Sept. 9, 2023 - Holmdel Township Committee looks to adopt a resolution next Tuesday to concur with the Planning Board’s recommendation to designate the former Nokia site (Crawford Hill, Lot 7) as an area in need of redevelopment for condemnation purposes.
Last week, after a public hearing on the redevelopment study and a presentation by Planner Kate Keller, the Planning Board voted 5-1 to recommend the site be designated as an area in need of redevelopment for condemnation purposes. During the public hearing, professionals representing the owner argued that the site should not be so designated. For more information, see the following articles in the Patch, Asbury Park Press and Two River Times.
Patch Article
The Township is currently in negotiation with the property owner to acquire the other two lots on Crawford Hill, Lots 6 and 6.01 which include the historic Horn Antenna that was used to confirm the Big Bang theory on how our universe began. The Township also adopted an ordinance that allows it to use eminent domain to acquire the two lots if the negotiation is unsuccessful.
Holmdel residents have supported and applauded the Township Committee’s decision to acquire Lots 6 and 6.01 to preserve the historic Horn Antenna. At the same time, some residents including Citizens For Informed Land Use (“CILU”) have advocated that the entire Crawford Hill property including Lot 7 should be preserved as open space.
In an email sent to its members, CILU’s Board “is advocating for acquisition of the ENTIRE Crawford Hill property, not just the upper lots. Rezoning and development of the site would be inconsistent with Holmdel’s Master Plan and would limit public access and eliminate the potential to use the existing structure as an educational center or parks building.”
The Planning Board’s recommendation and the Township Committee’s concurrence to designate Crawford Hill Lot 7 as an area for redevelopment for condemnation purposes does not preclude the option for the Township Committee, if it chooses to do so, to also preserve Lot 7 as open space. That is a permitted option as part of a redevelopment plan.
It will be interesting to see what happens next. Stay tuned.
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