Effort to preserve farm is welcome news in O.B.

Recent word that a developer who has approval to build a "town center" development on the Cottrell Farm in Old Bridge will instead seek to have it preserved can be heralded as a major victory for those who are fed up with traffic on Route 516, as well as for those who value local history.

The Jerald Development Group has reportedly applied to have the 27.5-acre parcel at the corner of Route 516 and Cottrell Road, across from the municipal center, included in the state Department of Agriculture Farmland Preservation Program. The builder has not responded to media inquiries, but one would expect that the downturn in the real estate market played a role in the decision. Old Bridge Mayor Jim Phillips told the Suburban that he was surprised by the builder's request, noting however that he fully supports the move.

Old Bridge granted general development plan (GDP) approval to Jerald in 2003, but the builder had yet to move forward with the development, dubbed the Crossings at Old Bridge. It would have included 141,000 square feet of office and retail space, 131 loft apartments, 98 age-restricted townhouse units and 895 parking spaces. The GDP expires in 2013.

As big as Old Bridge is, it would be difficult to find property as worthy of preservation as this one in town. Located in the center of town, across the street from the municipal complex, the farm and its historic structures would help to provide an aesthetic balance in the area, given the many large-scale commercial and residential developments in place or proposed. Equally as important is the fact that the farm is tied to the founding of this community and offers a terrific glimpse into its agricultural past. The house and outbuildings are of great historical value and remain well intact.

The farm, long owned by Herbert Cottrell Jr. and dating back to the 1770s, consists of an apple orchard, outbuildings and a farmhouse that dates to 1831, when it was built to replace an earlier structure destroyed by a fire. The land, which was once part of a larger property whose parts were sold for development over time, is included on both the township and county lists of historical sites.

If the tract is incorporated into the Farmland Preservation Program, it could only be used for farming or open space in the future. The house would remain intact, likely as a residence or museum. But perhaps best of all is that no residences would be allowed there. And for the town to avoid further traffic on Route 516 is an invaluable bonus.

Though township officials are on board with the idea, county and state approvals still must be obtained, and funding will have to be secured at all levels of government for the land to be preserved. Typically, the municipality picks up about 10 percent of costs, the county pays about 30 percent, and the state provides the remaining 60 percent.

Phillips said the township is willing to pay its share, and rightly so. Keeping this land a farm would be a gift to Old Bridge residents that will keep on giving for generations to come.