By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
LAWRENCE — Trees and vegetation have been sprouting up on the empty 1.8-acre lot at 125 Roxboro Road, but if neighbors could have their way, the parcel would become the latest addition to Lawrence Township’s list of preserved open spaces.
About two dozen neighbors — most of whom live on Fieldboro Drive and Roxboro Road — appealed to Township Council Tuesday night to buy the land, which belongs to developer Edward Bucci Builders Inc., and turn it into a passive recreation area.
But Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun said he would not recommend that Township Council purchase the parcel, citing the cost to maintain it and the proximity of recreation areas that belong to the township or the school district within a half-mile radius of 125 Roxboro Road.
The developer received Planning Board approval to create six building lots on the property in 2011 and subsequently demolished the existing house and garage on the property, but thus far, no new homes have been built.
David Bosted, who serves on the Shade Tree Advisory Committee, told Township Council that the advisory committee had voted unanimously to recommend the property’s acquisition by the township and make it a neighborhood park.
“I want to emphasize the need to balance development and environmental protection,” Mr. Bosted said, pointing to new development that includes the Auto Lenders dealership on Route 1, the soon-to-open Costco store on Quakerbridge Road and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’s office building under construction on Princeton Pike at Lewisville Road.
“Here is an inexpensive neighborhood park that no one will need to drive to. It is very walkable and pedestrian-friendly, but there is abundant parking if anyone from North Lawrence wants to drive to Roxboro Road to experience it,” Mr. Bosted said.
Mr. Bosted said there is state funding as well as Mercer County matching funding available to pay for the purchase. The township also has its own open space fund, based on the municipal open space tax, he said.
Fieldboro Drive resident Don Monticello said he supported Mr. Bosted’s proposal, noting that the property is an “eye-sore” and has not been maintained. Squeezing six houses on the parcel would look “unattractive” and would drive down property values, he said.
When Mr. Monticello asked how many audience members agreed with the proposal for the township to buy the land, nearly two dozen people stood up. He asked Mr. Krawczun about the next steps that would need to be taken to buy the land.
Mr. Krawczun replied that three appraisals would be needed to determine the value, if state Green Acres Program money would be used to fund the purchase. Then, the township would have to negotiate a price with the property owner.
The issue, however, is more than just the cost of buying the land — it’s about maintaining the parks and open space that the township already owns, Mr. Krawczun said. The Department of Public Works’ Parks Division has eight employees, of whom six are assigned to take care of the parks. The township has resorted to hiring outside contractors to help out.
“My recommendation to Township Council is not to buy it,” Mr. Krawczun said. He added that the last time he spoke to the developer, there was no interest in selling the Roxboro Road property “except for the right price.”
Councilman Michael Powers said he understood that the developer has one possible signed contract for a house and that if there is a second signed contract, construction on the new houses would begin.
But the neighbors tried to convince Township Council that buying the land would be good. One neighbor said the group would get together and pay to maintain it. If the land is developed, the opportunity to buy it and preserve it would be lost, added Fieldboro Drive resident Keith Baker.
Mr. Bosted pointed to the Friends of the Lawrence Nature Center, who help to maintain the open space property at the end of Drexel Avenue. “I know it can work on a larger property,” he said. The nature center is more than 30 acres.
Mr. Krawczun urged the residents to “step back.” Buying the property is easy, but what happens after it is acquired is difficult. The neighbors may come together and maintain the property, he said, but “in my experience, it lasts a short amount of time. It just doesn’t work.”
