Public hearing scheduled on parkland diversion proposal

Monmouth County representatives will hold a public hearing concerning proposed improvements to Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Halls Mill Road and Edinburgh Drive, and the replacement of bridges F-30 and F-59 on Elton-Adelphia Road and F-29 on Halls Mill Road.

The public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Freehold Township municipal building, Room 114, at 1 Municipal Plaza. The hearing will be held in accordance with state law, according to a press release from the county.

The purpose of the Dec. 21 hearing will only be to hear comments about the open space diversion request. A public information session regarding the entire Halls Mills Road project will be scheduled in the future, according to the press release.

The county has filed a request with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres program, proposing to divert 0.484 acres of Manasquan River Greenway in connection with the improvements to Elton-Adelphia Road, Halls Mill Road and Edinburgh Drive, and the replacement of bridges F-30 and F-59 on Elton-Adelphia Road and F-29 on Halls Mill Road.

As compensation for the proposed diversion, the county is proposing to add 0.739 acres to the Manasquan River Greenway as replacement land, according to the press release.

Information about the requested diversion of parkland project is available for review at the Freehold Township municipal clerk’s office; at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan; and at the Green Acres program office, 501 E. State St., Trenton.

Written comments about the diversion request may be directed to Fred Passeggio, Project Manager, Monmouth County Division of Engineering and Traffic Safety, Hall of Records Annex, 1 E. Main St, 3rd Floor, Freehold, NJ 07728.

Individuals submitting comments are asked to send a copy of their comments to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program, Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship, Mail Code 501-01, 501 E. State St., P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0402.

Public comments regarding the county’s diversion request will be accepted during the public hearing on Dec. 21 and through Jan. 4.