News & Updates

The Drive for Better Planning in Morris Plains Continues

On December 18, 2024, despite opposition by more than 1,300 residents, five members of the Morris Plains Planning Board approved the construction of a two-lane drive-through restaurant on Speedwell Avenue.

Shortly thereafter, residents within the immediate vicinity of the property challenged the approval in Superior Court. On January 22, 2026, the Court issued an Order denying them relief.

Plan Better Morris Plains strongly disagrees with the Order. However, we recognize that the judge's decision reflects the court’s tendency to give wide latitude to Planning Board decisions. It does not mean the Planning Board's action was correct.

Plan Better Morris Plains believes that allowing a two-lane drive-through in the center of our Borough, on a residential street and across from two schools, was an egregious error in planning judgment. It will impact the safety, environment, and quality of life in the community for generations.

In February 2025, in the wake of the damaging decision to approve this project, Plan Better Morris Plains—a nonpartisan, resident-led, volunteer organization—was established to ensure better-informed development and planning decisions as well as transparency surrounding the process.

The surge in resident activism since our founding has been uplifting. Our volunteers have become a vital resource for neighbors wanting to understand the decisions being made on their behalf. We coordinate a volunteer effort to live stream important Borough meetings. We successfully advocated for the Borough Council's decision to remove drive-through restaurants as a permitted use in the B2 zone moving forward. We regularly meet and confer with organizations and residents throughout the Borough.

In 2026, Plan Better Morris Plains will continue in its mission. We will advocate for a reexamination of Ordinance 14-2023, a robust review of the Morris Plains Master Plan, and building a louder, more informed public voice.

The future of Morris Plains must reflect the community’s desire for a safe, sustainable, walkable and vibrant town.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Members of the Borough's boards and committees make important decisions affecting the quality of life in Morris Plains. At the November 13, 2025 Council meeting, Plan Better Morris Plains asked the Mayor to choose broadly from the wide range of talented and interested residents in town.

Read our statement HERE and fill out a volunteer form HERE. In almost all cases, board and committee appointments are made by the Mayor in time for the Borough's annual reorganization in January.

DUST IN THE WIND: This video, taken by a resident on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, shows demolition at 415 Speedwell Avenue. Per New Jersey Administrative Code , demolition sites should be watered down beforehand and other precautions taken to mitigate dust and related serious respiratory health risks. Additionally, out of 23 samples that were taken for asbestos testing in April, 2025, 20 tested negative—but three went untested, leaving lingering questions.

Despite a public assurance from a Borough official that "there will be no dust," clouds of dust were visible over several days of demolition, with no Borough official on site to monitor or enforce the code.

The demolition site is just feet away from residential homes and across the street from Borough School and Joyful Noise Nursery School.

The incident reinforces residents' concerns about the Borough's ability to enforce noise, odor and environmental regulations for the planned two-lane drive-through project on Speedwell Avenue.

Planning Board Meetings

Upcoming Meetings

See announcements, meeting schedules, documents and more on the Morris Plains Borough website.

Meeting Videos

To see videos of Morris Plains Borough Council, Planning Board, and other meetings livestreamed and recorded by volunteers, visit the Morris Plains Development Discussion YouTube page.