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TOWNSHIP OF LAWRENCE COUNTY OF MERCER, STATE OF NEW JERSEY NOTICE OF PENDING ORDINANCE The Ordinances published herewith were introduced and passed upon first reading at a Regular Meeting of the governing body of Lawrence Township in the County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, held on May 19, 2026. They will be further considered for final passage, after public hearing thereon, at a meeting of the governing body to be held at the Lawrence Township Municipal Building, 2207 Lawrence Road, on June 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Additionally, during the week and up to the date of such meeting, copies of said Ordinances will be available for inspection and free of charge at the Municipal Clerk’s Office to members of the general public between normal business hours. Tonya D. Carter, Municipal Clerk ORDINANCE NO. 2517-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAWRENCE IN MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 840 PRETTY BROOK ROAD (BLOCK 7801, LOTS 33, 34, and 35) FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES WHEREAS, the Township of Lawrence (“Township”) has determined that a need exists to acquire a “Right of Way” easement over an approximately 6,800± square foot portion of certain real property located at 840 Pretty Brook Road within the Township, designated as Lots 33, 34 and 35 in Block 7801 on the Lawrence Township Tax Map (the “Property”), in connection with the extension of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail; and WHEREAS, the Property is more specifically identified as “Parcel E2” in the legal description annexed hereto as “Exhibit A,” dated October 1, 2025; and WHEREAS, the extension of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail will promote recreation, healthier lifestyles, better mobility, and a cleaner environment within the Township, and will offer safe public access for individuals to various sections of Lawrence Township and Hopewell Township; and WHEREAS, the Open Space and Recreation Plan Element of the Township Master Plan discusses the Lawrence Hopewell Trail’s (the “Trail”) provision of opportunities for recreation and the connection of the Township’s open space and recreational sites, and that the Trail will improve circulation and access and provide additional recreational opportunities within the Township; and WHEREAS, the Township determines that said uses are public purposes and will promote the general health and welfare of the community, and that the acquisition of an interest in the Property is in the public interest; and WHEREAS, the Township is authorized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-1, et seq. to acquire the Property, or an interest therein, for the public purposes set forth herein; and WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-5(a)(1), “any municipality, by ordinance, may provide for the acquisition of any real property, capital improvement or personal property: (1) By purchase, gift, devise, lease exchange, condemnation, or installment purchase agreement;” and WHEREAS, the Township may acquire the Property either through voluntary negotiations or through the power of eminent domain pursuant to the Eminent Domain Act, N.J.S.A. 20:3-1, et seq.; and WHEREAS, the Eminent Domain Act provides a procedural process for the Township to engage in formal negotiations with the Property owner, and in the event such negotiations are unsuccessful, to file a condemnation action with the court in order to acquire title and establish the amount of just compensation to be paid by the Township for the takings; and WHEREAS, the Township prefers to acquire the Property through voluntary negotiations and desires at this time to hold discussions and negotiations with the owner of the Property to enable the Township to acquire said Property; and WHEREAS, to enable and facilitate good faith negotiations, the Township obtained an appraisal of the Property prepared by Richard J. Carabelli, Jr., MAI of Martin Appraisal Associates, Inc., dated October 8, 2025 (the “Appraisal”); and WHEREAS, the Appraisal established the market value of the acquisition in the Property to be $19,800.00; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Eminent Domain Act, the municipality is required to tender an offer of compensation to the property owner for the property, which offer cannot be in an amount less than the approved appraisal; and WHEREAS, passage of the within ordinance is a legal prerequisite to initiating formal negotiations with the owner of the Property and ultimately to acquiring the Property; and WHEREAS, funds are available from the Township’s capital funds to facilitate the acquisition of the Property. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Council of the Township of Lawrence, in the County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, as follows: 1.The preamble to this Ordinance is hereby incorporated as if more fully set forth herein. 2.The Township is hereby authorized and directed to initiate proceedings pursuant to the Eminent Domain Act, N.J.S.A. 20:3-1, et seq., to acquire for public use, by voluntary conveyance or by condemnation, a Right of Way easement in an approximately 6,800± square foot portion of certain real property and improvements, if any, located at 840 Pretty Brook Road within the Township, designated as Lots 33, 34 and 35 in Block 7801 on the Lawrence Township Tax Map, more specifically identified in the annexed Exhibit A (the “Property”), and in connection therewith, to do such acts as are required by law to acquire the referenced property. 3.The Appraisal dated October 8, 2025, prepared by Richard J. Carabelli, Jr., MAI of Martin Appraisal Associates, Inc., is hereby approved. 4.The Township, through its appropriate staff, employees, professionals, and officials, is hereby further authorized and directed to take all such steps as may be advisable or necessary pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-1, et seq. and N.J.S.A. 20:3-1, et seq. to acquire the above-referenced Property, including, but not limited to, conducting inspections, obtaining appraisals, surveys, title searches, environmental assessments and/or other due diligence reports, to make an offer to the record owner of the Property in an amount of not less than the appraised value, and to engage in bona fide negotiations with the property owner, including by making such other and higher counteroffers as may be deemed reasonable and necessary to acquire the Property. 5.The Mayor, Administrator, Clerk, Municipal Attorney, and all other appropriate staff, employees and officials, are hereby authorized and directed to execute and file any and all such actions or documents and undertake any and all such further acts as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes hereof. 6.The Township hereby authorizes the utilization of funds from the Township’s capital funds for the acquisition the Property. 7.The determination to complete the acquisition of the Property upon the acceptance of an offer by the owner of the Property, or to file a Declaration of Taking and make a deposit into court shall abide the enactment of a further resolution authorizing same. 8.If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause or provision of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid, such adjudication shall apply only to the section, paragraph, subdivision, clause or provision so adjudged and the remainder of the ordinance shall remain valid and effective. 9.This ordinance shall take effect upon passage and publication, as required by law. Introduced: May 19, 2026Distributed: The Trentonian 5/20/26 Posted: 5/20/26 Prt fee:$137.55 May 22 -1a