Letter to the Editor: 'Honeywell Development ... a Threat'

The following letter to the editor was received on April 28 and dated April 26.

Honeywell Development of 147 Acres is a threat to Historic Morristown.

Honeywell’s proposal to change the Master Plan Zoning is misguided and self serving.  Enticed by the specter of making millions of dollars selling off most of their 147 acre campus to developers, Honeywell has proposed a dense housing project more akin to urban development rather than keeping the current historic suburban atmosphere.

Quality of life is why most of us have made Morristown and the Township our home in the first place.  There are many other more congested towns nearby with lower taxes that we could have chosen instead.  The reason our property values are some of the highest in the state is because of the present historic atmosphere we have preserved.

Honeywell developers now threaten this by asking the township committee to change the current Master Plan zoning of the property and allow a massive redevelopment and building project.  The eight to fifteen years of development proposed will be too much for the community to endure and will change the historic setting forever.

Suggestions by Jason Larry, DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL REAL ESTATE HONEYWELL that the development would increase tax revenues of $4 million dollars to the township are also misleading.  Upon closer analysis, after subtracting all additional yearly costs for the 300+ new family homes, a nursing facility and a hotel, most of that proposed revenue is lost and possibly results in a net cost to our neighborhood.

This development proposal is a serious one.  It needs more examination and further study by experts in environmental, traffic, financial and long range planning before it can be fully understood.  The township planning officials should not rush through this petition.  Neighbors surrounding the Honeywell project should have more say in the decisions of such a large, full scale development that will change Morris Township forever.  Once the zoning is changed and the construction proceeds, it cannot be reversed. 

At present, not one neighbor out of 500 within a ½ mile radius of the project has given a positive word on this project or thinks this project is good for the township.  There are just too many unanswered questions at this time.  Township officials should not approve a change to the current Master Plan Zoning.

Robert J Cole MD
Morris Township