Politics & Government

Planning Board Defends 'In Need of Rehabilitation' Designation

The body also OKs a new addition to Morris Corporate Center campus.

At the Monday night Planning Board meeting, Township Council and board member Michael dePierro again spoke out against a planning mechanism he said would "destroy the quality of life in Parsippany." 

As a council member, dePierro approved giving the designation "in need of rehabilitation" to the lot at 272 Parsippany Rd. During the Planning Board's recent consideration of a proposed mixed-use development for that spot, one that would have put a bank and five-story, 50-unit upscale condominium residence on a little more than one acre of land, the councilman changed his mind. Though the board ultimately decided not to approve the project, he waged a one-man campaign to do away with the "rehabilitation" designation.

His most recent attempt to sway his colleagues came at the end of the Monday meeting.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I don't like that designation," he said forcefully. "This designation legalizes spot zoning on little pieces of land and [helps developers skirt] what's allowed in the master plan and sets a dangerous precedent."

DePierro offered the example of a hypothetical Fortune 500 company with a wish to build a tall building in Parsippany.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"All we have to do is break a few [zoning] rules and then later, another one comes," he warned. "I'm afraid this will lead us down a path that will destroy the quality of life in Parsippany.

"We have variances and waivers. Withdraw this designation. Use the master plan," dePierro said.

Mayor James Barberio objected.

"I don't think the designation does that," he said. "It is intended for deteriorated, underutilized properties. To throw it out would be irresponsible."

The mayor pointed out that a number of residential properties in Lake Parsippany and Lake Hiawatha already stretch the limits of zoning codes. He warned that when it comes to business development, residents will have to open their minds to the need for change.

"People say, 'I don't want change.' I've lived in Parsippany-Troy Hills for 47 years, and it's changed a lot," Barberio said. "I understand your concern, but this isn't going to set a precedent. We have the master plan to fall on. It's up to the Planning Board to make the hard decisions when they are needed."

Board Attorney Anne Marie Rizzuto noted that the body did exactly that when it turned down the proposed bank/condo project and reminded those assembled that the designation attaches to a property, not to a particular builder or developer.

"With all respect to Councilman dePierro, the legislature saw fit to allow the designation. Many municipalities use it with great success," Rizzuto said. "It is not possible for a township to ignore the law. You would be in contravention of state statute."

The mayor argued that the township must change its outlook and consider the big picture and its long-term future when it comes to development.

"The economy in Parsippany is not moving," Barberio said. "Our housing stock... People say we have condos already, but those are converted garden apartments, they aren't true condos. They don't have energy efficiency and other amenities" that attract new ratepayers.

Board member Thomas Dinsmore also defended the designation.

"We did set a precedent by saying no to a developer whose project wasn't right for the property and staying within the master plan," he said.

DePierro ultimately gave in.

"I stand corrected," he said. "The board attorney has explained it to me and I'm backing off."

In other business, the Planning Board gave initial approval to a plan to add an atrium to the Morris Corporate Center IV. 

The [center's four] buildings look interconnected, but they're not," said attorney Robert Garofalo. "The developer wants to create an entrance foyer atrium to connect the buildings."

In testimony before the board, engineer and planner Joseph Fleming of Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor of Warren described the center as "just gorgeous--the front lawn, the stone wall... It's class A office space."

Fleming mentioned six areas of improvements the project seeks to make, including installing a guard house where visitors will be screened before entering the complex, the glass atrium, retaining walls to connect with security fencing around the property and a four-level parking garage that would add 590 new parking spaces.

Landscape architect and planner John McDonough testified that this fourth section of the Morris Corporate Center would become an "important part of the employment fabric of Parsippany."

McDonough went through a list of variances that developers needed the Planning Board to approve. These included height (the building would be 49.49 feet tall, just over the 45 feet allowed by ordinance, but within the allowed 10-foot threshhold), fencing height and setback (a 6-foot fence surrounding the perimeter that will have less setback than the 100 feet called for by law), signage (the plan calls for directional and monument signs that exceed the number and size allowed under the ordinance).

McDonough went through each variance need individually to explain to the board that none of the items that exceed legal limits does so egregiously and that all work together to maximize the property's beauty and efficiency.

"I think that's good planning," he said.

After offering questions regarding using bird-avoidance glass for the atrium (the developer agreed) and possible traffic impact (Board Planner Meth said impact would be minimal), the Planning Board gave unanimous approval to bring a formal resolution forward for the corporate center project. That resolution should be voted on during the board's Aug. 1 meeting. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here