By Sean Patrick Murphy
Should the Sunny Side Farm House be restored or destroyed?
That question may now be answered because Mount Laurel will receive a grant to pay for a consultant to make that determination.
Mount Laurel Township Manager Jennifer Blumenthal said the Sunny Side property was purchased for open space in 2002. It is comprised of 23 acres with an additional 71 next to the farmhouse property.
The property contains a farmhouse, barn, storage shed, and a schoolhouse.
The grant is for a total of $16,000, of which $4,000 is a cash match by the township. The grant is awarded by the New Jersey Historic Trust as a preservation grant from the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust.
The grant is to be used to hire a historic site management consultant to determine allowable uses for the property with consideration of federal, state, and local laws. This will include open space, green acres, and historic regulations.
The consultant will be required to make a recommendation as well as supply various scenarios and a projection of short-term and long-term expenses.
“The structure is in significant disrepair from lack of maintenance,” Blumenthal said, noting the township was given roof materials for donation and monies will be spent on repairing the roof. “This is needed to maintain the current condition and prevent additional structural damage to the property until we are able to determine the appropriate direction.”
The house is in need of significant and immediate work, including extensive mold remediation.
Blumenthal said it would cost more than $1 million to restore the property and approximately $40,000 to demolish it.
Also, $250,000 as been granted to Mount Laurel from the Municipal Park Development Assistance Program. “The township is pleased that it was awarded the 2011 Burlington County grant,” Blumenthal said. “Without this grant the Township would not be able to complete the needed park projects and improvements.”
The township will use funds to update its veterans’ memorial at Laurel Acres, create landscaping around the Laurel Acres pond, plant shade trees and other repairs and improvements in Laurel Acres. The Bull Hills farm property on Hainesport Road will be home to a community gardens.
Canterbury Park will be refurbished to include a new tot lot and passive and active recreation. A new senior park will be developed at the corner of Elbo and Hainesport. Which will include passive recreation for senior residents.
Shade trees will be planted, outdoor sitting areas, chess tables and a possible horseshoe area will be developed.
“The residents will be able to continue to enjoy the various elements in Laurel Acres that may not have been able to be replaced as well needed,” Blumenthal said. “In addition, a new senior park, community garden and Canterbury tot lot will be an advantage to residents who have not been able to enjoy these properties to their full extent.”
