Category: Green Acres Diversion/Disposal Applications

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

 

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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.

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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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.

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

 

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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.

Application Update–Seaside Heights Public Beach

On June 30, 2016, the State House Commission approved the Department of Environmental Protection’s request to allow the Borough of Seaside Heights to transfer (dispose of) approximately 1.37 +/- acres of Borough-owned parkland, located on the Borough’s public beach, to the adjacent private owner of the Casino Pier amusement pier.   To compensate for the proposed disposal, the Borough proposed three forms of compensation:  (1) acceptance of ownership of the historic Carousel (then owned by the Casino Pier owners) for eventual public use; (2) acceptance of ownership and dedication as parkland of a vacant boardwalk parcel (Block 56, Lots 1, 3, 7 and 9, totaling 0.75 +/- acre) and (3) the dedication as parkland of 67.171 +/- acres of additional replacement land owned by Ocean County and located in Toms River Township (Block 409, Lot 20.02.)    In addition, as part of its approval, the Commission required the Borough to house the Carousel in a sheltered location in which it could be made available as a public recreational amenity, either by constructing a new building on the boardwalk replacement parcel or, if that was not feasible, then locating the Carousel somewhere else on or adjacent to the public boardwalk.   

On July 3, 2024, after a five-year $2.5 million restoration project, the carousel opened in an ADA-accessible building constructed by the Borough on the Boardwalk replacement parcel.  The building also contains public restrooms and historical displays showcasing both Seaside Heights and Ocean County history.

An informative article about the restoration of the carousel may be found here:  https://lavallette-seaside.shorebeat.com/2024/06/seaside-heights-historic-carousel-to-open-to-the-public-july-3-heres-a-preview/

Public Hearing–Minor Diversion/Disposal Application–Township of Teaneck, Bergen County–Route 4 Bridge Replacement Project

 

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Applicant:  Township of Teaneck, Bergen County

Parkland Names/Locations: 

Milton Votee Park (Block 4704, Lot 1)
North Gaylord Park (Block 2210, Lot 5 and Block 2211, Lot 1)
South Gaylord Park (Block 902, Lot 1 and Block 903, Lot 1)
Teaneck Greenbelt (Block 2701, Lot 1 and Block 4701, Lot 1)

Parkland Location: 

North and South Side of U.S. Route 4 between Garrison Avenue and Palisade Avenue
Township of Teaneck, Bergen County

Description of Proposed Diversion/Disposal:  

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received an application from the Township of Teaneck requesting approval to convey a total of 0.10 acre of easements and 0.23 acre in fee to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) in connection with the “Route 4 Bridge Replacement Project over Palisade Avenue and CSX”, which involves improvements to the Route 4 roadway, the Route 4 bridge over the CSX rail corridor, installation of subsurface drainage basins and addition of acceleration/deceleration lanes to Route 4 near Belle Avenue.

A map of the project area, depicting the areas of Green Acres encumbered parkland proposed for diversion or disposal, is here:
Route 4 Palisades Avenue Green Acres Plan

As compensation for the proposed minor disposal of parkland, the NJDOT will provide the Township with replacement land of at least equal value and size as the areas proposed for diversion/disposal.

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:  July 30, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location:  

Richard Rodda Community Center
250 Colonial Court
Teaneck, NJ 07666

Public Comments Accepted Through:  August 15, 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 0260004 Teaneck Route 4 Bridge Replacement” in the subject line of any comments emailed to the Department.

Final Hearing–Borough of Bellmawr, Camden County–Diversion for Bellmawr Waterfront Redevelopment Project

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  Borough of Bellmawr, Camden County

Park Name:   Big Timber Creek

Park Location:

Creek Road
Block 78, Lot 2

Proposed Action:

The Borough of Bellmawr seeks approval to divert Block 78, Lot 2 (17.86 acres) in Bellmawr in connection with the Bellmawr Waterfront Redevelopment Project.  Information about the redevelopment project may be found here:  Big Timber Creek Waterfront Redevelopmen | Redev (bellmawrredevagency.org)

As compensation for the proposed diversion, the Borough proposes to dedicate the following properties as parkland:

      • 22.67 waterfront acres of new parkland along the Big Timber Creek (including Block 79.01, Lot
        9.02 in Bellmawr Borough and Block 1.02, Lot 1.02 in Deptford Township), to be known as the Big Timber Creek Waterfront Park
      • 104 acres of land within Block 328, Lot 5 in West Deptford Township

Both the proposed diversion area and the proposed replacement parcel are depicted on this map.

Hearing Date/Time:  July 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Hearing Location:

Bellmawr Borough Hall
21 East Browning Road
Bellmawr, New Jersey 08031

Public Comments Accepted Through:  August 7, 2024

Please click the link above for the full public hearing notice, including addresses where written comments should be sent.  Emailed comments are preferred.  If you send comments by email, please include “Bellmawr Diversion” in the subject line of your email.

Final Hearing–Township of Woodbridge, Middlesex County–Partial Disposal of Bowtie Pool Property for Conrail Project

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  Township of Woodbridge, Middlesex County

Park Name:   Bowtie Pool Property

Park Location:

141 B Street, Port Reading (Woodbridge)
Block 649.01, Lot 1

Proposed Action:

The Township of Woodbridge is seeking approval to convey a 1.001-acre portion of the 6-acre Green Acres encumbered Bowtie Pool Property to the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) for the construction of a track and two new switches.  The construction project will provide direct access between the Port Reading Secondary Line and the Garden State Secondary Line, eliminating the need for extended train idle times in residential areas.

As compensation for the proposed disposal, the Township has acquired three replacement parcels totaling 4.862 acres which will be added to the Township’s Recreation and Open Space Inventory. The parcels are:

      • Spruce Street Park (Block 1079.08, Lot 2 (0.891 ac.), to be added to Spruce Street Park
      • Block 664.03, Lot 1.01 ( 2.712 ac.), to be added to the Cyprus Park
      • Part of Block 664.03, Lot 8 (future lot 8.02) (1.259 ac.), to serve as a connecting parcel between the Bowtie Pool Property and Cypress Park

Additionally, to offset the loss of recreational amenities at the Bowtie Pool property, the Township has undertaken significant recreational improvements at Cypress Park, including upgraded soccer fields, two new roller hockey rinks, new playground equipment/unitary playmat, walking path, pickleball courts and restrooms.

Additional information about the proposed partial disposal may be found in the full public hearing notice linked above and the following maps:

Aerial Map
County Road Map
Tax Map

Hearing Date/Time:  July 29, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location:

Woodbridge Township Administration Building
1 Main Street
Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095

Public Comments Accepted Through:  August 12, 2024

Please click the link above for the full public hearing notice, including addresses where written comments should be sent.  Emailed comments are preferred.  If you send comments by email, please include “SHC1225013” in the subject line of your email.