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Somerset County approves up to $120,000 purchase of flood-damaged lots for Lost Valley Nature Park
Summary
The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution 25-500 to acquire Block 505, Lots 26–36 from Equity Prime Mortgage LLC for a flood-buyout, with plans to remove the damaged duplex, restore the land and add it to Lost Valley Nature Park, working with Manville Borough.
The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution 25-500 authorizing the county to buy real property identified as Block 505, Lots 26 through 36 from Equity Prime Mortgage LLC for a total acquisition cost not to exceed $120,000.
County officials said the parcel contains a flood-damaged duplex that the county plans to acquire as part of a buyout program, remove the structure, restore the site and add the acreage to Lost Valley Nature Park. The county indicated it is coordinating with the Borough of Manville on the property’s integration into the park.
According to the resolution text read at the meeting, the acquisition is intended as a flood-buyout. Commissioners and staff noted the parcel is wooded, contains no improved street, and is physically connected to county-owned open space. Speakers at the meeting discussed the potential to vacate a right-of-way once ownership on both sides is consolidated, and described the site as an extension of existing preserved land in the Lost Valley area.
The motion carried on a roll-call vote with all recorded members voting yes.
Planning and land-use staff will remove the damaged improvement and restore the parcel to open space; no timeline for demolition or restoration was specified at the meeting.
