Who we are

Rooted in Mendham.
Fighting for its future.

Friends of Mendham is a community-led group dedicated to ensuring that any future development of the Sisters of Christian Charity property is thoughtful, environmentally responsible, and historically sensitive.

Our goal is not to oppose housing — it is to advocate for smart planning that safeguards the environmental and historic legacy that defines Mendham, while responsibly meeting regional obligations.

What we stand for

Our 7 core goals

#1
Protect environmental integrity
Careful stewardship of headwaters, wetlands, steep slopes, mature tree canopy, and wildlife habitat to preserve water quality and long-term ecological health.
#2
Preserve historic character
Encourage preservation and adaptive reuse of historically significant structures and landscapes — honoring the site’s cultural, architectural, and community legacy.
#3
Support context-sensitive development
Advocate for development that is appropriately scaled, thoughtfully designed, and compatible with Mendham’s village character and surrounding neighborhoods.
#4
Ensure infrastructure readiness
Support thorough evaluation of wastewater capacity, stormwater management, traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, and public services before any approvals are granted.
#5
Uphold transparent, lawful planning
Promote open dialogue, public participation, and full compliance with municipal, county, and state planning standards — no shortcuts, no closed doors.
#6
Encourage collaborative solutions
Work constructively with local officials, planners, property owners, and residents to identify creative approaches that balance housing needs with stewardship.
#7
Preserve community legacy for future generations
Advance planning decisions that respect the property’s past while ensuring its future contributes positively to Mendham’s identity and long-term vitality. Because once these decisions are made, they cannot be undone.
Our story

Neighbors protecting
what matters most.

Friends of Mendham was founded by residents who recognized that a once-in-a-generation decision was being made about the Sisters of Christian Charity property — one of the most environmentally and historically significant sites in our community — without the level of planning, analysis, and public transparency it deserves.

We are planners, lawyers, environmentalists, parents, and longtime residents. We are not anti-development. We are pro-process — because decisions made without proper analysis cannot be undone, and Mendham’s character is worth fighting for.

We work with planning experts, environmental professionals, and legal counsel to ensure that decisions are based on facts and data, the public is informed and engaged, and the Borough follows sound planning principles.

This is not about stopping progress.
It’s about ensuring progress is thoughtful, responsible, and sustainable.

Friends of Mendham · Mendham, NJ
Friends of Mendham

🌿 Member · NJ Highlands Coalition

Friends of Mendham has partnered with the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Highlands region’s water, land, and communities. All donations are tax-deductible.

Ready to help protect
Mendham?

Your donation directly powers our mission, funding legal counsel, grassroots outreach, and critical technical analysis from environmentalists, urban planners, and traffic engineers.

💚 Donate Now — Tax Deductible