Just Where in Holmdel is the Township-Owned Land?
Resident Larry Jackel created a map showing nearly all of the publicly-held land.
In an effort to close a budget gap somewhere between $2.5 and $3 million, the Holmdel Township Committee is eyeing the sale of township-owned land.
Currently being discussed is a section of about a dozen acres on Cross Farm in the southern end of the township, bordering Colts Neck; and three wooded lots along Plum Lane, in the northern end, bordering Hazlet.
But that is not the only township-owned land in Holmdel. Using New Jersey State Geographic Information System data and Google Maps, resident Larry Jackel drew up a map of nearly all the township-owned parcels. (He left out schools and municipal facilities, stormwater detention basins, as well as the large Ramanessin section of Holmdel Park, which is owned by a county consortium which includes Holmdel.) Some of these parcels have deed restrictions that would limit their sale. His information sources are dated 2008.
rita press
4:09 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
It doesn't matter what part of the country you live in similiar battles are happening
every day. I live in Florida where are Governor and Republican legislature have taken
away all the tools available to fight for residents rights. Maybe you can connect the dots, follow the money of who are the big financial donors to those making the decisions.
Robert Way
10:16 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012
I'd just like to thank Larry for putting this together, it really serves to put in perspective what is at stake relevant to the overall footprint of the Township.
As an aside, the Township purchased the F&F Nursery land back in 2005, how much did we pay for that? We also sold the development rights to the county, how much did we get paid for that? Being that we purchased it from F&F Nurseries Inc. and they are still operating that business on the land, is it still generating the tax revenue it was before it was sold?
http://www.visitmonmouth.com/upload/PR_HolmdelFarmPres_101807.pdf
Martin B. Brilliant
4:27 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Since it's public land, the township gets no tax revenue, but the way the market usually works it would get rental payments. But according to http://ind.gmnews.com/news/2010-10-28/Letters/Holmdels_deputy_mayor_states_his_case.html there's a ten year lease at zero rental. It would be interesting to know how that was negotiated.
Robert Way
6:09 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thanks for linking to that article Martin. I am assuming the nursery was purchased with open space funds and probably in the amount of roughly $2M. Any idea what that land mass was generating from F&F when it was an actual ratable?
Martin B. Brilliant
10:42 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
None whatever, Robert. I think farmland gets a lower tax rate and I understand the purchase and subsequent actions were supported by grants, so the package as a whole was a good deal at the time. I tried to get more detail but according to the TC minutes all discussions of the purchase were in closed session.