Negotiations continue on Cranbury property
By: Matt Kirdahy
Cranbury residents are mixed on what they would like to see done with the Barclay property.
The Barclay properties account for 190 acres in western Cranbury, 60 acres in Barclay North and 130 acres in Barclay South. Some residents say they want the land preserved, while others feel Barclay South should be subdivided and used for passive recreation.
The township would like the have the property preserved as farmland, but can’t do so until it receives ownership of the property.
The township negotiated a deal in June 2000 to purchase the property for $3.5 million with the intention of preserving it. However, Carl Poling and John C. Poling filed a lawsuit against the township claiming that as owners of 19 percent of the property, the sale defrauded them of $500,000.
The lawsuit was dismissed in July 2001, but was appealed and the township has yet to gain clear title of the property. Clear title would grant the sale of both parcels.
If the property receives Farmland Preservation funding, the township would sell the property in a public auction.
Recently, the township has considered subdividing a section of the Barclay South property along the stream corridor for passive recreation and allowing for the construction of a building on the north parcel.
Committee members have said a house would make the land more attractive to future buyers who plan to live and farm on the property.
To do that, the current Farmland Preservation application would need to be withdrawn and resubmitted with the proposed changes.
If the township pulls the application, it must resubmit it by March 24 in order to be eligible for the next round of approvals. As it stands, the township expects to hear on the current Farmland Preservation application this summer.
Through the Farmland Preservation Program, landowners may sell the development rights to their property in exchange for a deed restriction on the land that ensures it will be used only for farming.
The committee said the county could purchase the property’s development rights for $2.17 million. That money would be used to offset the land’s purchase price.
Public discussion on Barclay will resume March 4.
Connie Bauder of Petty Road would like to see a portion of Barclay South set aside for passive recreation and environmental preservation.
"I think it’s a great idea to designate that land (on Barclay South) for passive recreation," Ms. Bauder said. "But I would also like to see it preserved for the interests of bio-diversity."
Wayne Wittman of South Main Street opposed the possible subdivision because he viewed it as an unnecessary delay in the application process when litigation has stalled it enough already.
"I don’t want to see that parcel subdivided," Mr. Wittman said. "I’m not sure if the township would benefit enough to carve out such a small piece of land along the stream corridor just to delay the payment of money the township is expected to receive."
Joe Stasi of Old Cranbury Road was more concerned with the future development of a lot for a farmhouse on Barclay North. He said he wanted to be sure that the house would maintain the historic character of the surrounding area.
"I don’t want to see a modern day mansion be built on that property," Mr. Stasi said. "It would take away from the farm atmosphere and the town. That’s not what belongs there."
The township will eventually hire an appraiser to find out the value of the land. But that won’t be a concern until the township can sell the land at a public auction. The court appeal process has prolonged the township’s attempt to gain clear title thus far.

