Category: PLC Public Notices

Minor Diversion/Disposal Application–Township of Hanover, Morris County–Realignment of Patriots Path Trail Corridor

Last modified on December 14th, 2022 at 4:14 pm

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  Township of Hanover, Morris County

Parkland Name:  Patriot’s Path Trail Corridor

Parkland Location: 

801-849 Route 10 East
Block 4001, Lots 12, 13 and 14
Township of Hanover, Morris County

Description of Proposed Diversion/Disposal:  

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received an application from the Township of Hanover requesting approval to modify a trail easement it holds as part of the Patriot’s Path.  Realignment and modification of the trail easement is needed as part of the development of the Hanover Towne Center project under a redevelopment plan approved by the Township.  The proposed relocation is classified as a minor disposal of Green Acres encumbered parkland

As compensation for the proposed minor disposal of parkland, the Township and the developer have agreed to relocate and expand the Patriot’s Path public access and conservation easement within the same redevelopment site.  The current easement covers 0.84 acre of land.  The new easement will restrict 1.04 acres of land, and will include a pocket park.  In addition, the new easement location will enable a safe pedestrian crossing from the Path across Route 10 at a signalized intersection.

A public hearing on the proposed disposal application, and the associated conservation restriction release, will be conducted as set forth below.  Additional information about this application may be found under the “Township News” on the homepage entitled “Hanover Towne Center–Green Acres Disposal” at www.hanovertownship.com.

Hearing Date/Time:  January 12, 2023 at 7:00 PM    [Snow Date:  February 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM]

Hearing Location:  

Hanover Township Municipal Building
1000 Route 10
Whippany, NJ 07981

Public Comments Accepted Through:  January 27, 2023 [see public notice linked above for contact information]

Conservation Restriction Release Hearing–Township of Hanover, Morris County–Minor Realignment of Patriots Path Trail Corridor

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Requestor:  Township of Hanover, Morris County

Restricted Property:

801-849 Route 10 East (Block 4001, Lots 12, 13 and 14)

Township of Hanover, Morris County

Description of Release Request:  

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received a request from the Township of Hanover to modify a trail easement it holds as part of the Patriot’s Path.  Realignment and modification of the trail easement is needed as part of the development of the Hanover Towne Center project under a redevelopment plan approved by the Township.

As compensation for the proposed release and easement modification, the Township and the developer have agreed to relocate and expand the Patriot’s Path public access and conservation easement within the same redevelopment site.  The current easement covers 0.84 acre of land.  The new easement will restrict 1.04 acres of land, and will include a pocket park.  In addition, the new easement location will enable a safe pedestrian crossing from the Path across Route 10 at a signalized intersection.

A public hearing on the proposed release, and the associated minor diversion of Green Acres encumbered parkland, will be conducted as set forth below.  Additional information about this request may be found under the “Township News” on the homepage entitled “Hanover Towne Center–Green Acres Disposal” at www.hanovertownship.com.

Hearing Date/Time:  January 12, 2023 at 7:00 PM    [Snow Date:  February 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM]

Hearing Location:  

Hanover Township Municipal Building
1000 Route 10
Whippany, NJ 07981

Public Comments Accepted Through:  January 27, 2023 [see public notice linked above for contact information]

Rulemaking Stakeholder Meetings

Last modified on February 8th, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Starting in November 2022, the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration (OTPLA) conducted a series of stakeholder meetings to obtain public input on Subchapters 25 and 26 of the Green Acres Program rules, N.J.A.C. 7:36.  The Green Acres Program rules may be found at:  https://njdepwptest.net/wp-content/uploads/greenacres/pdf/njac7_36.pdf 

Subchapters 25 and 26 govern the maintenance of Green Acres encumbered parkland and other post-funding responsibilities, including the diversion and disposal application processes. The Green Acres rules are not set to expire until December 2025. However, since the Department has not made substantial changes to the rules since 2005, we plan to update the rules before they expire. As part of this update, we will be moving these two subchapters (25 and 26) into a new chapter specific to OTPLA.

A list of “hot issues” that may be addressed in the upcoming rulemaking may be found here.  This list was intended to spur discussion at the stakeholder meetings, and is not intended to reflect a particular policy decision or position on the part of the Department.

Please note that this stakeholder process relates only to Subchapters 25 and 26; a future rulemaking will be initiated by the Green Acres Program relative to the remainder of the Green Acres Program rules at N.J.A.C. 7:36.

 

The stakeholder meetings have now concluded, but videos of each session may be viewed online:

  1. November 29, 2022 from 10 AM to 1PM–targeted to nonprofit Green Acres funding recipients–meeting recording
  2. December 13, 2022 from 2 PM to 5 PM–targeted to local government stakeholders (municipalities and counties)–meeting recording
  3. December 15, 2022 from 9 AM to noon–targeted to local government stakeholders (municipalities and counties)–meeting recording
  4. January 11, 2023 from 10 AM to noon–targeted to nonprofit Green Acres funding recipients–meeting recording
  5. January 18, 2023 from 10 AM to noon–targeted to local government stakeholders (municipalities and counties)–meeting recording
  6. January 24, 2023 from 1 PM to 3 PM–open to the general public–meeting recording
  7. January 26, 2023 from 1 PM to 3 PM–open to the general public–meeting recording
  8. January 31, 2023 from 6 PM to 8 PM–open to the general public–meeting recording

 

The Department will be accepting written public comment on these subchapters through February 28, 2023.  If you wish to submit a written comment, or have a question about the existing or future rules, please send an email to us at otpla@dep.nj.gov and include the word “Rulemaking” in the subject line.

Additional updates about the rulemaking process will be posted on this page as they are available.

 

City of Margate, Atlantic County–Lucy the Elephant–Lease to Save Lucy Committee, Inc.

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 Margate

Park Name/Location:  

Lucy the Elephant
9200 Atlantic Avenue
City of Margate, NJ 08402

Proposed Lessee: Save Lucy Committee, Inc. (nonprofit organization)

Proposed Leased Premises:  Block 26, Lot 2 (0.75 acre (approx.), including Lucy the Elephant structure)

Purpose of Lease:   Recreation and public amusement, focused on historical preservation and operation of the structure known as Lucy the Elephant, and including on-site souvenir gift shop and refreshment pavilion.

Proposed Lease Term: 20 years (subject to reevaluation every 5 years)

Proposed Compensation:  $1 per year

For additional information, please contact:  

Johanna Casey, City Clerk/Registrar
9001 Winchester Avenue
Margate, NJ 08402
609-822-2605
Casey_johanna@margate-nj.com

 

Change in Use Hearing–Township of River Vale, Bergen County–Construction of Golf Course Equipment Storage Building

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  Township of River Vale

Park Name:  River Vale Country Club

Park Location:

660 River Vale Road, River Vale Township, Bergen County

Block 701, Lot 2

Proposed Action: 

The Township of River Vale is proposing to change the purpose or use of approximately 0.11 acre (4,800 square feet) of the 98.43-acre River Vale Country Club (Block 701, Lot 2) from open parkland to a golf course equipment storage building.  The storage building will have indoor and external lighting, various sized bay doors, and storage for grounds equipment and summer patio furniture.

Hearing Date/Time:  December 12, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Hearing Location: 

River Vale Town Hall Council Chambers
406 Rivervale Road
River Vale, New Jersey

Public Comments Accepted Through:  December 27, 2022

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

Administrative Transfer Hearing–Township of Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County–Land Exchange between Ocean County and Little Egg Harbor Township–Various Blocks/Lots

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicants:  County of Ocean and Township of Little Egg Harbor

Park Name:  Unnamed Parkland

Park Location:

Currently owned by Little Egg Harbor/To be transferred to Ocean County:

Block 109, Lots 45, 54 and 99; Block 126, Lots 21, 24, 25 and 26; Block 269, Lots 3 and 9; Block 326.01, Lots 63 and 64; Block 326.203, Lots 2 through 22

Total acres:  86.082 (+/-)

Currently owned by Ocean County/To be transferred to Little Egg Harbor:

Block 326, Lots 27, 27.01 and 62; Block 326.33, Lot 46

Total acres:  42.01 (+/-)

Proposed Action: 

Ocean County and Little Egg Harbor Township propose to exchange ownership of the lands listed above.  The purpose of the proposed exchange is to consolidate ownership of adjacent lands to improve the management and administration of public open space by both the Township and the County.  All lands involved in the proposed transaction are Green Acres encumbered, and will remain Green Acres encumbered after the exchange is completed.

A public hearing on the proposed transfers is required under the Green Acres rules, N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.5.  Details of the Green Acres hearing are listed below.

A second public hearing on the proposed transfers is required under N.J.S.A. 40A:12-15.4 (the statute authorizing collection of County open space trust funds).  Details of the County hearing are listed in the attached public hearing notice.

Hearing Date/Time:  Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Hearing Location: 

Little Egg Harbor Township Municipal Building
665 Radio Drive
Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 08087

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Thursday, November 17, 2022

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

Diversion Application Information Page–City of Ocean City, Cape May County–Ocean Wind Project

Last modified on November 3rd, 2022 at 5:24 pm

Application by Ocean Wind, LLC to Cross Green Acres Encumbered Parkland for Offshore Export Cable
 

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

 

Posted November 3, 2022:

Notice of November 14, 2022 Final Public Hearing (Rescheduled)

 

Posted October 3, 2022:

Notice of Cancellation of October 3, 2022 Public Hearing

 

Posted September 13, 2022:

Notice of October 3, 2022 Final Public Hearing

 

Posted July 26, 2022:

Part 1.     Description of the Proposed Disposal/Diversion

Part 2.     Alternatives Analysis

Part 3.     Environmental Assessment Report

Part 4.     Appraisals

Beach Lots Appraisal

Bayfront Lot Appraisal

Part 5.     Compensation Proposal

Part 6.     State Plan Analysis

Part 7.     List of Required Permits

Part 8.     Deeds for the Proposed Disposal/Diversion Area and Replacement Parcel(s)

Part 9.   Maps

Part 10.  Public Hearing Information

 

 

 

Conservation Restriction Release Hearing–Township of East Windsor, Mercer County–Partial Release of Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission Deed Restriction on Private Property

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Requestor:  269 Wyckoff Mills Road Urban Renewal, LLC

Restricted Property:

269 Wyckoff Mills Road (Block 12, Lot 2)

Township of East Windsor, Mercer County

Description of Release Request:  

The Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission has received a request from 269 Wyckoff Mills Road Urban Renewal, LLC for a partial release of a Conservation Easement due to planned development at 269 Wyckoff Mills Road. The Conservation Easement was granted by 269 Wyckoff Mills Road EW3, LLC to the Commission on May 24, 2018 and applies to the property listed above. The property was required to be restricted as a condition of Commission approvals for the proposed development of the property. As holder of the Conservation Easement, the Commission is required to conduct a public hearing on the proposed partial release prior to making a final determination on this request.  Under N.J.S.A. 13:8B-6, the approval of the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection is also required for this release.

Note:  The Millstone Township property listed in the public hearing notice is associated with off-site mitigation for this release request and is not the subject of this request.

Hearing Date/Time:  September 21, 2022 at 9:30 to 10:00 AM (just prior to the Commission’s regularly-scheduled monthly meeting)

Hearing Location:  

The hearing will be held remotely.  Information about how to join the hearing may be found at:  https://www.nj.gov/dep/drcc/meeting-info/upcoming-notice/

Public Comments Accepted Through:  September 16, 2022

Conservation Restriction Release Hearing–Township of Hamilton, Atlantic County–Amendment of Pinelands Commission Deed Restriction on Private Property

 

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Requestors:  Kristin Conover and Kirk Conover

Restricted Property:

7517 Fourth Avenue (Block 31, Lot 1)

Township of Hamilton, Atlantic County

Description of Release Request:  

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Township of Hamilton have received a request for a partial release of a Deed Restriction for Threatened and Endangered Species (Deed Restriction) originally created as a condition of approval by the Pinelands Commission for single family home construction. The Deed Restriction was granted by Thomas McGrath, III and Barbarajean McGrath, prior property owners, in favor of the NJDEP and the Township on September 10, 2007 and applies to the tax lot listed above. As a condition of the construction of a single family residence on the subject lot, a portion of the lot was required to be restricted by NJDEP to protect threatened and endangered species. In exchange for the now requested partial release, the Deed Restriction will be amended to add an equal area of the subject tax lot not previously restricted pursuant to the Deed Restriction.

Hearing Date/Time:  September 19, 2022 at 5 PM

Hearing Location:  

The hearing will be held remotely.  Information about how to join the hearing through Microsoft Teams or be telephone may be found in the public hearing notice linked above.

Public Comments Accepted Through:  September 19, 2022

Administrative Transfer Hearing–Township of Manchester, Ocean County–Block 71, Lots 1.01 and 6.01; Block 71.02, Lot 159.02; Block 72, Lot 4

Click Here for Full Public Hearing Notice

Applicant:  County of Ocean

Park Name:  Future County Park

Park Location:

3623 Ridgeway Road, Manchester Township, Ocean County

Block 71, Lots 1.01 and 6.01; Block 71.02, Lot 159.02; Block 72, Lot 4

Proposed Action: 

Ocean County proposes to construct a new County park on a 260-acre parcel formerly owned by Manchester Township. This Green Acres encumbered property was conveyed by Manchester Township to Ocean County in 2019.  However, because the Township did not conduct a public hearing under the administrative transfer process at N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.5 at the time of the conveyance, the County is now seeking public comment on the administrative transfer to bring the conveyance into conformance with N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.5.

The proposed County park will occupy 33 acres of the property.  The property is currently undeveloped.  Proposed amenities include athletic fields and courts, picnic pavilions, a spray park, playgrounds, hiking trails, a comfort station, a maintenance yard, and associated parking.

A schematic of the proposed park may be found here.

A County press release about the park project may be found here.

As indicated in the public hearing notice linked above, public comment will also be accepted on the conversion of the property to developed parkland under the “change in use” process at N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.6.

Hearing Date/Time:  Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM

Hearing Location: 

Ocean County Library (Manchester Branch)
21 Colonial Drive
Manchester Township, New Jersey 08759

Public Comments Accepted Through:  Thursday, September 22, 2022

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