Advocating for Land Use Reform

All too often, residents are not provided ample notice ahead of land use hearings. No one deserves to be kept in the dark when it comes to development projects that have the potential to drastically impact their daily lives. I strongly believe that providing greater clarity to residents in advance of pending development hearings will empower communities to better shape what the future holds.

Last year, I worked with my colleagues on the Township Committee to introduce legislation to codify a more transparent redevelopment policy and advocate for state-level reforms to provide residents with more advanced notice and information on land use proposals. One reform we are advocating for is gaining momentum, and that is to expand notice requirements from 10 days to 21. Doing so would ensure residents are provided enough time to research proposals, talk about them with neighbors, and have ample time to prepare informed questions ahead of public hearings.

As part of this ongoing effort led by the Township, I am pleased to announce that Senators Anthony Bucco and Joseph Cryan worked with Morris Township to introduce legislation in the State Senate that would protect New Jerseyans by extending the time required for public notice of land use applications to 21 days from the current 10. This is a big step forward for this initiative. I am incredibly grateful for the bipartisan leadership by Senators Bucco and Cryan to provide greater transparency for residents across the state.

Upcoming Route 24 Project Public Comment 

Recently, Morris County held an information session for residents to learn more about the proposed Route 24/Columbia Turnpike/Park Avenue Interchange Project. Residents who were unable to participate in the session can view the recording, which includes an overview, along with a Q&A session.

The Township Committee continues to evaluate this proposal and appreciates feedback being received from our residents. With this in mind, the Township Committee will be having a public comment period specific to this proposal during our June 15th meeting at 7:00pm on Zoom. We encourage those wishing to provide further comment to attend.

Memorial Day Services

The Township Committee was honored to join the veterans of the Memorial and Veterans Day Association of Morristown and Morris Township on Monday to honor the lives of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and way of life. We were fortunate to be joined by our representative in Congress and Navy Veteran, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.

At this year’s service at the Green, I was humbled to provide the keynote remarks, where I focused on how, as a community, we must do better to honor lives and legacies of the fallen. We must each personalize their heroic journeys so that we may cherish their lives as we do the lives of our loved ones. And we must work together so that their stories of heroism are given the opportunity to be more closely tied to our hearts.

Thank you to the Memorial and Veterans Day Association, including longtime Township residents Jim Cavanuagh and Former Fire Chief Tony Romano, for organizing Monday’s services.

Thank you for reading my monthly newsletter. Please be sure to follow Morris Township by signing up for our Municipal Messenger as well as by liking our Facebook page and following us on Instagram.

Best,

Mark