Open Space Preservation Program

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

INTRODUCTION
Somerset County began the process of preserving its open space with the formation of the Somerset County Park Commission in 1956, and the development of a plan to create a countywide park system was undertaken. From an original goal set in 1958 of protecting 2,250 acres of recreational open space, today the system includes almost 15,000 acres, of which almost three-quarters is undeveloped.

Somerset County has been identified as one of the most desirable places in New Jersey and in the country to live, work, and to locate a business. The resulting development and ongoing development pressure present a constant challenge to the County and its land preservation efforts. Ongoing development combined with the effects of climate change further the need to preserve land. All land acquired for open space is preserved in perpetuity for recreation and conservation purposes.

Program Overview

Preserves open space for conservation, passive uses, and active recreation.
Partners with municipalities and nonprofits for the preservation of land for recreation and conservation purposes.
Advises the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners on potential open space projects through the Open Space Advisory Committee.
Educates the public on the importance of open space preservation.
Works closely with the Somerset County Park Commission to properly steward and develop the land under its management.

OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) was organized under and authorized to exercise the authority of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners) by resolution in May 1991. The committee provides bi-partisan representation in recommendations to the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners for the expenditures of funds from the Somerset County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund for open space acquisition projects, acquisition grants, and development grants.

The Open Space Advisory Committee consists of ten voting members, one member and one citizen appointee each from the Board of County Commissioners, County Planning Board, and County Park Commission and two citizen appointees each from the Democratic and Republican parties. The term for each voting member is one year. The Office of Planning, Policy and Economic Development oversees the administrative responsibilities of the committee.

The Open Space Advisory Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month (third Wednesday in January) at 5:30 p.m. In-person meetings are held in January, May, September, and November at the County Administration Building. All other meetings are held virtually.

2024 Voting Members

Christopher Kelly, Chair
Kerry Haselton, Vice-Chair
Suzanne Ochse, Secretary
Melonie Marano, County Commissioner
Helen Haines
Jeff Hammond
Randy Jones
Amber Murad
Saad Toor

Staff

Walter C. Lane, AICP/PP, Director, Office of Planning, Policy & Economic Development
Thomas Boccino, PP/LLA, Supervising Planner – Preservation
Dan Hayes, Director, Somerset County Park Commission
Josephine Taranto, Preservation Planner

OSAC 2022 Annual Report

OSAC 2023 Annual Report

THE VALUE OF OPEN SPACE
Open space is land which has remained undeveloped and largely in its natural state or has been altered to specifically serve recreational needs. The value and function of open space exists regardless of public or private ownership however, public ownership guarantees preservation in perpetuity and provides access and availability for public use.

The value of open space is typically characterized in terms of its functions and can be considered in the broad categories below:

Recreational Opportunities – Open space for both passive and active recreation serves as parks and recreation areas; conservation areas and preserves; historic and cultural sites; and critical linkages and corridors for wildlife and public users.
Ecological Functions – Open space provides highly valued environmental protection functions. Among the functions are clean air and water; aquifer recharge; flood protection and storage; wildlife habitat including rare, threatened, and endangered species; wilderness; and biodiversity.
Quality of Life – Open space provides direct safety and physical and mental health benefits related to recreation, environmental protection, aesthetic and visual relief, and preservation of cultural features and cultural heritage.
Economic Values – Open space with active and passive recreational opportunities provides economic benefit through tourism. In addition, property values of land adjacent to preserved open space are often enhanced.

OPEN SPACE FUNDING
In 1989, the Somerset County Board of Commissioners authorized a referendum on the establishment of a preservation trust fund to support the protection of open space. The ballot was passed, and the Somerset County Open Space Preservation Trust Fund was established soon after. Funds were collected through a tax of $0.015 per $100 of assessed property valuation. In 1997 the public voted to double the tax to $0.03 per $100 of assessed property valuation. Somerset County has been preserving land through the Trust Fund ever since. In 2005, a ballot question was introduced and overwhelmingly passed to allocate up to 25% of the tax collected to be used for development of active and passive recreational facilities. In addition to funding through the open space tax, Somerset County has secured funding through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program in the form of grants and loans.

The County partners with municipalities and non-profit organizations to cost share in the acquisition of land. The County offers funding assistance through the Special Projects Grant Program for municipal and nonprofit open space acquisition projects, the Recreational Grant Program for municipal recreation development projects, and the County Flood Mitigation Funding Program for municipal acquisition of flood prone residential properties.

Special Projects Grant Program – Established by the County to assist municipalities and nonprofits with the preservation of land for recreation and conservation purposes. Lands preserved through this program must be deed restricted for recreation and conservation purposes only and if applicable, listed on the municipal or nonprofit Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI). The program is administered on a rolling basis with no deadline. Grant awards are dependent on the annual allocation of funds by the County Commissioners and the number of requests being considered. No minimum match is required but is recommended. The Special Projects Grant Program does not have specific guidelines or a formal application process. Municipalities and nonprofits interested in requesting funding through this process should contact the Supervising Planner -Preservation to initiate the process.
Recreational Grant Program – Established by the County to assist municipalities with the development and upgrade of active and passive recreational facilities on preserved land. Maintenance of existing facilities is not considered an eligible project. The program is administered on a rolling basis with no deadline. Grant awards are dependent on the annual allocation of funds by the County Commissioners and the number of requests being considered. No minimum match is required but is recommended either through direct project funding or in-kind contribution.

Grant Program guidelines
Grant Program checklist
Grant Program sign guidelines

County Flood Mitigation Funding Program – Established by the County assist municipalities in the acquisition of residences that have experienced severe, repetitive flooding, or homes that have sustained substantial damage. The program will assist municipalities by providing a match requirement for land acquisition projects through FEMA and the NJ Blue Acres Program or serve as the primary funding source for properties outside of the federal or state programs. Lands preserved through this program must be deed restricted for recreation and conservation purposes only and if applicable, listed on the municipal Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI). The program is administered on a rolling basis with no deadline. Grant awards are dependent on the annual allocation of funds by the County Commissioners and the number of requests being considered.

Grant Program guidelines

OPEN SPACE PLANNING
With the creation of a dedicated Open Space Trust Fund, the County began to plan for the future of open space. The 1994 Somerset County Parks Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan established an open space goal of 10,500 acres. The 2000 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan Update increased the preservation goal to 20,500 acres. The Somerset County Preservation Plan, adopted by the County Planning Board in May of 2022, includes updates to the Open Space Preservation Plan and Farmland Preservation Plan and creates a new Historic Preservation Plan. The Open Space Preservation Plan reinforces the recreation and preservation goals of the previous plans while establishing new goals to emphasize preservation partnerships and address habitat preservation and the effects of climate change. An increased goal of 24,000 acres was established in the plan.

Somerset County Preservation Plan
Open Space Map

STRATEGIES FOR ACQUIRING AND PRESERVING OPEN SPACE
With the support of the public and a well-organized funding system in place, the County can aggressively pursue the acquisition of land for open space preservation. Land acquisition can be accomplished by several methods, all of which have been utilized by Somerset County.

Fee Simple – The outright purchase of full title and all rights by the County from the landowner. It allows for the protection and public use of the land.
Conservation Easements/Development Rights – A partial interest in the land is transferred to the County by donation or sale. The rights acquired are at times less costly than fee acquisitions. The landowner retains ownership, and the property remains on the tax rolls and the owner may receive some income and estate tax benefits. Public access is required by the County and the restriction remains in perpetuity.
Partnerships with Municipalities and Non-Profit Organizations – A municipality or non-profit organization can acquire and then convey property to the County or contribute funding for the purchase of the property. In addition, a non-profit is often able to negotiate a property sale at a reduced price and to convey it to the County at a lower than market value.
Donation – A private landowner or developer may wish to convey all or a portion of a property at no cost to the County. The owner may be able to take advantage of certain tax benefits associated with a donation.

BENEFITS TO LANDOWNERS FOR CONVEYANCE OF LAND FOR OPEN SPACE

Private citizens who choose to dedicate land to the County for parks and open space purposes could take advantage of several benefits.

Bargain Sale – Property is sold at less than fair market value by identifying the acquisition as part donation and part sale. There may be tax benefits to the grantor for the donated value and a reduced cost to the County.
Conservation Easements/Development Rights – A partial interest in the land is transferred to the County by donation or sale. The property owner retains ownership of the property, but future development is restricted. The owner may receive some income and tax benefits.
Life Estate – The land is sold to the County, and the owner may continue to occupy the residence and a portion of the property for the duration of the owner's lifetime.
Donation – There are certain tax benefits available to a landowner associated with land donation.

THE SOMERSET COUNTY PARK SYSTEM
All land acquired for open space is stewarded by the Somerset County Park Commission for a variety of active and passive recreational uses. County and Park Commission staff work closely to develop, manage, and maintain the parks. The Somerset County Park system consists of five golf courses and specialized facilities including a riding stable, environmental education center, tennis facilities, swimming pool, and paddle boating. Horticulture activities include a rock formation and rare plant garden, an international award-winning rose garden, arboretum, and a sensory and fragrance garden. General use and athletic parks offer picnic facilities, bike paths, athletic fields, and fishing opportunities. The park system also encompasses several natural areas offering more passive pursuits such as bird watching and hiking. Detailed information on the Park Commissions facilities and programs can be found on its website.

CONTACT

Thomas Boccino, PP, LLA, Supervising Planner – Preservation
Phone: (908) 231-7509
Fax: (908) 707-1749
Mail: 20 Grove Street, P.O. Box 3000, Somerville, NJ 08876
Email: Boccino@co.somerset.nj.us

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Word Viewer