The Delbarton School wants to construct a lighted stadium across the street from Jockey Hollow historic site in Morristown, N.J. (Warren Bobrow)

Dear Preservation 911,

George Washington could never have imagined it. The pristine environment of the Washington Valley in Morris Township, N.J., has survived the Continental Army, plans for a reservoir, and a proposal for a jail. Now local Benedictine monks have signed on with a commercial developer to build a Continuing Care Retirement Community development in the valley. A crucial battle is coming to the Morris Township Committee, which will vote on Sept. 4 to approve or disapprove the necessary zoning change for this development.

The proposed community would house wealthy retirees looking for a quiet home in the heart of this unspoiled and historically vibrant landscape, and it would function as a highly profitable gated community. With entrance costs of up to $400,000 and annual fees of about $60,000, only rich retirees will be able to afford the "lifetime of security" in this development.

Less than an hour from New York City, the land the monks want to develop neighbors Morristown National Historical Park, and the entire valley was the site where Gen. Washington's army camped during the winters of 1779-1780. Without the logistical, geographical, and topographical military advantages this site provided Washington and his troops, the army would probably not have been successful in its campaigns of 1780 and 1781.

How will this development affect the park? Well, the high-rise apartment complex that will house the majority of the community’s independent-living units will be adjacent to the park, visible from all angles. Furthermore, the monks run an elite private high school—the Delbarton School—and have included in their rezoning proposal a request to build a large sports facility that would abut the entrance to the park. The cumulative effect of the development will contaminate the natural beauty and historical integrity of the area.

The retirement community would be built on land that is also of the utmost environmental importance. It has been designated as such by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey State Planning Commission. Rezoning would not only allow the monks’ development; it would open the entire valley up to builders.

The Morris Township committee’s public hearing on Sept. 4 could be a turning point for the monks, who have encountered nothing but resistance so far. We need to fill the Township committee hearing room with concerned citizens willing to speak up for our dwindling environmental and historical resources. Please join us! For more information, e-mail Julia Somers at jmsomers@greatswamp.org.

Sincerely,

Ben Kingsley
Great Swamp Watershed Association

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