Category: PLC Public Notices

Final Hearing–City of Newark, Essex County–Newark Riverfront Park–Diversion of Access Easement

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  City of Newark, Essex County

Park Name/Location:

Newark Riverfront Park

938-948 McCarter Highway
Block 1, Lot 60

950-964 McCarter Highway
Block 2, Lot 29

Proposed Action:

The City of Newark has applied for approval to grant a permanent access easement and a temporary construction easement through a portion of Green Acres encumbered parkland along McCarter Highway, designated on the tax maps of the City of Newark, Essex County, as Block 1, Lot 60 (938-948 McCarter Highway) and Block 2, Lot 29 (950-964 McCarter Highway), to allow vehicular and pedestrian access in connection with the redevelopment of the adjacent property, designated as Block 1, Lot 46.02 (formerly Block 1, Lots 30 and 46).

The proposed grantee of the easements is 930 McCarter Urban Renewal LLC, the City’s designated redeveloper under its River Public Access and Redevelopment Plan.  Consistent with the redevelopment plan, Block 1, Lot 46.02 will be developed with a mixed-use project that includes a 20% affordable housing component.  A copy of the redevelopment plan may be found here:  Newark Riverfront Redevelopment Plan

The proposed permanent access easement will affect an approximately 0.075-acre (3,260 square foot (“sf”)) portion of Block 1, Lot 60 and an approximately 0.080-acre (3,498 sf) portion of Block 2, Lot 29. The temporary construction easement will affect an approximately 0.114-acre (4,947 sf) portion of Block 1, Lot 60 and an approximately 0.011-acre (482 sf) portion of Block 2, Lot 29.

As compensation for the proposed diversion and temporary use, the City proposes to dedicate as parkland an approximately 0.621-acre (27,032 sf) portion of Mulberry Commons, designated as Block 167, Lot 10.02 (8-12 Columbia Street) and Block 166, Lot 1.03 (160-172 Mulberry Street), which the City previously designated for that purpose.

Maps of the proposed diversion area and proposed replacement land are here:

General Location Map
Map of Proposed Disposal Area
Map of Proposed Replacement Parcels

Hearing Date/Time:  Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6 PM

Hearing Location: 

This hearing will be held virtually on the Zoom platform using the following link:

https://NewarkNJ.zoom.us/j/86245437553?pwd=o2Vm2oeRJh3hyjEQGxIKvlSgLOfBFk.1

Meeting ID: 862 4543 7553

Passcode: 001789

Information about how to join the hearing by telephone is set forth in the attached public hearing notice.

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Thursday, February 27, 2025

Please see public notice linked above for information about how to submit written comments.  Emailed comments to the Department are preferred.  Please include “SHC 0714013 Newark Waterfront Park Diversion” in the subject line of any comments emailed to the Department.

City of Brigantine, Atlantic County–Brigantine Golf Links–Lease for Clubhouse Restaurant

 

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.13, the NJDEP has been asked to review the following proposed lease of Green Acres encumbered parkland:

Park Owner:  City of Brigantine

Park Name/Location:  

Brigantine Golf Links
1075 N Shore Dr, Brigantine, NJ 08203
https://www.brigantinegolf.com/ 

Block 8501, Lot 1

Proposed Lessee:  To be determined through public bid

Proposed Leased Premises:  Clubhouse restaurant at Brigantine Links Golf Course

Purpose of Lease:  To provide food service to golf course patrons on behalf of the City

Proposed Lease Term:  5 years (exact dates to be determined)

Proposed Compensation:  To be determined through public bid

For additional information, please contact: 

Tiger Platt
City of Brigantine Manager
Telephone:  (609) 266-7600 Ext. 212
Email: tplatt@brigantinenj.gov

Public Hearing–Minor Diversion/Disposal Application–Township of Woodbridge, Middlesex County–Merrill Park–Sewer Line Upgrade

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  Middlesex County

Parkland Name/Location: 

Merrill Park
Township of Woodbridge
Block 426, Lot 1.01

Description of Proposed Diversion/Disposal:  

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received an application from Middlesex County requesting approval to divert 0.088 acre of Merrill Park in connection with a project to upgrade an existing sanitary sewer that passes through the park to prevent sanitary sewer backups. The project will reroute the sewer away from a tributary of the South Branch of the Rahway River and away from a footbridge and the Fairview Avenue Bridge over this tributary to minimize impacts on the park’s natural resources and infrastructure. As compensation for the proposed diversion, the County of Middlesex proposes to remit $25,000 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for deposit into the Garden State Preservation Trust Fund as compensation for the area to be occupied by the new subsurface easement.

A map of the proposed diversion area may be found here:  Map of Proposed Diversion Area

This application has been classified as a minor diversion/disposal of parkland.  Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26.6(c), a public hearing on the proposed diversion/disposal application will be conducted as set forth below.

Hearing Date/Time:  Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location:  

Woodbridge Town Hall
1 Main Street
Woodbridge, New Jersey

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Thursday, January 30, 2025

Please see public notice linked above for information about how to submit written comments.  Emailed comments to the Department are preferred.  Please include “SHC 1200052 Merrill Park Sewer Line” in the subject line of any comments emailed to the Department.

Final Hearing–City of Cape May, Cape May County–Lafayette Street Recreation Area–Disposal for Police Station

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  City of Cape May, Cape May County

Park Name:  Lafayette Street Recreation Area

Proposed Action:

The City of Cape May has applied for approval to dispose of 0.14 +/- acre of parkland, which is located along St. John Street near the intersection of St. John Street and Lafayette Street and identified as Block 1061, Lots 44 and 47 of the Official Tax Maps of the City of Cape May, in connection with the proposed relocation of the City’s police station and development of a new police station facility on this site and adjacent non-parkland lots. The existing parkland is located within a designated Overburdened Community and in accordance with Executive Order 23, the Department will be taking Environmental Justice issues into consideration when evaluating the proposed disposal application to the extent not inconsistent with law.

As compensation for the proposed disposal, the City proposes to dedicate as parkland approximately 6.607 +/- acres of City-owned land, commonly known as the Sewell Tract, and identified as Block 1163, Lot 7; Block 1164, Lot 6; Block 1165, Lots 1 and 6; and, Block 1167, Lot 2; and Block 1168, Lot 2 on the Official Tax Maps of the City of Cape May, along with road rights of way to be vacated between these lots.

Maps of the proposed disposal area and proposed replacement parcels, and a rendering of the proposed police station building, are here:

Aerial Map of Proposed Disposal Area
Aerial Map of Proposed Replacement Parcels
Survey of Proposed Replacement Parcels
Police Building Elevation

Hearing Date/Time:  Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 6 PM

Hearing Location: 

City of Cape May City Hall Auditorium
643 Washington Street
Cape May, New Jersey 08204

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Please see public notice linked above for information about how to submit written comments.  Emailed comments to the Department are preferred.  Please include “SHC 0502001 Cape May Police Station” in the subject line of any comments emailed to the Department.

Public Hearing–Minor Diversion/Disposal Application–Township of Hamilton, Mercer County–Relocation of Access Easement

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  Mercer County

Parkland Name/Location: 

Nami Tract
Township of Hamilton
Block 2732, Lot 3.01

Description of Proposed Diversion/Disposal:  

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received an application from Mercer County requesting approval to divert 0.106 acre of parkland, through the conveyance of an access easement to a neighboring property owner, to accommodate the relocation of part of an existing access easement and driveway from property owned by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority onto County-owned Green Acres encumbered property.  The relocation is needed to preserve legal access to properties owned by the County and the neighboring private landowner (Block 2732, Lot 6) to Crosswicks-Hamilton Square Road because of right of way acquisitions by the Authority as part of the Interchange 6 to 9 Widening Project.

As part of the Widening Project, the Authority needed to acquire certain parklands from Mercer County, including interests in Block 2732, Lot 3.01 in Hamilton Township. These interests were acquired pursuant to a prior diversion application which received State House Commission approval on October 27, 2010. At that time, the County and the Authority informed the NJDEP and the Commission that they were still in the process of resolving access issues involving the Nami Tract and the adjacent farm (Lot 6) and that additional approvals might be needed from the NJDEP and the Commission in the future.   The County and the Authority now seek to address the outstanding access issue through the diversion of a 0.106 acre easement in order to relocate the prior access easement, for the benefit of the County, the Authority and the owner of Lot 6, partly onto Authority-owned land and partly onto County-owned land.

As compensation for the proposed diversion, the County will acquire from the Authority and dedicate as Green Acres encumbered open space more than double the land proposed for the diversion. The proposed replacement lands consist of 0.45 acre: (i) a 0.274 acre parcel adjacent to Block 2732, Lot 3.01 and Crosswicks-Hamilton Square Road, and (ii) a 0.176 acre parcel adjacent to Block 2732, Lot 3.01 and Block 2732, Lot 6, both in the Township of Hamilton.

A map and a survey depicting the proposed diversion area and proposed replacement parcels are here:

Nami Tract Minor Diversion Map

Access Road Survey

This application has been classified as a minor diversion/disposal of parkland.  Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26.6(c), a public hearing on the proposed diversion/disposal application will be conducted as set forth below.

Hearing Date/Time:  Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location:  

Hamilton Township Public Library
1 Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. Way
Hamilton, New Jersey 08619

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Thursday, January 23, 2025

Please see public notice linked above for information about how to submit written comments.  Emailed comments to the Department are preferred.  Please include “SHC 1100016 Nami Tract Minor Diversion” in the subject line of any comments emailed to the Department.

Diversion Application Information Page–Township of North Bergen, Hudson County–Braddock Park School Trailers

County of Hudson and Township of North Bergen

Green Acres Pre-Application for Braddock Park School Trailers and EMS Building at 43rd Street Park

Disclaimer:

The following pre-application items are posted as a courtesy to the public and may not have been fully reviewed or accepted as complete by the Department.

 

Pre-Application

Parts 1-7

Pre-Application Cover Sheet

  1. Description of the proposed disposal-diversion
  2. Alternatives Analysis
  3. Environmental Assessment Reports
  4. Land Valuation Forms
  5. Preliminary Compensation Proposal
  6. State Plan
  7. Attachment IV Permit Approval Checklist

 

Part 8. Copy of the deeds for the proposed disposal or diversion area and replacement parcel(s)

 

Part 9. Maps

 

Part 10

 

Part 11. Governing Body Resolutions

 

Part 12. Cover Sheet and Checklists

 

Preliminary Assessment Reports

 

UPDATE – October 5, 2021–Green Acres’ Initial Comments on Pre-Application

 

UPDATE – North Bergen and Hudson County’s Response to Pre-Application Completeness Review

April 5, 2022 Response to Green Acres’ October 10, 2021 Completeness Review on Behalf of Hudson County and Township of North Bergen

 

UPDATE – January 31, 2023–Additional Green Acres Comments on Pre-Application

 

UPDATE – March 22, 2023

  • The applicants have requested, and the Department has granted, a 30-day extension of the time to respond to the Department’s January 31, 2023 pre-application review comments (from March 31, 2023 to April 30, 2023).  Since April 30, 2023 is a Sunday, the Department has informed the applicants that it will accept the response on or before Monday, May 1, 2023.

 

UPDATE – May 3, 2023

On May 1, 2023, the applicants filed a response to the Department’s January 31, 2023 Pre-Application Review Comments.  The response is being posted immediately for the benefit of the public, but is still being reviewed by the Department.

Note (5/4/23):  The version of Exhibit IA-10, Alternatives Analysis Chart, that is attached to several of the above response sections is missing the key for the entries in the “NJDOE Ruling” and “NJDOE Reasons” columns.  A copy of the chart that includes the key may be found here.

Please report any additional errors or omissions with this posting to PublicLandCompliance@njdepwptest.net and include “Braddock Park Application Page” in the subject line.

 

UPDATE – February 29, 2024 – Completeness Determination

 

UPDATE – August 5, 2024 – Final Application (Part I) Submittal

Disclaimer:

The following final application items are posted as a courtesy to the public and may not have been fully reviewed or accepted as complete by the Department.

Note:  The Department is awaiting new copies of the files marked “to be posted” because of technical glitches in receiving them from the applicant.  The links will be updated once they are received.

Part 1–Cover Sheet

Part 2–Title Information for Proposed Replacement Lands

Part 3–Surveys

Part 4–Metes and Bounds Descriptions

Part 5–Final Compensation Proposal

Part 6–Public Notice and Sign Locations

Part 7–Additional Requested Information

Part 8–Maps

 

UPDATE–October 31, 2024 Completeness Determination and December 2, 2024 Response

Note: The Department anticipates receiving the Preliminary Assessment Report for 34th Street and Liberty Avenue Right of Way Replacement Parcel on or before December 31, 2024.

Change in Use Hearing–Borough of Seaside Heights, Ocean County–Proposed Hiering Avenue Bathhouse

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Park Owner:  Borough of Seaside Heights

Park Name:  Hiering Avenue Parcel

Park Location:

1521 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights

Block 55, Lot 9

Proposed Action: 

The Borough of Seaside Heights is proposing to change the purpose or use of 0.054 acre of the Hiering Avenue Parcel (Block 55, Lot 9) from a vacant lot to a bathhouse.  The lot previously contained a bathhouse that was destroyed in Superstorm Sandy.  The Borough proposes to construct a new building that will provide restrooms, shower and changing facilities, and a lactation pod for public use. The building will also have a beach support service office on the first floor and an ocean facing open viewing area and storage space on the second floor.  The Hiering Avenue Parcel is located between Ocean Terrace and the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, at the terminus of Hiering Avenue.

Plans for proposed bathhouse may be found here:  Hiering Avenue Bathhouse Plans

Additional information about the bathhouse project may be found here:  Hiering & Boardwalk Bathhouse

Hearing Date/Time:  Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location: 

Seaside Heights Fire House
Court Room
116 Sherman Avenue
Seaside Heights, New Jersey 08751

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Please click the link above for the full Public Hearing Notice, including addresses where written comments should be sent.  Please include “CIU1527001 Seaside Heights Bathhouse” in the subject line of any comments sent by email.

Public Hearing–Minor Diversion/Disposal Application–Townships of Bridgewater and Hillsborough, Somerset County–Relocation of Sewer Line

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  Somerset County

Parkland Name/Location: 

Duke Island Park

Block 102, Lots 10 and 39, Township of Bridgewater
Block 48, Lot 10, Township of Hillsborough

Description of Proposed Diversion/Disposal:  

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received an application from Somerset County requesting approval to divert 0.42 acre of parkland, through the conveyance of a subsurface easement, to accommodate the relocation of a 54-inch diameter sanitary sewer line as part of the Headgates Dam Removal Project at Raritan River Mile 29.9.  The easement holder in this location is Bridgewater Township.  The sanitary sewer line is part of the wastewater treatment system operated by the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority (SRVSA).

A map depicting the proposed diversion area is here:  Headgates Dam Proposed Easements

As compensation for the proposed minor disposal of parkland, the County proposes to accept monetary compensation for the value of the new easement area.  The compensation will be deposited into Somerset County’s Open Space Preservation Trust Fund to be utilized for future acquisition of land for recreation or conservation purposes.

This application has been classified as a minor diversion/disposal of parkland.  Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26.6(c), a public hearing on the proposed diversion/disposal application will be conducted as set forth below.

Hearing Date/Time:  December 3, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location:  

North Branch Park
355 Milltown Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey

Public Comments Accepted Through:  December 17, 2024

Please see public notice linked above for information about how to submit written comments.  Emailed comments to the Department are preferred.  Please include “SHC 1800027 Headgates Dam Sewer Line Relocation” in the subject line of any comments emailed to the Department.

Change in Use Hearing–Township of Clark, Union County–Clark Reservoir

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Park Owner:  Union County

Park Name:  Clark Reservoir

Park Location:

Township of Clark, Union County

Block 33, Lot 35
Block 42, Lot 89.01
Block 52, Lots 11.03, 12, and 13
Block 53, Lot 35
Block 198, Lot 1.01

Proposed Action: 

Union County is proposing to make recreational improvements to a 1.14-acre portion of the undeveloped park area known as the Clark Reservoir.  The Clark Reservoir is a 200-acre park with a large body of water and surrounding land located in the municipalities of Clark, Scotch Plains and Westfield, New Jersey.   It was formerly known as the Middlesex Water Co. Reservoir.  With the exception of improvements to the dam, the Clark Reservoir has remained unchanged since the Middlesex Water Company transferred the property to the Township of Clark in the 1990s, and the Township transferred it to the County in 2008.

The proposed changes will include constructing: (1) a boat ramp with a floating dock; (2) a fishing pier; (3) a fixed timber pier with kayak storage and floating dock with kayak launches; (3) a boat storage building that will include a stamped concrete patio and public restrooms; (4) new hiking trails, or renovations to existing ones, including two pedestrian bridges and a retaining wall in the northeast corner of the central lake (between the Raritan Road and NJ Parkway Bridges); (5) a stormwater detention area solely serving the Park; (6) parking facilities that will have access through Madison Ave for the central lake; and (7) a boat ramp on the east lake (east of the Parkway Bridge) with parking area that will have access through Wendell Avenue.

A concept plan for the proposed park improvements may be found here:  Clark Reservoir Concept Plan

Hearing Date/Time:  Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location: 

Clark Council Chambers
315 Westfield Avenue
Clark, New Jersey 07066

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Wednesday, December 10, 2024

Please click the link above for the full Public Hearing Notice, including addresses where written comments should be sent.

Change in Use Hearing–City of Rahway, Union County–Wheatena Park Dog Park

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Park Owner:  Union County

Park Name:  Wheatena Park

Park Location:

1850 Elizabeth Avenue, Rahway, Union County

Block 224, Lot 34 and Block 227, Lot 6

Proposed Action: 

Union County is proposing to convert 0.41 acre of open space/parkland within Wheatena Park, a County park, to a dog park in response to a request from the City of Rahway.

The 18,000-square-foot park is proposed to have two separated areas: one for large dogs (11,000 square feet) and one for small dogs, (7,000 square feet).  Construction of the park will be funded with a $500,000 grant to the City of Rahway from the Department of Community Affairs.  The City is proposing to use the grant to install fencing around the perimeter of the dog park along with other dog park amenities.

A concept plan for the proposed dog park may be found here:  Wheatena Park Dog Park Concept Plan

Hearing Date/Time:  Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location: 

Rahway City Hall
1 City Hall Plaza
Rahway, New Jersey 07065

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Please click the link above for the full Public Hearing Notice, including addresses where written comments should be sent.