Church could be replaced by 33 senior townhomes

The Hanover Twp. Committee will consider an ordinance at its Feb. 26 meeting that would change the zoning on church property at a prominent intersection where a developer has proposed building up to 33 units of age-restricted housing.

A vote on the ordinance, introduced at the committee’s Jan. 22 meeting, likely will follow public discussion.

Passage of the ordinance could clear the way for a multifamily townhouse zone at the property of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, which owns a triangular plot of 6 acres at the corner of Whippany Road and Park Avenue. The church closed in October, according to its website, and the property is up for sale.

Morris County developer Joseph Forgione of JMF Properties in Cedar Knolls has proposed building age-restricted housing there. The zoning of the property currently allows for up to 14 detached single-family homes or public and semi-public buildings for uses such as churches or schools.

Former township mayor Len Fariello, who opposes the plan, said he submitted a petition to the township administration with sufficient resident signatures opposing the ordinance to trigger, by township regulations, the need for a committee supermajority to pass the ordinance.

Township Administrator Joseph Giorgio said Friday that after examining the petition, Fariello satisfied the requirements of the supermajority provision by obtaining signatures — about 22 in all — representing ownership of at least 32 percent of the landmass surrounding the property.

The supermajority will require four of the five committee votes to pass the ordinance. Mayor Ron Francioli and Committeemen John Ferramosca and Robert Brueno voted to introduce the ordinance, while George Coppola and Ace Gallagher voted against it.

“Most residents say the corner is too highly visible for such a building use,” Fariello wrote. “Most would prefer single-family homes rather than multifamily buildings. Many said they would not be adverse to a church or temple, some thought it was an ideal location for a school or a childcare center, and many suggested the township acquire the church for a community center, and the property for park purposes, using Morris County and Hanover open-space funds to buy it.”

Giorgio added the township is sending letters to all of the residents in the area, including those who did not sign the petition, to make sure they are fully informed.

“If the zone change is adopted by the township committee, it would permit the construction of 33 townhomes for occupancy by individuals 55 years of age and older,” the township letter stated. “The development would be deed-restricted in perpetuity so that the townhouses cannot be converted to permit anyone younger to reside in the units.”

Francioli declined to discuss the ordinance until he gets a chance to discuss it with the public on Feb. 26. Gallagher also declined to comment before the meeting.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-428-6627; wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com.