Recent comments by Councilwoman Forbes argued that a major barrier to approaching Open Space Partnership of Somerset County for funding to preserve the Villa Maria site was the willingness of the developer to sell the property. This may not be as big of a barrier as she believes.
Economy casts a chill on sprawl
“We have never, ever had so many landowners, including builders with approved subdivisions, come to us willing to sell their property,” said David Epstein, executive director of the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, based in Boonton. “It’s stunning.”
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http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1232861169138810.xml&coll=1
3 responses so far ↓
Barbara Habeeb // January 27, 2009 at 12:15 am |
PRESERVE, of course!
Travis // January 28, 2009 at 12:35 pm |
I think that a problem with converting properties to parks in this economy is that towns or the county can’t afford to pay for the maintainance and upkeep of the parks. The towns and counties in NJ are downsizing and the people that they eliminate are the maintainance workers who cut the lawns and maintain parks.
Mark Williams // February 2, 2009 at 11:21 am |
Travis
Perhaps you are right and your point is well made with reference to these tough economic times. However, as has been projected with the national economy, we are all looking forward to an upturn by 2010 or 2011. I seriously doubt (keeping in mine the 3 recent postponements of the Villa Marie site development presentation to the Planning Board) funds will be allocated by Open Space Partnership of Somerset County tomorrow, next week or 6 months from now.
The federal Government stimulus funds will serve those best prepare to utilize the monies when they become available. Lets not wait for the economy to recover before we act…lets be prepared to act when it recovers.