Calls upon Cranbury Township Committee to reconsider proposed use of eminent domain to seize historic Henry Farm; calls for State eminent domain reform.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Parker Space and 1 co-sponsor

SR 136 urges Cranbury to reconsider using eminent domain to seize the Henry Farm for affordable housing, while pushing state reforms to curb farmland takeovers for housing.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee

#municipaliti

Summary — SR 136

Title: Calls upon Cranbury Township Committee to reconsider proposed use of eminent domain to seize historic Henry Farm; calls for State eminent domain reform
Type: Senate Resolution (non‑binding)
Introduced: February 21, 2025
Primary Sponsors: Mike Hodges, Chuck Payne, Shawn Still, Billy Hickman, Drew Echols, Timothy Bearden, Rick Williams, Richards, Doris Turner, Beth Mizell
Related: SCR 167 (companion), AR 197 (companion)
Status (as provided): Introduced; referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee

Main purpose and intent

SR 136 is a non‑binding Senate resolution urging Cranbury Township to reconsider a plan to use eminent domain to acquire the historic Henry Farm for municipal affordable‑housing purposes. The resolution also urges the Governor and Legislature to limit municipal use of eminent domain and reexamine State laws that, in the sponsors’ view, require housing development in ways that could reduce farmland and contribute to food‑security concerns.

Key provisions / requests

Calls upon the Cranbury Township Committee to reconsider its proposed use of eminent domain to condemn the Henry family’s 21‑acre farm.

Urges the Governor and Legislature to limit the use of eminent domain and to reconsider State policies that the resolution characterizes as trading farmland for housing (explicitly referencing the Fair Housing Act, P.L.1985, c.222).

Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to the Governor, the Clerk of the General Assembly, the Municipal Clerk for Cranbury Township, and each member of the Cranbury Township Committee (names listed in the resolution).

Facts cited about the Henry Farm

21 acres owned by Andy and Christopher Henry; family ownership traced to a great‑grandfather’s 1850 purchase.

The brothers have invested more than $200,000 in the farm over 12 years of ownership.

The two‑story farmhouse dates to about 1878 (rebuilt after an earlier fire).

A tenant operates livestock (sheep and cattle) on the property.

The farm is described in the text as having a current estimated value of “upwards of $5,000,000.”

Cranbury Township reportedly preserved over 2,000 acres in recent years; New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program has a stated goal of 500,000 acres by 2050 (referenced in the resolution).

Legal effect and likely impact

SR 136 is a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate; it does not change law and is non‑binding.

Purposefully symbolic — aimed at influencing local decision‑making and encouraging State policymakers to consider statutory changes regarding eminent domain and housing/farmland trade‑offs.

Could increase public attention and political pressure on Cranbury Township and on State legislators debating eminent‑domain and housing policy.

Procedural / timeline notes

Introduced Feb 21, 2025 and listed as referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

The resolution requests distribution of copies to State and local officials named in the text.

For current, definitive bill status or subsequent committee actions, consult the official legislative website or clerk’s records (the document set provided contains multiple docket entries and related items; verify the most recent status there).

Bill