Planning Board Closes Public Comment on Honeywell Redevelopment Proposal

At the beginning of Monday's special planning board meeting in Morris Township, board chairman Rick Haan announced that this would be the final opportunity for the public to ask questions or comment on a redevelopment project proposed by . 

Honeywell has proposed a major build-out on its 147-acre campus located on Columbia Road in Morris Township, to include some combination of additional office space, residential units, a continuing-care retirement community, a hotel, and parking decks or lots. The proposed development would require a change to the township's master plan.

A long line of people immediately formed in front of the microphone, though the overall crowd was smaller than at previous meetings. Among the questions raised were:

Is it part of the planning board's job to defend the existing master plan? Board members referred the question to board attorney Brian Burns, who called the master plan "a living document" that "changes over time."

Would the board consider getting an independent traffic study and having Honeywell bear some or all of the cost? Yes, it will be considered.

Would the board consider getting an independent environmental study and having Honeywell bear some or all of the cost? Yes, it will be considered.

How can residents feel that everything's on the up-and-up when Honeywell was just fined $11.8 million dollars for illegally storing  radioactive and hazardous waste at an Illinois facility and has not disclosed the extent of its dealings with Iran? Multiple board members replied that this was "not relevant."

Does Honeywell have a response to the comments made by former committeeman Ron Goldberg at the last meeting? (Goldberg had cautioned that Morris Township's financial obligation to the Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township could rise as a result of the project. "The budget hit of $.003 times assessed value of the  proposed condos alone would be $35, 000," Goldberg said. "Full build-out would add perhaps $100,000 to the payment to the joint library.") Honeywell representatives disputed these numbers, saying they had conferred with the library in coming up with as estimate of $13,000 in increased obligation on the part of Morris Township.

Has Honeywell looked at any surrounding properties for possible acquisition? Honeywell representatives answered that yes, the company looked at an adjoining piece of property for its potential as a recreation area, but concluded that it was too small.

Is the planning board aware that Florham Park has approved a hotel project close to the site of Honeywell's proposed hotel? Yes, and the board hopes it could serve as a model for Morris Township.

Does Honeywell's traffic analysis take into account the new BASF buildings in Florham Park? Yes. 

Does the planning board intend to look further into the claim by Honeywell that the township will incur only $.27 in costs for every dollar it receives in revenue from the redevelopment?  That matter will be referred to the township committee.

Does Honeywell intend to offer any further information from environmental experts to the planning board? No.

If the zoning is changed, what is the estimated net profit for the parts of the property that Honeywell will sell off? Not relevant.

What will happen with the two contaminated sites on the Honeywell property? According to Honeywell, two small areas, totalling less than one-tenth of a acre, will be excavated.

Why was there a big to-do over letting the Wheatsheaf development go from 35 to 38 feet in height when, now, 50 foot townhouses are being considered? (Treated as rhetorical)

Do the Honeywell representatives drink the water at the Morris Township campus? Yes, it has been safe since 1976 when a contaminated well was closed.

Is Honeywell definitely staying in Morris Township? Yes.

What are the barrels that have recently appeared on the Honeywell site? Honeywell collected new soil samples in order to give up-to-date data for this proposal. Results will be made available at a later date.

The planning board will meet again on the Honeywell proposal on May 2, but no public comments will be permitted. The board may schedule a working session in the interim.