Our families chose to settle in the tranquil neighborhoods of The Summit, Rolling Hills, and Butterworth, in Morristownship, NJ, with the ideal of building a future for our children amidst a community that values harmony and safety. Here, we have invested not just in property but in the dreams and aspirations for our children's future. The proposed development of a 100% affordable housing project threatens to dismantle the very fabric of our community.

We cherish the small neighborhood feel that we have painstakingly cultivated, where neighbors greet each other by name and children play safely on quiet streets. The character of our neighborhood reflects the contributions and sacrifices of its residents, who pay significant taxes to sustain this environment. The proposed project would alter our neighborhood dynamics, impacting not only our property values but also the quality of life we have worked so hard to maintain.

The increased population density will inevitably bring more traffic to our already busy streets, particularly Ketch and West Hanover. As it stands, the traffic poses a danger to our children who walk to school and play in the neighborhood. Introducing a large-scale housing development in this small area will exacerbate these issues, compromising safety and potentially leading to a rise in traffic-related accidents. Furthermore, the potential for increased crime associated with concentrated affordable housing raises serious concerns.

The financial burden on our community is another pressing concern. The development of a 100% affordable housing project could lead to increased property taxes to cover the costs of additional municipal services, such as schools, public transportation, or emergency services, required to support a higher population density. In similar cases, communities have faced tax increases when property values stagnate or decline due to concentrated affordable housing developments, straining local budgets to maintain existing services. Without a clear plan for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to offset potential revenue losses, residents of The Summit and Butterworth could face a significant tax burden to subsidize this project.

The proposed 100% affordable housing project threatens to dismantle the very fabric of our community by clearing the beautiful forest across from Manor and Ketch Road, backing up throughout Butterworth, and irreversibly damaging both the aesthetic views and the ecological balance we hold dear. This forest is not just a backdrop; it is a vital ecosystem that supports local wildlife, improves air quality, mitigates noise pollution, and helps regulate temperatures in our area. Removing these trees for a large-scale housing development would strip away these benefits, leaving our community with diminished views, increased environmental degradation, and a loss of the natural heritage that makes our neighborhoods so special.

Adding to our concern, the builders’ attorneys have sent certified letters, requiring residents to be home to sign for them, notifying us that the developers are presenting their site plan to the board for consideration in just 10 days, on July 21, 2025. This deliberately short notice leaves our community with insufficient time to organize and express our extreme concerns about the proposed development. With travel, work, and other commitments, attending the board meeting on such short notice is challenging for many residents. This rushed timeline appears designed to limit our ability to voice opposition and protect our neighborhood.

Efforts to integrate affordable housing should not come at the expense of long-standing residential communities. The presence of existing low-income housing options in our vicinity suggests that a more balanced approach is needed. We urge local government officials and developers to reconsider placing such a concentrated development in our neighborhood, and instead explore alternative locations that do not disrupt existing communities.

Sign this petition to voice your opposition to the proposed 100% affordable housing project and protect the integrity of our neighborhoods. Together, we can advocate for responsible urban planning that respects the investments and values of current residents while addressing housing needs in a balanced manner.