More New Townhomes For Morris Township New Jersey 07960

The Morris Township committee approved in a 3 - 1 vote last night approved a James Street zoning change that  effectively legalizes the construction of 92 to 106 townhomes on the site of the old and now vacant Verizon Wireless building.

The vote came after a lengthy and sometimes heated public hearing involving many of the 30 people at the meeting.

"Yes" votes came from Mayor Robert E. Nace and Committeemen Rick Watson and Scott Rosenbush. Committeeman and lone Democrat Jeffrey Grayzel voted against the measure, as he had when it was introduced last month.

Passage of the zone change allows the developer of the new construction project to approach the Morris Township planning board for hearings on specifics of the site plan. The units would sell at market prices, estimated to be around $500,000; there would be no affordable units in the complex as it's now conceived.

At the hearing, township engineer Jim Slate said the project will be less dense than other townhome developments in the township. Others have 76 or 8 units per acre, he said.

Jeff Grayzel (the lone Democrat on the committee) said the ordinance is basically handing the developer a significant benefit. "We're giving away something we'll never get back." Grayzel also said about 50 students would be added to the Morris School District by the townhomes.

During the hearing, many residents expressed concerns and hinted that the proposal might trigger legal challenges if enacted.

David Budd warned that adopting the change could be seen as a precedent and labeled "spot zoning," a term used for land use provisions tailored for a specific property and that create a clash with the use of surrounding properties.

The new zone, known as a "TH4", would allow about four townhouses per acre at 250 James St.

The property is assessed at $10.6 million, with a property tax levy of $226,994, according to county tax records.

The townhouse complex would be valued at $60 million and pay property taxes of about $1.3 million.  

With the Morris Township and Morristown NJ real estate markets the way they are as of late one is left to wonder if this builder will move forward quickly or will delay for a year or two waiting to see what happens.

If you would like to do a little market research on Morristown and Morris Township Townhomes and Condos I have a nice MLS tool for you to use for free.  Please use it as much as you like.

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