The Millburn Planning Board is set to vote on a settlement that would end federal litigation between the Chai Center for Living Judaism and the township.
The vote, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m., tops a packed agenda that also includes a proposed township-wide ban on data centers and an amended site plan for 150 John F. Kennedy Parkway.
The Chai Center resolution is listed as App# 24-003, the Whispering Woods Settlement Agreement, covering the organization's property at 165 Old Short Hills Road. It calls for preliminary and final site plan approval with associated variances, according to the Planning Board's agenda.
The Chai Center, a Jewish community organization in Short Hills, has been locked in federal court with the township and the Planning Board across two lawsuits. Board minutes show the Planning Board entered executive session to discuss the litigation at least five times in 2026, including meetings on Jan. 7, Feb. 18, March 4, March 18 and May 20. The Township Committee posted a signed settlement agreement, dated Aug. 12, as part of its Aug. 11 meeting packet.
The specific terms of the settlement have not been made public in available township records.
Data center ban and other ordinance reviews
The board will also conduct a Master Plan consistency review of Ordinance 2770-26, which would prohibit data centers in all zoning districts across Millburn. Under New Jersey law, the Planning Board must review proposed zoning ordinances for consistency with the township's Master Plan after the Township Committee introduces them.
The Township Committee first took up data center regulations at its June 18 meeting. The consistency review is a required step before the ordinance can advance to a final vote.
Two additional ordinances are also up for Master Plan review: Ordinance 2768-26, covering accessory structures and mechanical equipment in multifamily, nonresidential and mixed-use developments, and Ordinance 2769-26, addressing restaurant and food-service uses and pet care and grooming in the B-3 zoning district.
JFK Parkway site plan
JFK-SH Phase II LLC, listed as Upton, is seeking approval for an amended preliminary and final major site plan at 150 John F. Kennedy Parkway. No project details beyond the listing were available.
How to attend
The meeting will be held at the Millburn Board of Education's Education Center Building, 434 Millburn Ave. The next Planning Board meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the same location.
