One notable issue of the meeting revolved around inquiries from a resident about Ron Kelly’s possible reappointment to the Planning Board. The resident had received a message from Andrew Brewer, the Board Attorney. Mayor Jason Karr confirmed that he would consider Kelly for reappointment, emphasizing that the decision was not within the Planning Board’s jurisdiction but rather depended on Kelly’s employment status. The Mayor stressed the hypothetical nature of the situation and the various factors influencing the reappointment decision. This discussion highlighted the complexities and uncertainties involved in board appointments, especially when linked to employment positions.

Litigation updates were also a focal point, as the board was briefed on a case involving objectors who filed a motion to amend their complaint. The amendment aimed to expand the record through depositions and document discovery, with a court decision pending. The timeline of the case could be affected by the outcome of an upcoming case management conference. The board was informed of the legal intricacies and the potential impact on board activities.

In addition to these topics, the meeting delved into the ongoing efforts to improve the application process for the Morris Plains Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment. A previous effort by a board member in June had resulted in the creation of two distinct sets of application documents: one for subdivision and site plan reviews and another for variance relief. These documents aimed to clarify requirements for applicants and were undergoing reviews by the Board of Adjustments. A collaborative effort was noted between the boards to incorporate feedback, although it was acknowledged that further revisions might be necessary to finalize the documents.

The discussion on application process improvements included the need for hard copies of the current checklists to compare with new applications. Board members noted the absence of critical elements like steep slopes in the documents under review. There was consensus on the importance of making the process more transparent and streamlined for applicants. Members highlighted the necessity of property inspections as part of the review process.

Concerns about redundancy in the application forms were raised, particularly regarding the repeated listing of the application type. Members discussed the potential benefits of offering online PDF formats for application documents to make them more accessible to applicants. The conversation also touched on the need for a cohesive set of documents and the importance of consolidating all comments and documentation related to the application process. The board acknowledged the necessity of gathering all pertinent documents for future meetings.