8 Acres Preserved, Added To Sourland Mountain Area In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — It's a win for mother nature as 8 more acres in Hillsborough have been preserved and protected by Somerset County.

Somerset County went before the Hillsborough Planning Board on May 4 with an application seeking minor subdivision approval and ‘c’ bulk variances, and waivers to subdivide 13.889 acres into two lots.

The proposal would split the property at 150 Long Hill Road into one portion of 5.889 acres that would keep an existing single-family home and the second back portion of the lot of 8 acres to be purchased by the County as part of the preserved opens space and passive parkland of the Sourland Preserve.

The back portion of the lot was purchased from Joseph and Kathleen Locatell.

Attorney Sarah Fitzpatrick, who represented Somerset County, said the purpose of the acquisition of land is to "preserve and protect the fragile ecosystem and preserve the rural character of the Sourland Mountain, which is what we are intending of trying to accomplish here."

The variances sought were in relation to size lot requirements, side yard setbacks and a right-of-way dedication.

The Board unanimously approved the application adding the 8 acres to the 6,300 acre Sourland Mountain Preserve, which is county-owned and administered by the Somerset County Park Commission.

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