Are you aware that NJDEP is requesting to take away large percentages of the Smart Growth Area in Pennsville, Carneys Point and Oldmans? This is the only growth area in Salem County. .


The below figures were compiled by the Salem County Planner:
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Pennsville: 5219 of PA5 Acres increased to 8105, a 55% increase, takeaway of 2,886 acres
Carneys Point: 1219 of PA5 Acres pushed to 5066, a 315.6% increase, takeaway of 3,847 acres
Oldmans: 319 of PA5 Acres increased to 4693, a 1471% increase, takeaway of 4,693 acres
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A LOSS OF 11,426 ACRES!
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PA5 will eliminate the potential for water and sewer extensions, and subdivisions using septics. It will also negatively affect the prior plan to keep larger open spaces in the western part of the county. .


What does this mean? The value of real estate is based on what is its “highest and best use”. If the highest and best use of your property is wheat/soybeans/rye fields the value is much lower then if homes or something commercial (bank/WAWA) could be built. To see current map http://www.state.nj.us/dca/osg/docs/quad125.pdf.
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What to do? If you do not care if the value of your ground will become significantly lower AND that the chances of real growth over the coming decades are eliminated, then do nothing.

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If you do feel the prior (existing) SMART GROWTH PLAN to locate growth along the NJ Turnpike and Route 295 Corridor should be maintained, then here we suggest you join us.