Morris Township Committee on April 2 unanimously approved four resolutions addressing the township’s affordable-housing obligations, including authorizing the planning board to investigate whether part of 79–81 Ketch Road should be designated an area in need of redevelopment.

The committee approved a resolution of need, authorized an affordable-housing agreement with Morris Catch Road, LLC, approved a planning-board investigation under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1) for Block 1901, Lots 1 and 1.01 (79/81 Ketch Road), and authorized execution of a mediation agreement for the township’s fourth-round affordable-housing obligation. All four measures were adopted by roll call vote.

The resolutions set the immediate procedural steps for Morris Township’s fourth-round affordable-housing process and start a formal review of the Ketch Road property that could lead to redevelopment designation and future permitting or negotiation. Mayor Greglia said the township’s overall obligation had been reduced during negotiations: “our number went with our original number at 571. Through all the hard work, our number was reduced to 375 affordable units,” and thanked planners Paul Phillips and Liz Laney, affordable-housing attorney Steve Warner, Business Administrator Tim Quinn and Tax Assessor Erin Wilson for their work on the matter.

Resolution details read into the record named four items as follows: a resolution of need (Resolution 98-25), a resolution authorizing an affordable-housing agreement between the Township of Morris and Morris Catch Road, LLC (Resolution 99-25), a resolution authorizing the planning board to investigate whether a portion of the properties commonly known as Block 1901, Lot 1 and Block 1901, Lot 1.01 (79/81 Ketch Road) should be designated an area in need of redevelopment pursuant to the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1) (Resolution 100-25), and a resolution authorizing execution of a mediation agreement for the township’s fourth-round affordable-housing obligation (Resolution 101-25).

The committee moved to a closed session earlier in the meeting for discussion of affordable housing before resuming the public portion and voting. The clerk stated there were no members of the public attending in person or on Zoom when the resolutions were introduced.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 98-25 — Resolution of need: Approved (roll call vote). Yes: 4; No: 0; Abstain: 0.
- Resolution 99-25 — Authorize affordable-housing agreement with Morris Catch Road, LLC: Approved (roll call vote). Yes: 4; No: 0; Abstain: 0.
- Resolution 100-25 — Authorize planning-board investigation of 79/81 Ketch Road under N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1: Approved (roll call vote). Yes: 4; No: 0; Abstain: 0.
- Resolution 101-25 — Authorize execution of mediation agreement for fourth-round obligation: Approved (roll call vote). Yes: 4; No: 0; Abstain: 0.

After the votes, Mayor Greglia said more information would be released as the township continues work on affordable housing. The special meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.; the committee’s next meeting was announced for April 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building.