Land would be added to the Plainsboro Preserve.
By: Gwen Runkle
PLAINSBORO More than 90 acres could be added to the Plainsboro Preserve if the township is able to finalize a deal with developer Calton Homes for the purchase of the property in the northern section of the township.
A 126-acre property lies northwest of the 750-acre preserve and about 30 acres of the site is expected to be used for the proposed alignment of Route 92, which would stretch between the N.J. Turnpike and Route 1, said Township Administrator Patrick Guilfoyle.
"We want to acquire this property because we would like to continue to add to our open-space inventory," he said. "It also makes a natural extension for the preserve and we’d like to minimize any further development in the area."
Current zoning would permit about 70 single-family homes to be built on the property if the township does not purchase it, he said.
Although the Township Committee signed a tentative purchase agreement last week with Calton Homes, the price has not yet been determined, Mr. Guilfoyle said.
Mayor Peter Cantu estimated the cost of the property could reach $5 million.
"Right now we are in the process of appraising the property," Mr. Guilfoyle said. "The state Green Acres program said it would fund a portion of the project up to $2 million and in order to be eligible for this funding, we need to appraise and determine the fair market value.
"Once we get this, we’ll present it to Calton Homes and work out an agreement between this and what they are asking."
The N.J. Turnpike Authority also has said it would partially fund the purchase if the Route 92 alignment is approved, Mr. Guilfoyle said. And if the road is constructed, the Turnpike Authority will provide pathways to connect the Plainsboro Preserve to the property, he said.
The township has 90 days to finalize the agreement with Calton Homes and the township would consider rezoning the area if the deal falls through, Mr. Guilfoyle said.

