Cherry Hill Township aims to save Holly Ravine Farm. Big changes proposed
CHERRY HILL - The township has agreed in principle to buy Holly Ravine Farm, the recent site of a controversy over a proposed senior-living complex.
Council President Dave Fleisher announced the town's intention to preserve the former dairy farm at Springdale and Evesham roads.
His statement did not disclose the proposed purchase price, but said it would be "consistent with the appraised value from two recent appraisals."
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The farm's owners, members of the Gilmour family, put the site on the market in 2015 for $5.5 million.
"Today is a great day for Cherry Hill,” Fleisher said in Monday's statement, calling the farm "a cherished part of our community."
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He is leading negotiations for council to buy the 23-acre tract from the Gilmour family, which has owned the land since the 1920s.
The farm initially was a 68-acre property that included the Cowtail Bar, an ice cream shop. It also held the Moo Zoo, where children could pet farm animals.
Much of the farm was developed with a shopping center in 1989.
A family representative, Robert Gilmour, said, "We are thrilled that the property will be saved and remain as open space for generations to come.”
The family previously had sought to sell the land to a Texas firm that planned to build an 175-unit senior-living complex.
Zoning board rejected a plan for Holly Ravine Farm
But the town's zoning board in June rejected the proposal by Caddis Partners LLC.
The would-be developer faced strong opposition from residents concerned over the loss of green space, the impact on traffic on often-congested roads, and other issues.
A Caddis spokesman expressed sympathy for the Gilmours after the zoning board's vote, noting they had "endured repeated obstacles to selling their family property."
Fleisher at that time said the township would seek to preserve the site.
The agreement in principle, which requires council's approval, "is the firststep in preserving and protecting the land in perpetuity," Fleisher said on Monday.
He said the proposed purchase reflects the town's "commitment to preserving our open spaces, protecting our trees, investing in our parks, trails and historic sites, and to creating a greener Cherry Hill.”
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Plan would save 23-acre remnant of Holly Ravine Farm in Cherry Hill
