Click on this image to view a map of what is proposed. 2004 will see more
discussion. The Florham Park last year (2003) to discuss the GDP was
cancelled. Stay tuned for what's next.EXXON ORDINANCE/General Development Plan (GDP)
As of the beginning of 2004 the future of this large tract of land is still uncertain. The Borough of Madison, Chatham, and Chatham Twp. are continuing with their legal challenges against the plans of Florham Park to dramatically increase the intensity of development of this property. On the bright side, there are many changes in mayors and other elected officials, so perhaps with these new leaders neighbors will be able to find an agreeable solution.
To recap the status of the Exxon Ordinance: On 19-Dec-2002 Florham Park again passed their ordinance governing the zoning of the Exxon Campus. They made a minor amendment restricting impervious coverage and another regarding "future" storm water management. There is not much change from the original. Madison, Chatham Twp. and Chatham Boro are continuing their vigorous opposition to the ordinance based on the negative impact on the local water supply, local traffic, and other concerns.
27-Aug-2002: A General Development Plan (GDP) for the Florham Park Exxon Campus was filed. Lots of maps are available. Click for details.
Click on this image to view a map of what is proposed. 2004 will see more
discussion. The Florham Park last year (2003) to discuss the GDP was
cancelled. Stay tuned for what's next.
On 19-Mar-2002 the Florham Park Council approved an ordinance (old version) guiding the development of the Exxon Campus. Hundreds of residents from Florham Park, Madison, Morris Twp., Chatham Twp., Chatham Boro, and Morristown voiced their concerns to no avail. In October 2002 the Court responded to a challenge from neighboring towns and demanded the ordinance be revisited. (See above)
Recent "Phase 1" plans are shown below. There are lots of profound concerns and plenty of unanswered questions!
Click on this to see the campus plans.
Click here to see possible traffic impacts.
It's disappointing that despite compelling testimony concerning water and environmental issues and regional traffic concerns, the Florham Park Council did not strengthen the ordinance in any significant way to address these concerns, and voted on 19-Dec-2002 to adopt the ordinance. (Florham Park has not posted a new electronic version with the minor changes -- we'll try to get a copy.) Neighbors are left feeling they have little voice compared with the powerful behind-the-scenes influence of developers, which by their own admission, apparently guided the crafting of the ordinance.
In 2004, we're renewing our efforts to find a better way forward with a regional solution that benefits everyone.
On 25-Sep-2002 speakers at Madison's town hall discussed a history of the area, traffic and environmental issues, and provided detail about the Florham Park ordinance governing the development of the campus and review the pending legal action by Madison, Chatham Boro, and Chatham Township challenging the ordinance. Many insightful questions and comments were shared.
For pictures, click here.
For press coverage, click here.
Click here to download a high-resolution map of the Exxon campus -- it's about 1/2 Mbyte in TIFF 5.0 format.
Our PowerPoint presentations have grown a bit too big to download for most folks. Your webmaster is working on a solution.
Read the fascinating "History of the Exxon Property" by Dick Plambeck.
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