Gloucester Township council approves Green Acres-backed purchase for Hyder Lane open space after public questions

Gloucester Township council voted on Feb. 23 to advance a bond ordinance authorizing up to $3,000,000 for the acquisition of 16 acres at 1550 Hyder Lane, an action the council said is intended to preserve recreational and open space in the township.

The vote followed a public hearing in which resident Brian Burns questioned the purchase price and the township27s process for identifying properties for preservation. Burns cited a recent sale and assessment of the parcel near $185,000 and asked why the township would pay $2,000,000. "That doesn't seem quite right," Burns said, providing maps and documentation he said supported preserving a nearby 4-acre natural heritage site on Hixtown Road.

Town staff responded that the purchase price reflects appraisals prepared for the Green Acres application and the property's development potential. "One appraisal came in at 2,820,000. The other came in at 2,000,880," a staff member said, and noted Green Acres awarded the township $2,000,000 on April 25, 2025 and is considering an additional $205,000 to bring the grant to roughly 75% of a $2,880,000 valuation. The township would finance the remaining approximately $735,000 over a 40-year term, staff said, and advised against using the municipal general fund for capital acquisitions meant for preservation.

Supporters said the property had zoning approval for a 60-unit, three-story apartment building, which increased its appraised value and motivated the township to preserve it. Council members also acknowledged the township has a limited open-space fund (from a 2001 referendum) and that Green Acres funding often covers a significant share of acquisition costs.

Motion and vote The council moved and approved the bond ordinance (Ord. 026-03) by roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Councilmembers listed on the roll call: Munoz, Albury Troxell, Nash, Walters, Castro and Mercado.

Votes at a glance - Ord. 026-03 (Hyder Lane bond ordinance): Approved by roll call; Green Acres award $2,000,000; additional $205,000 under consideration; balance financed over 40 years. - Ord. 026-04 (exceed municipal cap and establish cap bank): Introduced and approved on motion and roll call to allow the township to bank cap beyond state limits. - Ord. 026-05 (repeal/replace chapter 500 article 9: affordable housing fees and procedures): Introduced and approved on motion and roll call to align local fees with the 2024 Fair Housing Act and NJAC rules. - Ord. 026-06 (repeal/replace chapter 500 article 10: affordable housing procedures and eligibility): Introduced and approved on motion and roll call to ensure compliance with UHAC/NJAC and the municipal housing element. - Consent agenda items and resolutions (including R2602-087 adopting a settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center, and R2602-088/089 referring affordable housing fee/procedure ordinances to the planning board): Approved by roll call.

Why it matters If completed, the Hyder Lane acquisition would remove the parcel from potential development and preserve the site for recreation and habitat. The council27s use of Green Acres funding is intended to limit the township27s out-of-pocket cost, but residents raised questions about appraisal variance and the pace of Green Acres approvals. Council members said pursuing Green Acres grant funds is the fiscally prudent path for significant preservation purchases.

Next steps The council recorded the motions and roll-call votes on Feb. 23; the bond ordinance and related financing will proceed through the usual administrative and legal steps for closing and Green Acres reimbursement, and staff indicated ongoing coordination with Green Acres on the additional $205,000 application.