New application being sought for property
By: Matt Kirdahy
The Township Committee wants to make changes to an application to Middlesex County asking for the Barclay properties to be preserved as farmland.
Committee members approved a motion to withdraw and resubmit a Farmland Preservation application with the county for the two parcels by a vote of 3-1 on Monday.
Mayor Pari Stave, Committeewoman Becky Beauregard and Committeeman Richard Stannard were in favor of changing the current farmland application.
Committeeman Michael Mayes opposed the change. Committeeman Alan Danser abstained because he currently farms and rents the land from the township.
The Barclay properties account for 190 acres in western Cranbury, 60 acres in Barclay North and 130 acres in Barclay South. The property was acquired in October 2000 for approximately $3.5 million or $18,500 per acre.
Through the Farmland Preservation program, landowners may sell the development rights to their property in exchange for a deed restriction on the land that ensures it will be used only for farming.
The committee had to move on a new application by March 30 if it wanted to be eligible for the next funding round. Now the township is scheduled to hear on the new application by summer 2004.
The new application calls for subdividing a portion of the south parcel along the stream corridor to allow for passive recreation and creating a lot for the construction of a farmhouse on the north parcel.
Mayor Stave said the lot on the north parcel would enhance the property’s viability for sale. The subdivision on the south parcel would be designated for public passive recreation.
The township applied to qualify to have the land preserved in March 2001. A lawsuit with the former owners has delayed the town from gaining approval on the farmland application and from gaining clear title. Clear title would allow the township to sell the property to the highest bidder once the farmland application is approved.
The township negotiated a deal in June 2000 to purchase the land. However, Carl Poling and John C. Poling filed a lawsuit against the township claiming that as owners of 19 percent of the property, the sale defrauded them of $500,000.
In July 2001, a lawsuit against Cranbury was dismissed but later appealed and the township has yet to gain clear title of the property. Clear title would permit the township to sell the land.
The Polings have approximately two more weeks to appeal and that could delay the new application.
Committee members are moving forward on the new application regardless.
The subdivision near the stream on the south parcel was a valuable asset to the town, but not all felt it was worth the risk of losing money the township could receive this summer.
"I just don’t see that it is worth taking the risk when the township is already scheduled to receive money in the current application," Mr. Mayes said. "Since the value of the property has gone up in market value, the township could actually make a small profit."
In the time that the township has waited to gain clear title, the value of the Barclay properties has increased. When the township is ready to sell the property, it could see $600,000 more than it anticipated, according to the committee.
According to Mr. Mayes, a new application means the township would also have to wait longer to sell the land and might receive less money in the sale if the market value lowers during the next year.
Mr. Stannard agreed with Mr. Mayes regarding the money but said that wasn’t reason enough to hold back what could be "an asset" for future generations.
"Yes, we might lose money, as subject to market values, but we’d be gaining something for generations to come," Mr. Stannard said. "I think we should withdraw the current application and resubmit it with future generations in mind."