Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press township as conservator secures historic 905 Westtown Road; engineering reports due before March hearing
Summary
Neighbors urged preservation of the 905 Westtown Road property—called "Foresight Farm"—and asked the board to pursue protections. Township staff said a conservator has resecured the site, engineering assessments of the house and bridge are expected within a week, and a hearing with the judge is scheduled for March 16.
Residents pressed West Ocean Township officials Tuesday over the future of 905 Westtown Road — the former Barker property sometimes called “Foresight Farm” — urging the board to consider preservation options while the township’s conservator secures and evaluates the site.
Doug, a nearby resident who identified himself during public comment, asked whether the name “Foresight Farm” is official and urged the township to pursue preservation measures beyond buying the land outright. “Any private individual or group should be interested in purchasing the property,” he said, and suggested transferable-development rights or open-space easements as options.
Township staff responded that the conservator has resecured the building and that a structural engineer and bridge-load assessments have been conducted. “We anticipate engineering assessments to be completed for the building and the bridge within the next week,” Chris said, and added that fencing and a locked gate will be installed to address public-safety concerns. Staff also reported evidence that the property may have been used for hunting.
Neighbors described the property’s local historical connections. “The Foresight house is one of a small number of historic properties left,” said Dr. Bill Aronson, a 40-year resident and self-described amateur historian, who urged the township to engage preservation partners and involve neighbors in planning. Aronson also raised floodplain concerns, noting a creek that runs through the lower portion of the site and asking that any conservation planning protect the marsh that helps absorb floodwaters.
Board members said the conservator will use the engineering reports to inform the township and the court. Chris told the board that the conservator will present a final plan at a hearing scheduled for March 16 and that any official reports from the conservator will be posted to the township website when available. “The judge will make a decision as to what will be done,” he said.
The public urged collaboration with local preservation organizations. A speaker identified as Stephen asked the board to meet with Save Foresight Farm and the North American Land Trust to explore options and noted connections between nearby abolitionist-era sites and the property. Several residents asked the board to ensure neighbors within the immediate area are given opportunities to participate in the conservatorship process; staff said the court determines party status and that some nearby residents attempted to become parties but did not meet the judge’s conditions.
Next steps: the township expects engineering and bridge-load reports in about a week, the conservator will finalize a plan to present to the court at the March 16 hearing, and staff committed to posting official reports on the township website once they are available.
