Public hearing, adoption vote slated for committee’s May 22 meeting
By John Tredrea
Hopewell Township officials have introduced an ordinance that would allow the municipality to buy one of the few remaining tracts of land with significant development potential in the most densely populated part of the township.
The 70-acre tract, partly farmland and party wetlands, is owned by township resident Pamela Weidel. It is located off the western side of Route 31 near Denow Road, about a half-mile south of the Pennington Circle.
Last year, Beazer Homes was negotiating with Ms. Weidel and the township to build from 150-400 units depending on zoning and access to sewers, Mayor Vanessa Sandom said Tuesday on the land the township is now poised to buy. Beazer was the contract purchaser of the Weidel tract.
The Township Committee on Monday night unanimously introduced a bond ordinance under which the township would pay $5.5 million for the land. Under the proposed ordinance, which is scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote at the committee’s May 22 meeting, a $275,000 down payment and $5,225,000 bond ordinance would cover the cost of paying for the land.
Township attorney Steve Goodell said Monday that, under the proposed ordinance, the funds for the purchase would come from general municipal revenues as opposed to restricted revenues, such as those collected under the township’s open space tax.
"The land wouldn’t be purchased with open space or other restricted funds," Mr. Goodell said. He said this means that the use to which the Weidel tract would be put would be decided after the purchase is made, assuming it goes through.
Participating in that decision along with the Township Committee would be other township agencies, including the Planning Board. Public input would also be taken before a decision was made.
Mayor Sandom said Tuesday that no decision has been made on what to do with the land. "The township has not yet determined what it will do with the Weidel property. It will be purchased with general purpose bonds so as to provide maximum flexibility to the township in the future. Had we used open space or affordable housing funds, the use of the properties would have been restricted."

