By Jamie Lynn Connors
When Morris Township residents are looking for fun, they often head to Morristown.
But on Wednesday, the Township committee will vote to create a “destination” at the Colgate/Mennen redevelopment, where Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel hopes locals can “gather and hang out for a few hours.”
In 2017 and 2018, Township officials approved construction of townhomes–now under construction by a company called Lennar–along with a multi-family rental building, a group home, and a strip mall, on East Hanover Avenue across from ShopRite.
Those plans called for one drive-through lane apiece for a restaurant building, bank and pharmacy. When the developer of the “Morris Marketplace” returned last year asking to swap the bank- and pharmacy lanes for three restaurant drive-throughs, Grayzel and fellow Committeeman Mark Gyorfy negotiated the addition of new public amenities.
These include electric vehicle charging stations; a pocket park, with two pedestrian plazas that each have seating and water features; plus recreation fields and a small performance stage.
“I have stated publicly several times that I want all development in Morris Township to have a community benefit other than simply bringing in tax dollars as a ratable,” Grayzel said in a message to residents. “Frankly, the strip mall that had previously been approved was simply that, a NJ strip mall.”
Four of the five committee members who voted on the original 2017 plan no longer serve on the governing body. Only Peter Mancuso–now the lone Republican–remains.
The amendments were introduced last month, after a special public information session. Residents can weigh in before Wednesday’s final vote on the ordinance. The meeting starts at 7 pm and can be viewed via Zoom.
We don’t need another strip mall. Install affordable housing instead!
Already have a downtown…it’s called Morristown…