Wildlife Refuge?

[Tom R]

I live in Bordentown, New Jersey, - - behind my back yard is the 'Crosswicks Creek', - - they're talking now about turning it into some kind of Wildlife Refuge Preservation Area, - - supposedly (from what I've heard) this will make it a nightmare for homeowners like me, - - whose land 'abuts' this area, - - to ever be able to 'add on', make home improvements, even have a driveway installed, - - any type of improvements would have to go through the government(s), with impact studies, etc. - - whether or not this is true I don't know yet (just got wind of it today), - - anybody know anything about this type of situation?, - - they even say some land may be seized, - - (they ain'na-gonna-take-me without a struggle), - - also wondering if living alongside a wildlife refuge increases or decreases the value of the real estate, - - Anyone?

[Cole]

Tom, I know for a fact that living next to a wildlife refuge increases the property value.

Im not sure how much, but I know that it will no decrease in value.

[Tom R]

Thanks, Cole, - - that's what I was kinda' hopin', - - I guess this means I should go tool-shoppin' tonight!! :lol:

[Tom R]

Anyone else know anything about it?

[Vector]

I know that the house I am remodelling right now is in a "conservation area." Which means that for projects over a certain size of excavated area you have to pay more money. That's all.

They tried to make me pay it, but I think the actual guidelines called for it only if it was over 2500sq ft being excavated (or more than 50 cubic yards) which was way more than my project called for (about 1200 for the driveway and about 900 for the addition).

The city was getting on me late in the fall about erosion blockage. Mostly because the grass I had spent a fair amount of work to get growing was completely destroyed by the jackasses that installed my neighbors' fence.

I'll probably have to do something soonish, which will be mostly cosmetic.

The biggest problem has actually been stuff from the gravel that currently forms the driveway washing down to the sidewalk, and no amount of vegetation is going to stop that. And I'm not paving that thing until everything else is done.

[VALENT]

Normally, wildlife preservation areas are easements which stop future development(decrease worth of that piece of property, decrease taxes etc..). To a homeowner with that view(undeveloped property), that is very good. If it is being called a wetland with its definitions and possible restrictions, you may have future problems. I think you hit the jackpot and just havent realized it yet. So yeah go buy some tools, I personally really like Craftsman even though few others here do.

[Tom R]

My favorite word, - - JACKPOT!! Thanks, - - and to prove my faith in you guys, - - I'm goin' shoppin' :wink:

Anyone else know any info on the situation?