Montville Planning Board designates Diversified Properties area for redevelopment; approves waivers and resolutions

The Montville Township Planning Board on April 23 voted unanimously to designate multiple parcels associated with Diversified Properties as an Area in Need of Redevelopment and to approve several routine land‑use items, the board said.

Planner J. Burgis presented a study dated April 1, 2026, recommending the designation for lots listed as Block 59, Lots 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 after a judge‑ordered settlement between the township and Diversified Properties. Burgis reviewed the study’s background, its relationship to the township Master Plan and zoning, environmental constraints, and the statutory criteria under LRHL; he said the study does not require all eight statutory criteria to be met in every instance and described which criteria apply to individual lots.

Board members asked questions about whether the board would rely on statutory criterion H for any of the parcels and how the designation would shape the next steps. There was no public comment. Dr. L. Kornreich moved to approve the Area in Need of Redevelopment designation; Mr. L. Hines seconded and the motion passed by roll call vote with all members present voting in favor (Repic, Kornreich, Hines, Failla and Lipari).

Votes at a glance

• Area in Need of Redevelopment — Diversified Properties (B:59, L:13,15,17,18,19,20 & 22). Motion: approve designation. Mover: Dr. L. Kornreich; Second: L. Hines. Outcome: approved by roll call; all five members present voted yes.

• Waiver PMISC26‑12 — Honeywell International, Inc., 20 Chapin Rd., Unit 1001 (office/warehouse with IT/computer lab; no overnight parking; no new signage requested). Motion: approve waiver. Mover: L. Hines; Second: Dr. L. Kornreich. Outcome: approved by voice vote; all in favor.

• Waiver PMISC26‑13 — The Shade Doctor, 638A Main Rd. (442 sq. ft. sales/service space; limited overnight parking; signage per submitted graphics). Motion: approve waiver. Mover: L. Hines; Second: P. Repic. Outcome: approved by voice vote; all in favor.

• Invoices (professionals and consultants) — listed trust charges and invoice amounts for Bright View, Burgis, Carroll and Semrau. Motion to approve invoices carried by roll call; all in favor.

• Resolution PMN/C25‑10 — Robert Reese, 70 & 74 River Road (minor subdivision). Motion: approve resolution. Outcome: approved by roll call.

• Resolution — 17 Chapin Road, Area in Need of Redevelopment (non‑condemnation). Motion: approve resolution. Outcome: approved by roll call.

Why it matters

The board’s designation is a recommendation to the Township’s governing body; if the governing body adopts the designation it may authorize preparation of a redevelopment plan under the LRHL, which would define potential redevelopment standards or incentives for the identified parcels. The planner said the study follows a settlement with Diversified Properties; specific redevelopment proposals and any required zoning or design standards would come later if the governing body moves forward.

What the record shows

The study presented is dated April 1, 2026. The board’s action at the meeting was limited to recommending the Area in Need designation to the governing body and approving routine waivers, invoices and resolutions. The transcript records no public speakers on the redevelopment item and contains no direct quotations from members or staff on the substantive content of the study.

The board adjourned at 7:55 p.m.; the governing body is next in the process if it elects to consider adoption of the redevelopment designation and any subsequent redevelopment plan.