Golf course partner may be out of the game Officials speculate market changes made project unfeasible BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer Though it first seemed like a hole in one, a longtime plan has gone off course. Old Bridge officials are considering seeking out a new potential redeveloper for a proposed municipal golf course, as they said the current one is not following through on plans solidified in 2006. "The people that were supposed to do it simply walked away from the project," Mayor Jim Phillips said. "It was like the other end of the phone went dead." Far Hills Capital Partners, the proposed developer, has not submitted financial data required by the state Department of Environmental Protection, nor has it provided a draft for a lease, township officials said. Financial data was required after the township received State House Commission approval in November 2006 to give the developer a 50-year lease for the 200-acre townshipowned property at Amboy and Lambertson roads. "We're thinking that, because the market conditions are so difficult, that the group either is reluctant to go forward, or that the project just isn't feasible in the present market," said Township Attorney Jerome Convery. For more than a year, he said, township officials have been waiting for Far Hills to submit a lease draft, since the company was not satisfied with the one that Convery had drafted. At Monday's council meeting, Phillips suggested the council consult with township Parks and Recreation Director Tom Badcock before the next meeting to decide whether to pass a resolution to do away with Far Hills and seek out a different developer for the project. "They have to take too much personal liability ... because of the market, and I think it's going to be the same problem with everyone," Badcock said. Councilman Pat Gillespie agreed, saying Far Hills is not necessarily at fault, considering the market conditions. "I would suspect that we'd be better off biding our time until the financial situation gets better," Gillespie said. "I don't think we'll find another group in this climate. We've been the victim of a lot of unfortunate timing." Badcock said the situation is disappointing, as Far Hills comprises top experts in the golf industry, including those affiliated with the United States Golf Association (USGA). At the same time, he said, it is understandable if they would not be able or willing to move forward with the project because of the current economy. Instead of leaving the township in limbo, the group should have simply informed officials of its circumstances, Badcock said. "I amsurprised ... becausewe built some kind of rapport with them," Badcock said. The township has been working with Far Hills since 2005 to enter into a public/ private agreement that would bring an 18-hole golf course to the town without posing a burden to taxpayers. The land, formerly the Rose and Lambertson farms, was purchased by the township, largely through state Green Acres funding, and designated for redevelopment. Through its partnership with the township, Far Hills was to take on the responsibilities of designing, constructing, maintaining and operating the course in return for the land lease. Old Bridge sought the 50-year lease for Far Hills in order to help make the project more financially feasible for the firm, according to Convery. The extended lease period gave the firm double the years granted in a typical lease. "We bent over backwards," Phillips said. Though the State House Commission approved the move, the DEP requested a financial plan from the developers before making a final decision, Convery said. "I don't believe it was ever officially approved by the commissioner of the DEP," Convery said. Gillespie said Far Hills should be notified of the township's plan to find a new developer before any official action is taken. Convery agreed to attempt to contact the group. The issue will be revisited at the next council meeting, set for May 7. "The recreation director and I will provide background information to the Township Council regarding the golf course, and then it would be up to the Township Council as to whether or not they want to take any action," Convery said. One of the touted benefits of the course would be that any revenue it generates for the town must, by law, be used for open space acquisition or development. This would help to slow development and allow the town to purchase additional open space, as well as create more recreational facilities without affecting taxpayers. User fees for the course would follow state guidelines. They would run on a three-tiered scale, with the lowest fees for Old Bridge residents, a higher fee that could be up to double the town resident fees for state residents, and the highest fee being charged to out-of-state golfers. "We know we have the prime location to build a golf course of anywhere in Central Jersey," Badcock said. Councilwoman Lucille Panos brought up discussion of the golf course plans at the council meeting. She also requested updates regarding two other projects - the YMCA being built in Mannino Park, and the data storage center proposed at the Crossroads property. Phillips said the foundation for the YMCA has been laid, but progress has been stalled while a new contractor is sought. As for the data storage center, Phillips said the town could expect to see an application before the Planning Board in the near future, though no date has been set. "I'm very excited," Phillips said. "I think soon people will get an idea of just exactly what is envisioned there." Opponents of the project, including Councilman Richard Greene, have said the Crossroads property should be preserved as open space, and that the storage of potentially sensitive information could cause a threat to the town.