Selected Press Coverage (All material is copyrighted by its source corporation.)
From an article in the Examiner by Linda DeNicola, 24 May 2001: "Notterman Site to Join Assunpink Wildlife Area" "Crossroads of Revolution Search Prompted Green Acres Interest" "Now that the state Department of Environmental Protection's Green Acres program has closed on the Notterman tract, it will become part of the Assunpink Wildlife Area and will be managed by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. "The $1.7 million deal between the former property owners, siblings Daniel and Abby Notterman [and Green Acres], was finalized on April 27. The purchase includes 109 acres of open farmland and woodlands on Eleanor Lane and North Valley Road, between the Solar Village and the Roosevelt Cemetery. The tract adjoins Empty Box Brook, which drains into the Assunpink. "According to Catherine Drake, project manager for the Green Acres program, the money for the acquisition came from the Garden State Preservation Trust. "The Garden State Preservation Trust creates a stable source of funding for natural resource, farmland and historic site preservation. Former Gov. Christie Whitman signed the Garden State Preservation Act in June 1999 after voters approaved the permanent funding source by referendum in November 1998. "Last December, Whitman went to Roosevelt and signed legislation that appropriated $8.3 million to help counties, towns and nonprofit groups keep the best lands from being developed. "Speaking at the Roosevelt Public School, she said that the borough would be one of the towns to benefit from the legislation. Note: At that time, the Fund's Farmland Preservation Project was the reason for her comment. "Roosevelt Planning Board Chairwoman Gail Hunton said recently that the board is delighted that the tract was acquired since it is part of the historic greenbelt in Roosevelt. Hunton said that the borough had nothing to do with the purchase. Green Acres initiated the discussions with the owners on its own. "Drake explained that the DEP came across the property while looking in the area for large lots as part of the Crossroads of the American Revolution project. "'The Crossroads of the American Revolution project is a project where we are trying to link Revolutionary War sites across the state. It helps us to interpret New Jersey's role in the American Revolution. We saw this lot and made inquiries. We did not know the history of the property,' Drake said. "The Notterman tract was involved in many months of Planning Board hearings and two lawsuits. "A developer was pursuing an application to construct 65 homes on the site. The developer sought variance waivers and design specifications deemed contrary to land use standards in the borough. "After months of hearings, testimony from the applicant's professional consultants and a series of public hearings, the board denied the application, citing a lack of sufficient time to review the testimony and to hear rom its own professional consultants as well as the public. "When the board denied the application, the developer backed out of the offer and the Nottermans filed suit,claiming the decision caused them financial harm and interfered with their right to develop the property." From an article in the Examiner by Linda DeNicola, 24 May 2001: "Roosevelt Land Swap a 'Win-Win' for Everyone" "Town agrees to trade 2.5 acres of Green Acres property for 5-acre tract" "Roosevelt may be a tiny town, but it has a large number of community-minded people. One of them, Elizabeth Battel, has made the town an offer officials would have to be crazy to refuse. She has offered to swap five acres of her wooded property for a little over two and a half acres of a state Green Acres parcel. Note: Beth Battel is a Trustee of the Fund for Roosevelt. "Battel, who owns a 38-acre horse farm where she raises, breeds and boards horses, said she'd like to swap some of her land on the northeast side of Lake Drive, for land that she has been using as a horse pasture for the past 22 years. "'The property, part of Footlight Farm, on Route 571, is in the [Department of Environmental Protection's] Green Acres program, and according to the program, it can't be fenced,' she explained. "In order to use the fenced pasture for her 20 horses, Battel has had to make arrangements with the borough every year. In turn, the borough had to make arrangements with the state Green Acres Program. The lease was terminated by Green Acres, Mayor Michael Hamilton explained. "According to Ralph Seligman another resident who served on the borough Planning Board for 30 years, Green Acres controls the land. "'They gave us a grant to purchase the land, but it came with open space restrictions,' he said. "Seligman, who prepared the borough's original and only master plan, and related zoning regulations, said that section of Lake Drive was not designated by the original designer of the borough. "'According to the best sources I have, that portion of Lake Drive was probably added on by the [U.S. Army] Corps of Engineers.' "Seligman said the original designer thought that people should not be removed from nature so Roosevelt was designed to be a green-belt town with every house having open space behind it that would never be built upon. "It was an early model of cluster housing, a design for development that is quite popular right now, Seligman said. 'We were the first cluster development in New Jersey, but Lake Drive never had that,' he said. "With the land swap, Battel will be providing the open space that this part of town needs to be in conformance with the original design. "'I've offered five acres of woods behind the houses on Lake Drive for a little pasture land,' Battel said, adding, 'The original concept of the town was that there would be undeveloped land behind every house. This is the only part of town that doesn't have open [public] land.' "The borough has drafted a resolution to support the filing of an application with the Green Acres program. Neither Seligman, nor Hamilton, foresee any problem with the plan. 'Open space still remains open space, and it continues the historic pattern of our green belt town,' Seligman said. "He added: 'The Green Acres program is more flexible than most state program[s]. You can transfer land, if you give two for one. They are reasonable, if you can come up with a two for one swap that seems equitable.' "The Battel property wraps around the side of Lake Drive that does not contain public land, Seligman explained. 'This deal will protect the northern side of the street. Now the houses there will get the full stretch of permanent open space. It solves a problem for Beth [Battel] and doesn't diminish the open space.' "Hamilton credits Seligman with putting together the proposal. 'It was part of his vision of continuing the Roosevelt plan. His guidance made this possible. He met with Beth several times and walked the property with her,' he said. "He is also grateful to Battel whose generosity to the community did not begin with this deal. "'Beth has been wonderful for the town. Besides her horse farm being a good ratable, she has been involved in other community projects. When we were building a new playground behind the Roosevelt Elementary School, she rode her back hoe over to dig holes in order to anchor the playground equipment.' "Hamilton called the land swap a 'win-win situation, because it remains as land that doesn't have building on it. It's a wonderful thing.'" From an editorial in the Examiner, 24 May 2001: "Everything's Coming up Roses for Roosevelt" "Last week we learned that the Notterman tract would be preserved as open space. "Now this week, we learned that the borough is going to gain another 2 1/2 acres of open space through a land swap involving Green Acres. "In both cases, residents will benefit. "The 109-acre Notterman tract purchase is particularly significant because of its size and the way the preservation came about. In most cases, towns spend months, and even years, trying to get Green Acres funds to preserve property. "In this particular case, the town had nothing to do with it. "And it turns out, Green Acres officials came across the parcel while looking for large lots for the Crossroads of the American Revolution project, which will link Revolutionary War sites around the state and interpret the state's role in the historic conflict. "Funding is from the Garden State Preservation Trust, which was established after voters approved a permanent funding source in 1998. "Instead of the Crossroads of the Revolution project, the Notterman tract, which was acquired at a cost of $1.7 million, will become part of the vast Assunpink Wildlife Area and will be managed by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, a plus for Roosevelt. "The smaller land swap which Roosevelt officials support, but which requires Green Acres approval, will also be a feather in the borough's cap. Elizabeth Battel, who has been using the smaller 2.5-acre Green Acres tract for 22 years, needs it for horse pasture. The five-acre parcel she is willing to trade to the borough will fill a gap in the town's original cluster design, in which each house was supposed to have undeveloped land behind it. "Mayor Michael Hamilton calls the swap a 'win-win situation' because it provides even more borough open space. "We agree." From an article in the Examiner, 17 May 2001: "State Green Acres Buys Notterman Site" "Roosevelt tract owners previously went to court to try to develop land" "A Roosevelt Planning Board decision to turn down a builder's application brought about two lawsuits, one against the borough and one against the Planning Board. The litigation was initiated by the property owners. Last week the matter was happily resolved when the state Green Acres program decided to purchase the property. "The borough started out with two lawsuits pertaining to the Notterman tract, which will now remain open space through Green Acres, Mayor Michael Hamilton said. "In April, the lawsuit against the Planning Board was decided to the board's favor, and since then the suit against the borough was dismissed, Hamilton explained during the Borough Council meeting on Monday. "According to Planning Board Chairwoman Gail Hunton, the state Green Acres program initiated discussions on its own with property owners Daniel and Abby Notterman, siblings who own[ed] 110 acres on Eleanor Lane and North Valley Road, between the Solar Village and the Roosevelt Cemetery. "The tract is open farmland and woodlands which adjoin Empty Box Brook and drain into the Assunpink, Hunton said. "'The Planning Board is delighted the tract was acquired since it is part of the historic greenbelt in Roosevelt,' she said. "It didn't look as though this land dispute would end on a good note when the Nottermans sued the Planning Board and the borough of Roosevelt after the board denied the subdivision application from Matzel and Mumford in October 1999. The developer, which has since been acquired by the Hovnanian company, was seeking to build 65 residential homes on the Notterman tract. "The applicant was seeking variance waivers and design specifications deemed contrary to land use standards in the borough. After months of hearings, testimony from the applicant's professional consultants and a series of public hearings, the board denied the application, citing a lack of sufficient time to review the testimony and to hear from its own professional consultants, as well as the public. "When the board denied the application, Matzel and Mumford backed out on the offer and the Nottermans filed suit, claiming the decision caused them financial harm and interfered with their right to develop their property. "In mid 2000, the borough had offered a settlement proposal to the Nottermans, but the property owners rejected the proposal and went to trial. "'The settlement offer was part of the Planning Board's attempt to restate conditions under which it would approve a development application. We stated all the reasons why we denied the application and why we felt so strongly about it,' Hunton explained. "Neither Green Acres representatives nor the Nottermans could be reached for comment by press time." From an article in ECO-LOGIC [Environmental Newsletter of the Monmouth County Planning Board], Spring 2001: "Roosevelt Utilizes a new Approach to Farmland Preservation" "The Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board (MCADB) prides itself on being flexible and user-friendly. As methods used for preserving farmland in New Jersey have been expanding, and communities have been tailoring the program to their individual needs, the MCADB has been at the forefront providing support and assistance. They recognize that the cookie cutter approach does not always work. Although most communities in Monmouth County are facing similar development pressures, the degree varies, as does the local governments' involvement in land preservation. "One example of a successful new approach can be found in the Borough of Roosevelt. Roosevelt has an interesting history, dating back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's creation of the town in 1936 as a Works Project Administration [sic] community. The government planned and designed the community with the intent of creating a self-sustaining community for poor garment workers from New York City to live. The government built the homes, a factory, a public works system and a school. The town design provided for designated agricultural areas, home sites and green belts throughout the town. As a result of this unique history and design, Roosevelt is the only municipality in New Jersey, in its entirety, to be a registered National Historic Site. Note: The community was established not by the WPA, but by the Department of Agriculture's Farm Security Administration. "The citizens of Roosevelt are proud of their town heritage and appreciate the historical design of their town. So, when they saw the pressures of development encroaching, they banded together and formed Fund for Roosevelt (FFR), a non-profit group dedicated to preserving the historical, agricultural and environmental features of the community. "As the group was deciding how to approach preservation of their farmland, the new Planning Incentive Grant legislation had just been published. The Planning Incentive Grants allow communities to submit a group of properties, or project area, to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for funding. If approved, the entire project area is granted funding. It is much more efficient than the traditional easement purchase program because you can preserve contiguous blocks of property simultaneously, rather than through the traditional route of one property at a time. "FFR's first step was to approach the landowners in the community to discuss their options for preservation. They were successful with three landowners who were looking to sell their properties. FFR entered into contracts with the landowners to purchase their properties from them, with the intention of simultaneously selling the development rights to the county, and then, selling the farms as preserved farmland. Working together, the MCADB and FFR put together a Planning Incentive Grant request for submission to the SADC. The grant was subsequently approved. The project should be complete in the Spring, with the addition of 246 acres of contiguous farmland preserved in Monmouth County. These 246 acres represent almost 50% of Roosevelt's remaining farmland. It will also most likely be the first closing in the entire state using the Planning Incentive Grant method. Note: The number of acres of farmland involved excluding land in the right of way of roads is 240. "Each year more State funds are being dedicated to farmland preservation. There are many options for landowners and communities to use to save their farmland. Hopefully, Roosevelt's example is just the beginning of new approaches to preservation using the County and State funding." From an article in Examiner, 21 December 2000: "Legislation Paves Way for Farmland Preservation "Whitman visits Roosevelt where nonprofit group has worked to save land. "Fresh off a trip to Washington, D.C., to discuss a possible position in the administration of President-elect George W. Bush, Gov. Christie Whitman was in town on Tuesday to sign historic legislation to preserve farmland. "In a morning ceremony at the Roosevelt Public School, Whitman signed legislation that would appropriate $8.3 million to help counties, towns and nonprofit groups keep the best lands from being developed through open space preservation. "Funding from the legislation will help to preserve land in Roosevelt near Nurko Road and Route 571. "'We are working hard to make sure in this state that we are preserving as much open space as possible,' Whitman said. 'We're working to strike a balance between building where it makes sense and preserving as much land as we can.' "The ceremony was attended by state Secretary of Agriculture Arthur Brown, Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone, Roosevelt Mayor Michael Hamilton, trustees and officials of the Fund for Roosevelt and members of the community. "According to a press release from the governor's office, 'one of the things this bill will do is to help pay for preserving 240 acres of farmland in Roosevelt.' "The legislation was sponsored by senators Robert E. Litell and Martha W. Bark as well as Assembly members Connie Myers and Melvin Cottrell. Note: Assemblywoman Myers was also an important author of the Planning Incentive Grant legislation that allowed farms to be preserved in groups. The Fund for Roosevelt is very proud to make our town the first ever to preserve more than one New Jersey farm in a single application -- using the Planning Incentive Grant program. "Whitman spent Monday in Washington, D. C., meeting with officials in Bush's transition team. Her visit to Roosevelt -- which had been planned several weeks ago -- drew a large media contingent anxious to question her about her possible role in the Bush administration. "Whitman refused to comment on speculation about a possible position in the Bush administration. One position to which her name has been linked is administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Questioned about her qualifications for that post, Whitman defended her environmental record as governor. "'I am very proud of the environment in New Jersey. Fines are down because pollution is down,' the governor said. 'Our air quality is better than it's ever been and we are preserving open space at a record pace.' "The Fund for Roosevelt, an organization created to help preserve open space in the borough, began after a zoning ordinance was adopted on Dec. 30, 1998 that permitted the construction of up to 350 age-restricted homes in the borough. However, an application for such an adult community has never come before the Planning Board. "According to a release from the fund, 'In 1998, residents of the borough became aware that the farms in town were actively attracting development on a scale that some viewed as potentially socially destructive to the town.' "The fund does not hold on to the farmland that is purchased. After land is purchased, the fund works to sell the land. Fund President Rod Tulloss told the Examiner in October 1999, 'The development rights for these properties will be purchased through New Jersey state programs and permanently retired.' "On Oct. 23, 1999, administrators of the fund signed the organization's first option agreement to purchase farmland. The property is west of Route 571 on both sides of Nurko Road. The land on the northern side of Nurko Road is approximately 90 acres, which currently has a buyer lined up. "The southern tract of land is still without a buyer. The real estate agent representing the fund, David J. Ennis, of Pittstown, has been in contact with prospective buyers. "'This land will have a house built on a single acre, set back from the road and shielded from view by trees,' said Tulloss. Note: The house will be shielded from the view from neighboring homes. Any construction at the designated house site will be visible in the distance from both Nurko Road and Route 571 (Rochdale Avenue). "In addition to seeking a buyer for the southern tract of farmland on Nurko Road, members of the fund will continue their fund-raising activities." From an item in The Times (Trenton), 20 December 2000: "Gov. Christie Whitman came to Roosevelt Elementary School yesterday to sign legislation approving $8.3 million to preserve open space throughout the state, including 240 acres in of farmland in Roosevelt Borough. Borough Mayor Mike Hamilton, who won the Democratic primary last year on a platform opposing sprawl, praised Whitman for her preservation efforts. Note: Hamilton also won the mayoral vote in the general election. "'This event is a fitting tribute for a town that is a living example of good planning,' he said. 'Roosevelt's genius is in its planning, our design of clustered housing surrounded by wide swaths of forest, open space and farmland. We feel connected to each other and with nature.' In the picture at right, Whitman walks beneath a 1936 mural at the school after signing the legislation. In the picture below, Whitman addresses youngsters and adults." Note: We will attempt to obtain permission to use at least one of these pictures on this page. From an editorial in Examiner, 14 December 2000: "Preservation Efforts Rate as Important Achievement "Congratulations are in order for the administrators and members of the Fund for Roosevelt. In what fund President Rod Tulloss called 'the culmination of 19 months of hard work,' state funding will become available to support the nonprofit group's preservation efforts. "As part of her goal to preserve 1 million acres of open space in the Garden State, Gov. Christie Whitman is scheduled to visit Roosevelt on Dec. 19 to sign legislation that will make funding available for preservation purposes. "In Roosevelt, that funding will help to ensure that two tracts of land along Route 571 at Nurko Road will forever remain in their natural state. "The property is west of Route 571 on both sides of Nurko Road. The land on the northern side of Nurko Road is approximately 90 acres. The southern tract is about 150 acres. "In a ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Roosevelt Public School, Whitman is expected to sign a farmland preservation appropriations bill. "In keeping with Roosevelt's tradition of local participation, the governor is expected to sign the legislation in front of residents young and old alike who all have a stake in the future of this community. "As is so often the case at the school, students will get a front-row seat at another unique event. "In a statement, the Fund for Roosevelt said Whitman's planned signing of the law in Roosevelt 'will be continued evidence of New Jersey's commitment to farmland preservation and the support that this gives to communities.' "Much has been accomplished by the members of the Fund for Roosevelt in the relatively short time the fund has existed. Putting together the deals that have resulted in the preservation of the Nurko Road parcels is a major achievement. "In addition to seeking a buyer for the southern tract of farmland on Nurko Road -- a buyer for the northern tract has already been found -- members of the fund will continue their fund-raising activities. "The Fund for Roosevelt is an example of citizens identifying a goal and working toward it, using government as a partner to achieve an objective that appears to carry a long-term benefit for the community." From an article by Brian Walsh in Examiner, 14 December 2000: "Preservation Bill Will Aid Roosevelt "New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman is expected to visit Roosevelt on Dec. 19 to sign legistlation that will forever have an impact on the landscape of this historic community. "In a ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Roosevelt Public School, Whitman is expected to sign a farmland preservation appropriations bill. The legislation will provide state funds that will be used to preserve farmland in the borough. "In a statement, the Fund for Roosevelt, an organization created to help preserve open space in the borough, said Whitman's planned signing of the law in Roosevelt 'will be continued evidence of New Jersey's commitment to farmland preservation and the support that this gives to communities." "The fund began after a zoning ordinance was adopted on Dec. 30, 1998, that permitted the construction of up to 350 age-restricted homes in the borough. However, an applicant for such an adult community has never come before the Planning Board. "According to the release, 'In 1998, residents of the borough became aware that the farms in town were actively attracting development on a scale that some viewed as potentially socially destructive to the town.' "The fund does not hold on to the farmland that is purchased. After land is purchased, the fund works to sell the land. Fund President Rod Tulloss told the Examiner in October 1999, 'The development rights for these properties will be purchased through New Jersey state programs and permanently retired.' "There are no paid employees for the fund and trustees are not compensated for their work with the organization. "On Oct. 23, 1999, administrators of the fund signed the organization's first option agreement to purchase farmland. The property is west of Route 571 on both sides of Nurko Road. The land on the northern side of Nurko Road is approximately 90 acres, which currently has a buyer lined up. "The southern tract of land is still without a buyer. Administrators of the fund hope to sell this 150-acre tract soon. "'This land will have a house builton a single acre, set back from the road shielded from view by trees,' said Tulloss. Note: A single house is permitted to be built at a fixed location that will be visible in the distance both from Nurko Road and from Route 571 (Rochdale Avenue). The buyer may choose not to build. "Of Whitman's visit to Roosevelt to seal the deal, Tulloss said, 'Signing the legislation at the school would allow the community, including our children, to participate in our community's life, in the way in which we are accustomed.' "Tulloss said he recommended the school after he reconsidered the original plan for the event to take place on farmland. "'I thought the unplowed area might be too small for the sort of involvement of citizens that is in the nature of this community,' he said. "In addition to seeking a buyer for the southern tract of farmland on Nurko Road, members of the fund will continue their fund-raising activities. "'We are within $34,000 of finishing our fund raising,' said Tulloss." Contact the Fund for Roosevelt. Most recently modified
29 May 2001. |
