Economic Development: Open Space Program Explained

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County’s 25-year-old Open Space Program has changed with the times to broaden the scope of what may be funded. Freeholders acted Nov. 25 to acquire the 2.29-acre parcel in North Wildwood, known as the Eighth Street field, recently renamed Bill Henfey Park to memorialize Mayor William Henfey. The fund will pay $2.9 million, the sum the city paid in 2013. Installments of $290,000 annually will be paid for nine years. An additional $20,000 will be paid to cover closing and title insurance costs.
The city recently announced limited access to the park through March 15, 2015, weather permitting. The city will be making site improvements, including but not limited to: construction of a field-house with bathrooms, improving the softball field and basketball courts, landscape improvements, and the installation of playground equipment.
The fund was approved by voters Nov. 9, 1989 by a two-to-one margin. The trust fund was meant to create a means to acquire open space and farmland, so the county would not become fully developed.
The trust fund is built by a county property tax of one cent per $100 of assessed valuation. It is commonly referred to as the Open Space Preservation Tax. That levy generated about $5 million annually.
Once funding was in place, the county established the Division of Open Space and Farmland Preservation to oversee the program. From the outset, the program was designed to purchase only ground from willing sellers.
From 1989 to 2013, the fund bought 1,218 acres of open space, valued at $26,096,075. Additionally, it placed under deed restriction 3,148 acres of farmland for $32,961,622. Thus, according to county figures, spending almost $59 million placed 4,325 acres aside from development.
Those farms continue to produce an array of products.
Although the state enacted laws in 1997 that permitted expansion of open space and farmland preservation funds to be used for historic preservation and recreation uses, it was not until 2012 that Cape May County met with local leaders and decided it would be beneficial to all parties, including tourists who bolster county coffers mainly in the summer, to open the program to those permitted categories.
Part of the thought behind opening the fund was that under former guidelines offshore municipalities benefitted most, since there was no farmland and very limited open space on barrier islands.
Also, it was realized that historic preservation was a valued part of tourism, since many enjoy the links to the past offered by local museums and estates.
Recreational use of the fund allows more year-round residents as well as tourists to benefit from the improvements made possible by the fund.
In its 2014 program guide, the county states, “The decision to expand the Open Space Program into the realms of recreation and historic preservation has helped to enhance and protect our collective community assets, providing quality of life and economic stabilization benefits. With the aid of our municipal elected officials and the general public, that the new program direction has provided new opportunities for the public to enjoy our county’s natural and cultural resources for many years to come.”
Barbara Ernst, division director, who oversees the program, told the Herald it often takes a great deal of time to finalize details before closing on property. That is because, “This is government and public monies, so we have to be very diligent that when closing occurs, title is clear.”
Another open space acquisition made March 6, 2014 Ernst noted was 29.953 acres at 750 Dias Creek Road, Court House for $484,000, owned by G.L. South Jersey Investments.
Under the farmland preservation, development easement purchase program is a 15-acre parcel owned by Kathleen Kindle, expected to close prior to year end for $9,333.33 per acre, or $140,000.
She also reported contracts to be executed prior to year end to include two in Upper Township, on a 31.19-acre farm, the other 30 acres; in Lower Township, and a farm with 19.3 acres.
Program Objectives
The program has stated objectives to expend funds:
Preserve regionally significant public open spaces and natural resources for recreation and/or conservation purposes.
Preserve active farmland throughout the county to main the viability of the county’s agriculture industry.
Provide amenities at regional parks and recreational areas to meet local service need.
Preserve and enhance historic resources.
Provide needed spaces and amenities for community enhancement.
Partner with local municipalities to provide funding for local open space, farmland preservation, recreation, or historic preservation initiatives, including the repayment of local debt service for these purposes.
To Be Eligible
These are eligible to apply for funding:
Private property owners for farmland easements or open space land acquisition only.
Each of the county’s 16 municipalities.
County government agencies or departments.
Non-profit organizations with missions directly related to historic preservation for those projects only.
Eligible Purposes
Acquire land for conservation and recreation purposes.
Development of land acquired for recreation and conservation purposes.
Farmland acquisition or development easements for farmland preservation.
Historic preservation of historic properties, structures, facilities, sites or areas and acquisition of properties, structures, facilities, sites or areas for historic preservation purposes.
Payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the county of municipality for any of the above purposes.
A stipulation is that any funded project must be open and accessible to the general public. A long-term management or management agreement with the county, showing the terms of accessibility is mandated.
Parcels that have been set aside for farmland preservation ordinarily have a sign posted showing the public that the land is part of the program.
Deadlines
Applications for historic preservation projects are accepted once a year, this year it was Aug. 15.
Other programs have acceptance three times throughout the year. In 2014 those were April 15 and Aug. 15 and Dec. 15.
Applications have two parts, a form and narrative. Those submitted application are urged to include documentation that includes photos, schematic drawings, engineering estimates, permits and letters of support.
If a municipality is submitted an application a resolution should accompany the application.
Review and Evaluation
Between application and closing many actions occur. It is not unusual for several years to elapse before freeholders approve the funds and closing dates are set.
Currently the Open Space Board is chaired by Peter Lomax. David Craig is vice chair. Members are Michael McLaughlin and David Clemans. One seat is vacant.
Also on the board is Freeholder Will Morey, who oversees economic development, and Leslie Gimeno, planning director.
The board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. in the Intermediate Meeting Room of the County Administration Building, 4 Moore Road, Court House.
Recent Approved Projects
Following board approval, projects are given a public hearing at a freeholders’ meeting.
One such hearing July 8 considered several projects including the Ocean City skate park. At that time, City Councilman Michael DeVlieger was accompanied by a group of proponents, youths and adults, who spoke in support of the project.
At that time, $500,000 was approved for the project that won Open Space Board approval May 27. Freeholders approved a resolution awarding the money Sept. 9.
At the same hearing, freeholders approved a $255,459 request from the Cape May County Park to upgrade its bike and walking path; a $412,311 request jointly sought by Middle and Lower townships to link bike paths, enabling ferry passengers access from North Cape May to the Cape May County Park and Zoo on a bike path; a $16,450 request by the Mid-Atlantic Center for Arts and Humanities, Inc. for roof restoration on the Emlen Physick Estate roof; $85,991 request from Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation for stabilization and rehabilitation of Hangar No. 1; a $15,495 request from Historic Cold Spring Village Foundation to upgrade Cold Spring Grange Hall No. 132; and the North Wildwood Eighth Street Field project previously mentioned.
Middle Township recently broke ground at its Ockie Wisting Recreation site in Rio Grande where Open Space approved $582,000 to create the recreation complex and $44,000 for a fishing pier on the site of the former Fort Apache.
Other projects approved earlier in 2014 were $220,000 for Amanda’s Field, Upper Township, $36,260 for Lower Township for ADA upgrades, $484,040 for Woodbine to create a community park near its elementary school; $280,350 for Bayview Avenue boat ramp in Strathmere, Upper Township, $262,393 for bike path access by County Park Department for access to U.S. Fish and Wildlife in Lower Township; $488,555 for a playground and dune trail in Avalon.
On Sept. 11, Stone Harbor dedicated its Freedom Park on 96th Street, created with $99,600 from Open Space funds.
On Oct. 28, the Open Space board approved $200,000 for a Goshen Schoolhouse project.
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