Application for Open Space funds to buy Russell Farms

The Township Committee unanimously passed a resolution to file an application to the Bergen County Freeholders for an Open Space Grant to be used for a possible purchase of Russell Farms just prior to the deadline on July 31.  The grant request is $2,100,000, almost three times our Municipal Open Space Fund. Funds are awarded by year-end. This is the first application that Wyckoff has submitted for a land acquisition (versus recreation/refurbishment) in recent memory. The grant is non-binding and allows Wyckoff to keep all options open with respect to the property.
 
The attendance of 46 residents and 2 children at the July 21 Township Committee meeting certainly demonstrated the community's passion for open space acquisition. All who spoke were in favor of passing the resolution. The 5-acre property is ideal for passive and/or active recreation for community enjoyment. (However, a prudent analysis of its value is critical.)
 
Here is some background information on the Russell Farm property. The site is zoned for single-family market rate housing and was approved for six homes by the Wyckoff Planning Board.  There may be environmental remediation necessary because pesticides were used in the orchard. The site is not zoned for affordable housing. The developer, Robert Milanese (Barrister Farm/Deep Voll Ravine Development), and owners of Russell Farm filed a letter of protest in response to the Township's last filing with COAH stating how many units the town needs to meet its obligation. (COAH is the state agency responsible for establishing and monitoring municipal affordable housing obligations in New Jersey.) The developer and owners said that Russell Farms could have been included, and that 60 units could be built there. A larger development would be more profitable than six homes. Additional costs of pesticide remediation and a protracted lawsuit may have motivated the owners to seek a sale of the property.
 
According to Mayor Fiorenzo, the property owners are asking $2,700,000 for the property. The Township Committee will prudently review the aspects of a purchase and will move forward only with a careful analysis of costs and benefits to the town.
 
If you would like to listen to the meeting, an mp3 file is available for download. Please visit www.FriendsOfWyckoff.org where the recording will be found on the left tab: Township Committee Meetings/MP3. Friends of Wyckoff will monitor the progress of this application.