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Hampton officials weigh purchase of flood‑prone 4336 Route 8 property for $31,000
Summary
Hampton Township officials told the council Feb. 12 they have been offered the chance to buy a roughly 1.5‑acre property at 4336 Route 8 for $31,000, and staff recommended pursuing the purchase to address repeated flooding and to preserve options for future stormwater work.
Hampton Township officials told the council Feb. 12 they have been offered the chance to buy a roughly 1.5‑acre property at 4336 Route 8 for $31,000, and staff recommended pursuing the purchase to address repeated flooding and to preserve options for future stormwater work.
Township staff described the parcel as having two houses, one of which sits in the floodplain of a Pine Creek tributary and in the lower unit a fire last year left the structure in its present, damaged state. The current owner bought the property at sheriff’s sale in March of last year and, according to staff, has offered to sell to the township for the amount he paid with the contingency that he demolishes both houses by June.
The manager said the location is “one of the major gateways” to the township and that the lower house has flooded “several times already.” Staff noted the site’s creekside location makes it a potential future site for stormwater management or creek stabilization. Amanda (public works) and Albert Cohen met with the owner and have been working with him on repairs and the potential transaction.
Council members asked whether the upper house is habitable; staff said it has been vacant for some time and appears to lack active utility connections. Staff confirmed the purchase would be paid from the stormwater capital fund. The manager said the owner had filed for demolition and that staff expect the property owner to move forward; he also explained that FEMA floodplain rules complicated renovation work because the planned renovations exceeded 50% of the home’s value, triggering requirements that the owner found difficult to meet.
No formal vote was recorded in the meeting minutes; the manager recommended the township pursue acquisition and follow up on demolition timing and permitting. If the township proceeds, staff said the site could be held or used for future stormwater projects.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the owner, confirm demolition permits and timing, and put any formal purchase authorization on a future council agenda.
