Plans For Mixed-Use Development In Morristown Pushed Back

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A developer is seeking Morristown Planning Board approval to construct a new mixed-use building on Speedwell Avenue in Morristown.

The applicant, 146-148 Speedwell LLC, proposes to build a three-story building with a mix of market rate and affordable housing units. The development will also include retail space and a covered parking structure, according to planning board documents.

The mixed-use project is planned for the area of 146 Speedwell Avenue, Lot 15 in Morristown.

The project application was originally filed in Jan. 2021, according to planning board documents, but the application, which was supposed to be heard at the July, 28 board meeting, was deferred to a later date.

The building is expected to be three stories tall, with six residential units on the upper levels and retail space on the lower level, as well as a parking area in the back of the building with 15 parking spaces.

A traffic engineering review was conducted to determine how the proposed development would affect traffic. According to the review, the applicant's materials did not adequately depict the traffic impact and ensure traffic safety.

"Testimony should be provided regarding the construction logistics for the proposed development and any potential operational impacts to traffic along Speedwell Avenue (US 202) during the construction period. A Traffic Control Plan should be submitted to our office for review and should include provisions for maintaining access to non-vehicular users along Speedwell Avenue (US 202) during construction," the review said.

"It appears that the proposed building balconies will overhang the Speedwell Avenue (US 202) right-of-way. The Applicant shall coordinate with NJDOT to determine if the Department will accept this condition within their right-of-way or the plans will need to be revised accordingly," said Bryan Proska, Project Manager of Traffic Planning and Design.

The proposed mixed-use building project's fate is currently unknown and will have to await a planning board meeting in the near future. The next planning board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25, but no official agenda has been posted, so it is unclear whether the application will be heard at that time.