HOLMDEL – An engineering firm has presented details to the public of an agreement between Holmdel and Monmouth County that will see the two government entities exchange parcels of land.
During the Nov. 27 meeting of the Township Committee, representatives of T&M Associates discussed the deal that will see Holmdel give the county 115 acres at Cross Farm Park, 10 Longbridge Road, in exchange for a 13.8-acre parcel near Holmdel Park.
The township and the county announced the agreement in October.
The presentation by T&M Associates included details about the two properties, Holmdel’s recreation and open space parcels, the benefits of completing the land swap and the next steps in bringing the agreement to fruition.
Mayor Tom Critelli said the 13.8-acre property near 44 Longstreet Road could eventually be developed to accommodate a need for additional athletic fields. He said the parcel would remain undeveloped at this time.
On the township website, officials said, “Acquiring land near the intersection of Crawford’s Corner Road will increase right-of-way for future public safety improvements to the intersection and better access to Holmdel High School … The township’s acquisition will also create additional parkland for active recreation in the heart of Holmdel near the high school and the William R. Satz Middle School.
“In order to complete the land swap, the township and county will conduct title searches and feasibility and environmental studies. An application will then be made to (the New Jersey) Green Acres (program) for a Recreation and Open Space Administrative Transfer.
“A closing will then take place to finalize the swap. Because this is an administrative transfer, there is no cost for the land and the township is only responsible for its own closing costs (survey, deed, title insurance, investigations, etc.),” officials said.
Critelli previously called the land swap a fair trade. He said the 115 acres at Cross Farm Park that will eventually be under the jurisdiction of the county will be preserved. The mayor said the county will preserve an historic building on the property.
“It’s not merely about the acreage, but the location of the parcel the township is receiving and the opportunity the acquisition of that parcel provides us,” Critelli said. “The 13.8 acres is in the heart of our community and gives us options for traffic safety improvements, as well as possible recreational development.
“You also have to consider that the 115 acres we are trading to the county is an extension of the Thompson Park system and prior to this agreement that land was available for development, which we would prefer to avoid. The county also agreed to pay for all renovations to the historic building on the property at Cross Farm Park,” he said.
Asked why municipal officials did not consider further developing Cross Farm Park when seeking areas at which to construct athletic fields, which residents have said are necessary, Critelli said residents are opposed to the idea of further developing the property.
“We plan on making modest improvements to the existing fields based on recommendations received from the Holmdel Youth Athletic Association,” he said.
At present, the property at 10 Longbridge Road consists of a baseball diamond, a concession stand, lacrosse fields, a playground, a soccer field and a pavilion.
Critelli previously said county officials took an interest in the land swap “because it provides an opportunity to expand the Monmouth County Park System and bolsters protection of the Swimming River Reservoir.”