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

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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

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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/

Conservation Restriction Release Hearing–Township of Hamilton, Atlantic County–Partial Release of Conservation Restriction

Last modified on August 6th, 2024 at 9:46 pm

Requestor: County of Atlantic

Restricted Property:

Lake Lenape Park

Block 587, part of Lots 38 and 55

Township of Hamilton, Atlantic County

Description of Release Request:

In accordance with the New Jersey Conservation Restriction and Historic Preservation Restriction Act, N.J.S.A. 13:8B-1 et seq., the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received a request from Atlantic County to approve the partial release of a 1999 Declaration of Restrictive Covenant (1999 Deed Restriction) to allow the reconfiguration of an existing 120-foot long (916 square feet) L-shaped dock located on Block 587, Lots 38 and 55 (p/o), within the County’s Lake Lenape Park in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, for public safety reasons. The County proposes to replace the L-shaped dock with two new floating docks to be located within a 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) development envelope located on Lake Lenape proximate to a County boathouse. As compensation, the County proposes to prohibit development on a different 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) portion of Lake Lenape and relinquish its approval to develop a dock in that location.

The lifting of the Deed Restriction from a portion of the Property constitutes a “release” of those restrictions under the Conservation Restriction Act. Under N.J.S.A. 13:8B-5, the County and the Pinelands Commission, as parties to the 1999 Declaration, are required to conduct a public hearing on the proposed partial release.

Under N.J.S.A. 13:8B-6, the approval of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection is required for the proposed partial release.

Background

The 1999 Deed Restriction prohibits development on Lake Lenape except for specific areas listed in a 1998 Memorandum of Agreement (1998 MOA) between the County and the Pinelands Commission. Pursuant to the 1998 MOA, the County was required to place a deed restriction on 1,822 acres on and surrounding Lake Lenape in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County. In exchange, the Commission agreed to allow certain improvements to specifically defined areas on the western shore of Lake Lenape, as set forth in the details of the 1998 MOA.

Two improvements authorized by the 1998 MOA were a 20-foot partially-submerged boat ramp and an adjacent 120-foot L-shaped dock, both proximate to a boathouse building. In 2019, representatives from the County and the Commission met to address safety issues with the size and location of the L-shaped dock.

On June 14, 2023, the County and the Commission executed an Amendment to the 1998 MOA. The 2023 Amendment acknowledges that the County intends to amend the 1999 Declaration by removing the existing L-shaped (916 sq ft) dock and replacing it with two new floating docks measuring 300 sq ft and 1,820 sq. ft., to be situated in a 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) development envelope on Lake Lenape. The new development envelope will be located adjacent to a developed portion of the western shore of Lake Lenape that includes a boathouse, parking and boat ramp. As compensation, the County proposes to amend the 1999 Deed Restriction to restrict development and preserve an equivalent 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) on a different portion of Lake Lenape and to relinquish its approval under the 1998 MOA to develop a dock there. The new easement area is currently undeveloped and undisturbed area of Lake Lenape Park.

The Property is located within the Pinelands Preservation Area.

Related Documents:

Background documents on this matter may be found at: https://www.atlanticcountynj.gov/planning/NJDEP-Public-Notice

Hearing Date/Time: August 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location: This hearing will be held online.

Hearing Information:

The public hearing will be conducted remotely and broadcast live on the Pinelands Commission’s YouTube channel.

To view the hearing live, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/4UwKR5ZNmBs?feature=shared

To provide public comment during the hearing, please call (929) 205-6099 and use Meeting ID 831 0036 8051

Public Comments Accepted Through: September 4, 2024

The Department invites the public to attend the public hearing and present comments on the requested release. Written comments on the proposed release may also be submitted by September 4, 2024 to:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration
Public Land Compliance Section
PO Box 420
Mail Code: 401-07
Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Email: PublicLandCompliance@dep.nj.gov

County of Atlantic
Attn: Department of Law, Assistant County Counsel Arthur J. Murray
1333 Atlantic Avenue, 8th floor
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401

Email: Murray_Arthur@aclink.org

Emailed comments are preferred. Please put “CRR0112002 Lake Lenape Pinelands” in the subject line of your email.

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

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

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.

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

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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

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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

Final Hearing–City of Atlantic City, Atlantic County–Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project Cable Crossings

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant: City of Atlantic City, Atlantic County

Park Names: Bader Field, Pete Pallitto Field and Public Beach/Boardwalk

Park Locations:

Bader Field: 545 Albany Avenue, Atlantic City (Block 794, Lot 1)

Pete Pallitto Field and Boat House Parcel: Intersection of Fairmont Avenue and Sovereign Avenue, Atlantic City (Block 370, Lots 1.01, 2 and 2.01)

Public Beach: Public beach/Boardwalk parcels between South Texas and Iowa Avenues (Block 1, Lots 58 and 59)

Proposed Action:

The City of Atlantic City is seeking approval to convey underground utility easements on a total of 1.8 acres +/- of Green Acres encumbered parkland to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC for the installation of underground utility facilities associated with the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1. The proposed diversion area includes 1.35 +/- acres of the Public Beach/Boardwalk, 0.26 +/- acre of Pete Pallitto Field and 0.19 +/- acre of Bader Field. The project also includes a total of 1.99 acres +/-of temporary workspace on the three parks. Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC is in the process of acquiring various properties, permanent rights of way and easements needed to install underground cables and related infrastructure, in connection with the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, which will be necessary for the transmission of offshore wind generated energy to the electric distribution network.

The lands in question are encumbered by State of New Jersey Green Acres restrictions, and a final application for the major diversion of said lands has been submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for approval by the Department’s Commissioner and by the State House Commission. As compensation for the diversion of the City-owned lands described above, the City proposes to place Green Acres restrictions on other City-owned lands north of West End Avenue (identified as Block 757 Lot 1; Block 756 Lot 1; Block 755, Lot 1; Block 754, Lot 1; Block 753 Lots 1,2,3,4; Block 752, Lot 1; Block 751, Lot 1; Block 750, Lot 1; Block 749, Lot 1; Block 748, Lot 1; Block 747, Lot 1; Block 746, Lot 1; Block 745, Lots 1 and 3; and paper streets to be vacated). Atlantic Shores has proposed a public access enhancement project on the compensation parcels, as well as compensation for tree removal. Atlantic Shores has also agreed to compensate the City for its use of the temporary workspace.

Additional information about the proposed diversions may be found in the full public hearing notice linked above and at https://atlanticshoreswind.com/project-1-njdep-green-acres-diversion-application-2024/

Hearing Date/Time: June 25, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location:

This hearing will be held virtually.

Members of the public may participate in the hearing via video conference or by telephone.

Those who wish to participate via video conference may access the hearing at https://bit.ly/green-acres-offshore

(Note: if manually typing the address into a web browser, please use all lowercase text).

A toll-free dial-in option is available as well, via calling (877) 853-5247, and
entering 823 4121 1062 as the webinar ID, and 469898 as the passcode.

If using one-tap mobile, please use +13017158592,,82341211062#.

Those planning to offer comments at the hearing may sign up to do so during the hearing.

The public hearing will also be televised at the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 1301 Bacharach Blvd., Atlantic City, New Jersey. Members of the public may view the public hearing and submit comments during the broadcast of the hearing.

Public Comments Accepted Through: July 9, 2024

Please click the link above for the full public hearing notice, including addresses where written comments should be sent.