Town hopes to preserve land slated for 12 homes Spotswood asks Middlesex County to purchase 5 acres BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer SPOTSWOOD - - The borough is asking Middlesex County to purchase 5 acres that are otherwise expected to be developed with homes. The Borough Council approved a resolution last week asking the county to include the property on the town's open space priority list and to consider its purchase. The request is rather urgent, as Zigga Homes Inc. has approval from the borough's Zoning Board of Adjustment to develop the land, located at the corner of Brunswick Avenue and Old Stage Road. Councilman Thomas Barlow said the property was subdivided into 14 lots that would allow 12 single-family homes. The developer is still awaiting DEP permits and other necessities before construction can begin. During the June 4 meeting, Councilwoman Marge Drozd thanked Barlow for his efforts in getting the county's attention. While Barlow said he is "cautiously optimistic" that the county will purchase the property, there is no guarantee. Council President Curtis Stollen said the resolution will be forwarded to the county, along with a letter he signed asking the county Board of Chosen Freeholders to place the request on their agenda. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and am certainly hopeful," Stollen said. "It would be wonderful to keep some open space and property under borough control rather than a developer's." Mayor Barry Zagnit said he would like to see the county purchase the property. Not only would the land be maintained as open space, but the borough would avoid having more families with schoolchildren, thus adding to the school tax burden. "I think if there's an opportunity to get it through open space, it's very wise to do so," Zagnit said. The borough's request is being processed by the county, he said, and Spotswood will be notified as soon as a decision is made. "This is the first step," he said. Barlow said he is hopeful the county will come back with an answer within three or four months. He said the county would be the party actually purchasing the site, but appraisals would need to be performed first. By law, the county could not pay more than those appraisals. Drozd said the process is also contingent on the county being able to get Zigga Homes Inc. to agree to the appraisal price. The property is thought to be the last large plot of land available for development in Spotswood, and Drozd said many people who live near the area are waiting anxiously to see what transpires. "There's a lot of consternation from people who have had woods there and don't want a disruption," she said. Drozd and other officials could not put a dollar amount on the property. "The county would have to acquire the lots, then have to negotiate a price," she said. If purchased by the county, the land may be partially used for what Drozd described as a senior and youth recreation center. The land's preservation would be a "wonderful thing for the town," she said, though it is far from a sure thing. "We are absolutely not sure of it," Drozd said. "We just initiated the process and there's a road to travel. But we're very hopeful this will be looked at favorably."