South Brunswick to Acquire Open Space in Land Exchange

South Brunswick Township is close to adding about two acres of open space as part of a land exchange that would allow an access road for a development to be built adjacent to Sand Hills Road.

In 2005, the township adopted an ordinance to approve a land exchange between developer Spillatore and South Brunswick to allow an access road to be constructed at the end of Forest Court South. The access road would allow construction vehicles to transport materials for what is expected to be a five-lot subdivision.

The Department of Environmental Protection denied the original proposal and asked the developer to give more land back to the township, according to Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz. 

As part of the new agreement, South Brunswick will transfer 0.08 acres of land, valued by the tax assessor at $13,926, for 1.985 acres of land, valued at $273,500, which will be designated as open space.

"From a dollar value, this exchange is greater than a 20-1 ratio," said Township Attorney Don Sears.

The township held a public hearing on the land exchange Tuesday evening, but no members of the public got up to voice their concerns.

The public has two weeks to send a written comment to the township and voice any concerns. The council will vote on the land exchange at a meeting on Feb. 7.

"This gives us some additional open space and there is no cost involved," Schmalz said.