at 17172 Richell Avenue," he said.

The board noted there were no variances or exceptions requested. The resolution adopts numerous conditions of approval, including compliance with comments in the memoranda of the board’s professionals and a requirement that the proposed landscape plan be revised to replace invasive plant species with native species that are not listed on the township’s do-not-plant list. The board’s recorded action was described in the meeting as a unanimous grant of the application, 8-0.

Board members moved, seconded and conducted a roll call vote adopting the resolution; the public record indicates the vote was unanimous. The board will finalize a written memorialization of the decision that lists the conditions and any technical clarifications required by staff and consultants.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed subject to the conditions specified by the board and the consulting professionals; the filing and timing for any permits required by other agencies were not discussed in detail at the meeting.