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Monroe Township planning board approves Greenvest lot‑line adjustment amid access-easement dispute
Summary
The Monroe Township Planning Board approved PB1262‑24, a lot‑line adjustment by Greenvest LLC that transfers small slivers of land to adjacent homeowners while preserving a roughly 39‑acre conservation easement; a neighboring farm owner objected, alleging blocked access and inclusion of his land in mitigation maps.
The Monroe Township Planning Board voted to approve PB1262‑24, an application from Greenvest LLC to adjust lot lines and deed small slivers of land to two adjacent residential properties, while keeping the main 39‑acre parcel in a conservation easement.
Jen Johnson, an attorney with Flaster Greenberg representing Greenvest, told the board the application is a minor subdivision that “in actuality is a lot line adjustment” to resolve long‑standing encroachments and that the larger parcel will “remain a conservation easement in perpetuity.” Brian Kramer, vice president of Greenvest, testified the company buys properties for habitat conservation and wetland mitigation and said, “We purchased it primarily to preserve it.”
During public comment, Edward John Kurczewski, who identified himself as owner of the historic Bailey Davidson Cranberry Farm at 16 Federal Road, urged the board to delay approval. Kurczewski said he and his brother hold a 10‑foot access easement and water rights dating to 1908 and alleged obstruction of that easement: “They put a gate up and stopped us from accessing our property,” he said, and asked how his property had apparently come to appear on mitigation maps included in the application packet.
Greenvest representatives responded that recorded easements are shown on the survey and that the conservation easement did not include the easement Kurczewski referenced. Brian Kramer said the gate was installed to deter ATVs and “it's not locked,” and that Greenvest had walked and described the old roadway and recorded an access easement where appropriate. The company said it is not proposing changes to existing easements and that any maintenance of an easement remains the responsibility of the easement owner.
Board professionals reviewed the file and the planner noted the applicant submitted a review letter (dated 11/11/2024) and that, because the application does not propose new construction, a waiver to Subsection G (curb/sidewalk improvements and associated contribution) would be customary. The planner and board counsel reiterated that disputes about alleged blocking or maintenance of an easement are enforcement matters for a court and not within the planning board’s enforcement authority.
After discussion the board moved to approve PB1262‑24 and grant the requested waiver to Subsection G. The motion passed on roll call; members voting in favor identified themselves on the record. The applicant agreed to correct plan typos and to satisfy outstanding professional review comments as conditions of approval.
The board also accepted a memorialization for PB125022 (Federal Business Centers Inc.), closed the public portion when no additional speakers remained and adjourned the meeting.
