Town to keep Barclay tract house-free

Committee pushes to preserve area as farmland.

By: Matt Kirdahy
   The view to the west from Barclay North will remain clear.
   The Township Committee voted unanimously Monday to move ahead with an application to have the Barclay North parcel preserved as farmland, without a provision that allows for the construction of a building on the land.
   The house would have fronted North Main Street and had access to Barclay Street, next to the 60-acre Barclay North property.
   Committeeman Alan Danser abstained because he currently rents and farms the land from the township.
   The Barclay properties account for 190 acres in western Cranbury, 60 acres in Barclay North and 130 acres in Barclay South. The property was acquired in October 2000 for approximately $3.5 million or $18,500 per acre. The north parcel is adjacent to North Main Street, just north of the historic village.
   Residents said Monday they were concerned that if the farmer who purchases the parcel decides to erect farm buildings to work the land, then that would jeopardize the view as well.
   Mayor Stave said there were no plans on whether the township will sell the land or lease it once it enters Farmland Preservation.
   The township needed to notify the Middlesex County Agricultural Board by June 20 whether or not it wanted a provision included in a Farmland Preservation application that allowed for the construction of a house on the property.
   The committee voted 3-1 to resubmit the application with the county in March so that it could set aside property for the building.
   Prior to Monday’s meeting, Mayor Pari Stave said the committee wanted to make sure that a future house doesn’t obstruct the view of the North property.
   For the sake of preserving that view, the committee listened to the residents’ requests and nixed the idea of a house being allowed on the parcel.
   "It seems that’s how best to protect the viewshed," Committeeman Michael Mayes said.
   Township Engineer Cathy Marcelli and Township Planner Harvey Moskowitz said the site on North Main Street with access to Barclay Street would be the best place for a house on the North parcel should the township vote that way