Government

Brick Approves Preservation of Two Acres of Land Near Busy Intersection

by
Daniel Nee
December 13, 2023

Brick council members put their final stamp of approval on the purchase of approximately 1.75 acres of land in the township’s Herbertsville section, divided between several lots, at their meeting Tuesday night.

The council passed a bond ordinance valued at $390,000 for the purchase of the properties near the intersection of Herbertsville Road and Maple Avenue, a three-way intersection where a Krauszer’s convenience store and a Dunkin’ Donuts location are often accessed by both vehicles and pedestrians at the same time. A traffic light controls vehicle movements at the intersection, including a light that controls access to the driveway of the Dunkin’ Donuts store, a former bank.

The property at Herbertsville Road and Maple Avenue under consideration for preservation, Nov. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The largest portion of the preservation area runs along Herbertsville Road, while the smaller portion is located at the terminus of Second Avenue where it meets Maple. Neither property is developed; both are wooded and both abut more than 100 acres of land that is already either preserved as part of the Sawmill Trail or the Brick Township fire training center.

The parcels are being purchased from a willing seller; they are not being taken by eminent domain. The bond is to be paid off over the course of 40 years.

Officials said the purchase will prevent development in an area that already experiences heavy traffic and is also home to several sensitive animal species.

The property at Herbertsville Road and Maple Avenue under consideration for preservation, Nov. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The properties are located in what is known as the “Village Zone,” which allows mixed-use commercial and residential development, Mayor Lisa Crate said. The same land also houses the Cooper’s Hawk, Great Blue Heron and Bard Owl during their respective seasons.

The parcels were identified as being ripe for preservation by the Brick Open Space Savers committee, known by its acronym, the “BOSS” committee. The township plans to continue its efforts to preserve land across town where it is feasible – financially and otherwise – to do so, Crate said.