[Adopted 12-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1533
(Ch. 62, Art. II, of the 1990 Code)]
Pursuant to Chapter 112, Land Development, and more specifically the natural resources preservation cluster option ("NRPC"), a developer may obtain a density bonus when certain parcels of land are designated as preservation areas and dedicated to the Township. The Township is of the opinion that the purposes of said ordinance may be best served by the sale of such lands to appropriate agencies subject to restrictions to insure their preservation and use consistent with the purposes of said ordinance. The Township desires to create a mechanism whereby the proceeds from such sales will be placed into an account to be used solely for purposes consistent with the natural resources preservation cluster option for the purchase of land.
All proceeds from sales of property or lands realized or dedicated to
the Township by developers pursuant to the NRPC option or any similar ordinance
which may be adopted in the future shall be deposited in a municipal account
to be known as "Trust Fund for Contributions Towards the Cost of the Acquisition
and Preservation of Natural Resources."
Any expenditures made from the above-mentioned municipal account shall
be used solely for the acquisition and maintenance of parcels of land containing
one or more of the following characteristics:
A.
Significant portions of such lands contain, or are in
proximity to, natural resource features which should be preserved from development;
B.
Such lands contain or protect historic villages, historic
districts and historic structures or sites;
C.
Such lands contain or protect aesthetically significant
ridgelines and viewsheds from the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park and
Canal Road;
D.
Such lands contain or protect frontage along any existing
or proposed reservoir, as well as along all reservoir owned property;
E.
Such lands contain or protect forests, significant stands
of trees and individual trees of significant size;
F.
Such lands contain or protect stream corridors, headwaters
of streams, wetlands, floodplains, flood hazard areas, ponds or lakes;
G.
Such lands contain or protect farmland and recently cultivated
farm fields, including typical farm features such as hedgerows and individual
tree stands; and
H.
Such lands contain or protect rock outcroppings, including
the bluffs and cliffs along Canal Road and the Delaware and Raritan Canal
State Park.
The final determination as to the expenditure of funds for the capital
purposes aforesaid shall be made by the Township Council of the Township of
Franklin. The decision shall be by majority vote of the full authorized membership
of the Township Council.
