Morristown's Speedwell Avenue Redevelopment Nears Approval

(Photo courtesy Dean Marchetto/MorristownGreen.com)

Morristown’s Speedwell Avenue redevelopment project appears to be heading towards approval.  As reported by Maria Pfeifer in MorristownGreen.com, the Planning Board directed special counsel to prepare a resolution approving Phase 1 on the redevelopment plan, which calls for construction of residential units along Speedwell Avenue and Early Street.

One bone of contention was that the to-be approved plan does not address the historical traffic issues at the Spring, Early and Speedwell intersection.  But it appears that the Town would rather jump-start the project now and deal with the traffic issues at a later date.

Its unclear whether the redeveloper has acquired all private property that might be needed to accomplish this redevelopment project.  Of course, absent agreement to sell, the redeveloper would have to request that the Town authorize its power of eminent domain and institute a condemnation action to acquire the private property.  Court proceedings emanating out of a condemnation action are designed to protect the private property rights of owners and allow the property owners a forum to dispute the value of their property and/or question the propriety of taking private property for a redevelopment use.