Morris Town Council Approves New Paddleball Courts Amid Variances
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
06/24/2024
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Recording Published:
07/22/2024
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Duration:
66 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Morris County
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Towns:
Morris
- Meeting Overview:
The Morris Town Council has approved the construction of three new paddleball courts on Columbia Road Partners LLC, which will replace an existing clay tennis court, despite requiring variances for fence heights and lighting fixtures. This development was a key focus at the recent council meeting, where members discussed the specifics of the construction, including the layout and design of the courts, compliance with local ordinances, and the impact on surrounding properties.
During the meeting, the applicant’s representative expressed gratitude for the board’s earlier consideration of the application and presented revised plans that addressed previous concerns from both the board and neighbors. The plans detailed the layout of the courts, the height and design of the fencing, and the lighting scheme, which included LED light poles designed to comply with township ordinances regarding timing and visibility. The engineer confirmed the lighting fixtures’ compliance with ordinance requirements.
In response to inquiries from the board, the applicant’s engineer also discussed the interpretation of the ordinance’s references to tennis courts in relation to paddleball courts. Despite some slight non-compliance at a specific corner of the property, the plans showed adherence to the maximum illumination of 0.1 foot candles for the majority of the adjoining property lines. To address privacy concerns, the applicant detailed changes including planting evergreen trees on their own property and neighboring properties to screen the lighting.
Public comments included a resident who expressed support for the proposed 9:00 PM closing time and the placement of trees, with concerns about potential noise and light pollution. The resident mentioned the existing sound of children practicing on nearby fields but remained optimistic about the new installations. The board discussed maintenance of the plantings on neighbors’ properties and suggested a written agreement regarding their upkeep.
In addition to the paddleball court approval, the board carried Michael Ewing’s application for a property on Springbrook Road to the regular meeting on September 23rd. Also, a variance relief for the construction of a one-story addition on Great Burn Way was approved. Architect Joe Maresi presented the plan to reconstruct the garage with a more symmetrical appearance, alongside an increase in size to facilitate additional storage and car door clearance. Following a discussion about the impact of the proposed changes, the board granted approval with a majority vote.
Another topic of interest was the application for construction on Arrow Head Road in the R835 zone. Architect Chrisco T. Marquino proposed two small additions to the house, including a front overhang and a mudroom and laundry addition, which required a variance for front yard setbacks. Despite a technical issue with the presentation visuals, Marquino was able to continue discussing the proposed additions, although the board did not reach a decision during the meeting.
The council also reviewed a renovation project that proposed enlarging a mud room, removing a powder room, and renovating the kitchen and family room space. Architects presented plans that emphasized minimal impact on the existing structure and the neighborhood’s character, seeking variances for overhangs and roof lines. However, there were no questions from the board members or public comments regarding this project.
Donna J. Guariglia
City Council Officials:
Jeffery R. Grayzel, Mark J. Gyorfy, William “Bud” Ravitz, Siva S. Jonnada
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
06/24/2024
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Recording Published:
07/22/2024
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Duration:
66 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Morris County
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Towns:
Morris
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