MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, HELD AT THE WANTAGE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 888 STATE HIGHWAY 23, WANTAGE, N.J. ON THE DATE OF APRIL 24, 2006

Deputy Mayor Parker Space welcomed all persons present, and asked Township Administrator Jim Doherty to confirm attendance.

Present: Mayor Parker Space, Rich Sytsema, Rudy Solar, Robb Thompson, Mike Garrett, Scott Sargent, Thomas P. Davis
Absent: Victoria Gill, , Lisa Parrott, Diane Mylecraine

Mr. Space welcomed Wantage Township Planner David Troast and Land Use Board Secretary Joanne Kanapinski, and thanked them for joining the discussions this evening.

Mr. Troast conducted a review of the draft version of the Township’s Open Space plan.

General discussion took place regarding areas of the proposed plan that needed to have more detail and guidance.

Mr. Solar expressed the belief that the Township would be better served if the zoning ordinance contained no restraints and no cluster options.

Mr. Doherty suggested that there should be a value judgment made regarding “cost versus vision”. Mr. Doherty stated that clustering developments drastically reduces the amount of new roads in the township which will need to be maintained, repaired and serviced in the future, and that represents a very significant savings for taxpayers over time. Mr. Doherty stated that the community needs to make an informed decision about cost impact if we are going to support a “no clustering” approach to zoning. General discussion took place regarding whether it was more “rural” in character to have houses spread out over large stretches of land, or to have houses clustered together and buffered/surrounded by large tracts of open space.

No consensus was reached regarding this discussion.

Mr. Davis expressed his support for a planning approach which will provide a housing plan for a variety of social and economic needs.

The pros and cons of possibly changing Wantage Township from 5-acre zoning to 7-acre zoning were discussed. General consensus was that this option deserved further review and consideration.

Mr. Davis suggested looking at the option of “agricultural” zoning. Mr. Troast suggested that in his experience, such a strategy could prove problematic in court as it could be viewed as a “taking” of the land’s value from the landowner.

Mr. Doherty asked Mr. Troast if he could provide suggestions regarding how the Open Space Advisory Committee could focus its goals and resources to maximize a return on its efforts to promote open space.

Mr. Troast suggested that the Open Space committee might wish to promote further farmland preservation on sites that are in the vicinity of existing farmland-preserved tracts of land, and pursue “open space” initiatives in the other areas of the Township. Mr. Troast stated that this strategy would promote the concept of interconnected “Greenways”; it would be given favorable consideration when seeking partnerships or grant opportunities; and it would tend to minimize complaints that might surface from the non-agricultural community regarding odors from manure, fertilizer, etc.

Mr. Solar renewed a previous suggestion regarding a strategy whereby a local government might be able to supplement the dollars being offered to property owners as an incentive to farmland preservation and open space preservation. Mr. Solar stated his belief that there was at least one New Jersey community implementing this strategy, and he offered to research this matter to identify the town and the details, for the next meeting.

General discussion took place regarding the desire of the committee to invite non-profit groups and organizations to a meeting, to discuss options and strategies for partnering with open space initiatives in Wantage Township; and to hold an open house meeting with property owners of Wantage Township who own undeveloped tracts of land of 20 acres or more. After discussion, it was agreed to invite the “partnering” organizations to the May 31 meeting of the Open Space Committee, and then when a strategy and contact information has been developed, to follow up in June with a landowners meeting.

There being no further items for consideration at this time, the committee members declared this meeting to be adjourned.
________________________________
James R. Doherty, Administrator Clerk