Significant progress made towards preventing the expansion of Solberg Airport.

Solberg Airport has an FAA and NJDOT approved Airport Layout Plan for expansion to accommodate jet aircraft. All that remains for the final approval of the expansion plan is completion of a new Environmental Assessment with a finding of "no significant impact." In all negotiations and public meetings to date, the Solbergs would not rule out the expansion of runways to accommodate jets, and negotiations reached an impasse in January 2002.

In February 2006, the Readington Township Committee passed a $22 million bond ordinance to enable them to make a firm offer to the Solbergs in hopes of resurrecting negotiations. The Solbergs subsequently petitioned to have a public referendum on that bond ordinance, and on May 16, Readington voters sent a clear majority message to the Township Committee that they favored preservation of the open space and they did not want a jetport.

On August 7, the Township made a $21.7 million offer to purchase 624 acres of open space surrounding the airport and airport development rights. The Solbergs would not negotiate on the offer or state a position on which mediation could be based, and on September 15th the Township initiated legal proceedings to complete the transaction under the New Jersey eminent domain statutes.

The $21.7 million purchase price is based on the higher of two professional appraisals, prepared according to State mandated Universal Standards of Appraisal Practices. These Standards require that the property be valued according to its "highest and best economic use" legally permitted by current zoning, or in this case in the AR zone, low-density residential housing relying on septics and wells.

The Township will pay Solberg Aviation $19.9 million, or approximately $32,000 per acre, for the 624 acres of open space surrounding the airport, and $1.8 million or about $18,000 per acre for the development rights on the 102-acre airport. This is a fair and accurate price since parcels over 25 acres in low density residential zones in Readington do not generally sell for over $30,000 per acre, and development rights are generally less than $18,000 per acre.

The Solbergs will retain ownership of the airport itself on 102 acres. The runways will remain at the current length. Up to 35,000 square feet of ancillary uses, including a restaurant, a museum, gift shop, and a classroom for flying lessons, and a total of 150,000 square feet of hanger and maintenance space will be permitted, as will the annual balloon festival.

The annual cost to the average house assessed at $400,000 of a purchase price of about $22 million is estimated be a between $60 and $165 annually for the next 20 years, depending on what low interest loans and grants are received to fund the purchase.

The legal process going forward is clearly outlined in Title 20 of the NJ Statutes. The Township's attorney in this matter has estimated it may take up to one year for completion. Following an initial hearing currently scheduled for October 20, a panel of three appointed Commissioners with background in land use and law will review the Township's offer for fairness. Should their finding be deemed unacceptable, either party may request a trial by judge or jury.

Title 20 requires that any determination of value by the Commissioners, a judge or a jury be based on actual sales of comparable properties, the same process used by the Township's appraisers.

A successful conclusion will be in our Township's best interest: 624 acres of open space will be preserved, protecting some of our Townships best-unspoiled natural resources and its rural character. Open Space preservation will protect wildlife habitat, water quality, and historic Readington Village. Preservation will also assure the future of the balloon festival and Solberg Airport as an airport.