Middlesex Town Moves To Seize Historic Farm Through Eminent Domain For Affordable Housing

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - A Middlesex County town is moving to seize a 150-year-old farm to build affordable housing.

Cranbury Township is pursuing eminent domain proceedings against Andy’s Family Farm, a 150-year-old family farm, to make way for a large affordable housing development, setting up a legal battle over the historic property.

Andy Henry, whose family has owned the farm on South River Road since 1850, refuses to sell the land and will contest the township's attempt to seize it through eminent domain powers.

This farm has been in the Henry family for three generations—since 1850. The 21-acre farm is off Exit 8A of the New Jersey Turnpike and currently sits between massive warehouses and busy roads.

The property is co-owned by Andy and his brother Christopher, who grew up in Cranbury but currently live in New Mexico. They lease the land to a local who raises sheep and cattle.

The brother got to know about the township’s decision when they received a letter saying their property was being considered as a site for affordable housing. The April letter informed them that if a deal wasn’t reached with the family, the township would seize the property through eminent domain.

According to state mandate, Cranbury has to allow developers to build 265 affordable housing units over the next 10 years. The township has until June 30 to submit their housing plan.

Despite objections from residents, the Council adopted an ordinance last month approving a plan to acquire the Henry farm. During the meeting, Mayor Lisa Knierim said the township was facing significant restrictions when allotting land due to sewer and water availability, proximity to mass transit, and a new 200-foot buffer zone for warehouse distribution.

Despite these constraints, the township is working to meet its obligations, with properties at 1234 and 1274 South River Road identified.

Housing officials have had to completely overhaul their property selection process due to significant changes in affordable housing standards over the past four decades, according to Knierim. The previous methods for identifying suitable sites are no longer viable under current regulations, necessitating new approaches to finding appropriate locations for development.

Knierim said several closed sessions were held by officials to reviews countless properties and their viability.

“Cranbury, as a township, has very limited land available west of Route 30 that can meet this criteria. I know because I live in a community without sewer due to our open space and protected farmland already in place, there simply was no way to meet the 265 unit obligation and meet the sewer and water requirement, mass transit availability,” Knierim said.

Many residents objected to the ordinance during the meeting.

An online fundraiser has been created to help the Henry family fight the township’s decision.

“Let’s be clear: the Township had other options. There are other properties that meet the criteria. But they chose Andy’s farm. They chose the oldest, most loved, most recognized land in town,” the GoFundMe said.

“This isn’t just a battle for one farm. It’s a stand against a system that sees land as dollar signs instead of heritage. Let’s show the Township that Cranbury isn’t for sale.”

As of June 4, the fundraiser has raised $22,730.

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