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Douglass Township board backs pursuing funding to preserve 75.74-acre Long property
Summary
Representatives from Heritage Conservancy and Natural Lands asked the Douglass Township Board of Supervisors to pursue grant funding and a township appraisal to preserve the 75.74-acre Long property; the board authorized the solicitor and engineer to pursue funding and next steps.
Kris Kerns of Heritage Conservancy/Natural Lands told the Douglass Township Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 that Mrs. Long wishes the 75.74-acre Long property on Jackson Road to be preserved "in perpetuity," and asked whether the township would consider purchasing the parcel to add to its open‑space holdings.
The board agreed the parcel is worth pursuing to prevent commercial overdevelopment in the area. Chairman Joshua Stouch moved — and the board approved — a motion authorizing Solicitor Wendy McKenna and Engineer Khal Hassan to work with Heritage Conservancy and Natural Lands Trust representatives on the funding process and to obtain a township appraisal for grant purposes.
Kerns said external funding is available through open‑space grants and that the Natural Lands Trust can help secure additional funds. The board did not authorize a purchase price; instead it authorized staff and the township solicitor to begin funding applications and to arrange an appraisal so grant applications can be prepared.
The action was procedural: board members voted in favor (Bergstresser, Stouch and Carpenter voting aye). The next steps identified were obtaining a township appraisal and coordinating grant applications with Heritage Conservancy/Natural Lands.
If the appraisal and grants align, the matter would return to the board for any required appropriation or final purchase authorization.
