By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Montgomery Township Committee has introduced a $1.2 million bond ordinance to buy a 34-acre parcel of land on Route 518, near Hollow Road, for open space preservation.
Mayor Ed Trzaska said township officials became aware of the property when for-sale signs appeared on it last month.
Township officials contacted the property owner, who was considering selling it to a developer, and made an offer to buy it that was accepted, Mayor Trzaska said.
Township officials are pleased at the prospect of the impending purchase. The land will be used for passive recreation.
"This is a critical tract of land for several reasons," Mayor Trzaska said. "First and foremost, it is an amazing wooded lot on one of our major roads."
"The view-shed it provides is quintessential Montgomery, and adds to the character of our community," he said.
Mayor Trzaska said the land is partially in the sewer service area and could easily have been developed for housing. It is also near undeveloped land that is on the township’s priority list for preservation.
"With the pending purchase of this land, we have completed five preservation agreements in the past 12 months, totaling over 200 acres of additional open space," Mayor Trzaska said.
"One of our core governing principles is to protect our town’s rural character. It’s always exciting to be adding to our open space portfolio," he said.
A public hearing on the bond ordinance is set for Township Committee’s June 15 meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. It will be held in the courtroom at the Municipal Building.
