Trump Golf Club Cemetery Plots to be Discussed

Discussions continue to be put off concerning a cemetery on the Trump National Golf Club until it can be heard by the township committee—and that discussion is expected at Monday’s meeting.

According to Bedminster Land Use Board Chairman Lance Boxer, it has been sent back to the committee for clarification of the original resolution that authorized less burial sites on the property than what is being asked for now.

“I think they want 1,500 approved by resolution for 500 plus or minus,” he said.

The application originally came before the Land Use Board in September, and has been put off since.

According to the application, Donald Trump would like to set aside a small piece of land, about one-eighth of an acre, on the golf course property off Lamington Road where ultimately he can have his final resting place, according to Ed Russo, speaking on behalf of Trump National after the September Land Use Board meeting where it was introduced.

"[Trump] owns a significant amount of property throughout the entire world, but this is his flagship facility. It's his masterpiece," Russo said.

"He loves Bedminster," Russo added. Trump, 66, has not appeared at any meetings.

But while the ever-active Trump may someday want to be laid to rest under a tombstone in a location at the golf course property that wouldn't be seen by the public—with the intention of sharing that .12-acre site with family members—the billionaire also wants to extend the offer to join him in a nearby cemetery to lifetime members of his club, Russo explained.

The combined sites of about 2.9 acres, with only about half of that to actually be set aside for potential development with cemetery plots, could conceivably hold up to about 1,024 graves, according to the information presented to the Land Use Board.

But Russo said it is unlikely that anywhere near all those spots ever would be filled. He said the club has about 350 lifetime members, and loses about one per year to death.

Russo added that much of the total acreage would be set aside for roads and buffers from the rest of the property.

Boxer said the committee approves resolutions to proceed with cemetery applications and specific numbers of burial sites, which is why the application has to go to the committee before it can be considered again by the Land Use Board.

Once that step is done, Boxer said, the Land Use Board can make the final decision.

“The township committee approves the resolution to proceed with a cemetery application and a specific number of burial sites,” he said. “The Land Use Board in the end approves all remaining details and site plans. Even though the township committee authorizes them to proceed, the Land Use Board can fully reject for a variety of reasons.”

The application is expected to go before the township committee at Monday’s meeting at the municipal building on Miller Lane at 7 p.m.