A logo highlightng the 100 year birthday of Morris Plains
531 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains, NJ 07950     973-538-2224

Letter from the Mayor re McDonald’s

Dear Residents,
In a matter of transparency and keeping you informed, I am providing you the latest developments on the proposed McDonald’s site.
In December 2024, the Planning Board approved the Application for a drive-through McDonald’s restaurant on Speedwell Avenue, Route 202.  The approval was specifically conditioned on the Applicant obtaining approval from the NJDOT for the proposed access from Speedwell Avenue which was confirmed by our Traffic Engineer on several occasions during the hearing.  On August 25, 2026, a letter was sent to the Applicant’s Engineer that the NJDOT denied McDonald’s request for a waiver to allow left-turn access into the site without a dedicated left-turn lane.  That decision is solely within the jurisdiction of the NJDOT as was made clear in the Board’s Resolution.  Neither the Borough nor any of its Professionals received a copy of the denial.  On September 9, 2026, upon learning of this correspondence, I directed our Engineer to obtain a copy of the NJDOT denial letter from the Applicant’s Engineer which was then circulated to our Professionals. As it currently stands, in order to proceed, the proposed development would require: a revision of the NJDOT denial; or widening of Speedwell Avenue and addition of a left-turn lane; or an amendment of the Board’s Resolution of approval.  The manner in which it may seek to proceed is entirely up to the Applicant.
Jason C. Karr, Mayor

August 2026 Plains Talk – note corrections

Please note the following corrections to Plains Talk

  • The Block Dance is September 5th with a Rain Date of September 6th. (mailed PlainsTalk had incorrect date,but corrected in this version). We look forward to seeing you all there.
  • The 9/11 Memorial Service is on Friday September 11th not Sunday.
  • The Pumpkin Illumination is the 4th Annual not the 3rd and it’s on Friday October 30th not 24th.