Gazing at A. Park from OG side: Lake Avenue. Paul Goldfinger photo. Nov. 20 2020. Click to enlarge.
4/25/22 There have been some additions to the timeline, so we have brought it to the top if any of you want to examine it again, especially the parts surrounding the November 13, 2019 Planning Board meeting when they approved the North End project to move ahead. Sorry for the length of this post, but it is necessary to lay out the chain of events. You can, of course, scroll past it and get back to our usual mix of fun, games and complaints. PG
And furthermore:
10/25/26. I understand that the OG Community Ass. is now rising from the grave of the now deceased OG Home Groaners Association to have a committee keep an eye on the North End Redevelopment Plan which is currently stuck in the mud for a variety of reasons. A committee is not sufficient:
There are supposedly over 900 members of that heretofore useless community action group, and the members should demand that their group publish everything they know about this issue and what was said about it at their Oct.24 meeting.
I can tell you that this subject is immensely complicated. At Blogfinger we are not only concerned about construction , but you should know that a private company (new owner) will be seeking to build a commercial building where the White Whale Pavilion once stood until the fire of 2019. And pay attention when the subject of who owns the beach will reappear. And will the new owners be able to build a 40,000 square foot commercial pavilion over there? The idiotic Neptune Committee will soon have a chance to deal with this topic.
And there are other issues: status of recent lawsuits, flooding and infrastructure concerns, (“settlement fatigue”,) ?zoning changes for the new owners at the White Whale site, rendering the HPC impotent, and how about an investigation by the State of how the Neptuners have handled this situation for nearly 20 years.
2015 November
Local government: loss of trust corrodes the process
2015: A statue of George Washington in Albany. Two of the most powerful men in the capital, Assemblyman Sheldon Silver and Senator Dean G. Skelos, go on trial this month. Photo: Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times
By Paul Goldfinger,MD, Editor @Blogfinger
Recently we discussed how Neptune officials, engaging in irregularities and improprieties regarding the Ocean Grove North End Project might “get away with” such activities. We said that public apathy and a useless Home Owners Association could provide the opportunity for officials to successfully skirt or manipulate the law to achieve objectives which are not in the public’s best interest.
New Jersey has an infamous history of successful prosecution of elected officials who break the law, including cases in Neptune Township* and Asbury Park.
But with instances when there is just a suspicion of wrongdoing, the suspicion alone can result in loss of trust on the part of the electorate, and that loss of trust can produce a corrosive effect on our normal democratic processes which are supposed to result in justice and the public good.
In Ocean Grove, where Blogfinger and some citizens are suspicious of procedures being followed for the North End Redevelopment Plan and other issues, the situation has reached the point where there is mistrust of the Neptune Township Committee. We elected them to represent us and we loaned them the power to make decisions on our behalf. But their lack of transparency and possibly illegal behavior create a justified lack of confidence in them as our representatives. There already is one law suit in play naming the Neptune Township Committee.
It’s one thing to disagree with your Committeemen about policy, which is a normal part of our system, but it’s quite another if you don’t trust them. And it is not only a problem experienced at the local level of government.
2016: In a front page article in the NY Times*, it is reported that the Justice Department is looking into secret investors who are behind high end real estate deals. They are especially interested in professionals such as real estate agents, bankers, and lawyers who are involved in developing such entities.
Oftentimes shell companies are formed such as LLC’s** (Limited Liability Corporations) that shield the identities of investors. Frequently foreign buyers are involved using cash payments as they seek real estate deals to hide or launder their money.
Currently the investigators are focusing on New York City and Miami.
The late Kennedy Buckley of Ocean Grove discussed this subject on another social media site, and he said:
“A couple of years back I had asked the Township Atty. if the action the then Neptune Township Committee had taken declaring the North End blighted and in need of redevelopment could be reversed. He answered: yes, by a vote of Committee.
“Last night, Dec. 21, 2017, after some discussion of nothing happening re the redevelopment, I asked the Neptune Attorney the same question.
” I had to repeat it THREE times, but after some hemming and hawing, he finally said YES.
“Then I suggested to the NTC that they should start discussing that possibility PUBLICLY in order to motivate the reluctant parties involved. Such a threat might give them a kick-in-the-a** to do something. Maybe!”
2017 BF source:
The truth is that the special designation of “area in need of redevelopment” should never have been granted by the Neptune Township Committee in 2007.
There was no reason to think that the CMA could not have brought their property to life without government help under the original zoning.
“This is the monstrosity that you get when true and clear corruption is involved in local politics. This isn’t good or competent planning. This is back room, money in their pockets planning.
In 2018 there was a resolution approved at a Neptune township meeting on November 26, 2018. It is vital to read this; since it is long, here is a link click on “Continue reading:
Gobbledygook at the Township Committee meeting to occur on November 26, 2018.
BF: 2018 “Finally, after 10 years of diddly-squat at the North End, are they kidding??”
Blogfinger. 2018: In a prior survey of public opinion on Blogfinger, January , 2016, we asked the question: “Is it time for the Township Committee to scuttle the illegal North End Redevelopment Plan?”
250 votes came in, and 80% said “YES.”
2019 June
This is what the Master Plan (2011) says about new construction in the historic district: “…..encouraging new construction that is compatible in scale and design to the physical character of the surrounding neighborhood.”
And this is what Municipal Land Use Law says: “The MLUL responds to a generally held belief that those sections of a municipality that still bear the visual imprint of the past should be preserved. The concept is that existing buildings in historic area should be retained, or at least as their exteriors, and that new buildings in such areas should be on the same scale and should have facades compatible with the older buildings.
6/22/2019: HOA meeting: BF post.
Barbara Burns, President of the Home Owners Assoc., had invited two members of OGNED, the OG North End Redevelopers, to discuss the latest Plan at today’s meeting, but before letting anyone speak, she set the ground rules:
No questions may be asked if they relate to the past history of the NERP. She said that she didn’t want to “re-litigate” old news. Her guests, “Conditional Redevelopers” William Gannon III and Joel Brenner agreed that they would not answer such questions. They just wanted to talk about the plan as it is today.
But such questions comprise the very foundations of how this controversial plan developed over time, with considerable difficulty, much skepticism, and no results, so it made no sense to limit questioning to the latest point on the timeline. She may think that there is only old news looking back, but that is outrageous. The whole NERP history, 11 years in duration, is flammable and ignitable.
Evidently Burns and Gannon had conspired to keep the subject matter confined only to what he wanted to talk about.
It seems that Mr. Gannon wanted to control the parameters of the meeting—perhaps he didn’t want to be embarrassed by certain questions having their roots in the past. And President Burns went along with that—-she should not have invited him if he were going to disrespect skeptical homeowners in the audience, such as myself and others.
Her demand that only she decide on which questions would be appropriate was arrogant, dumb, overbearing and undemocratic.
Nov 2019. HPC Review: “The proposed plan does not demonstrate an in depth understanding of or regard for Ocean Grove’s character and the need to preserve the town’s “sense of place,” established in its plan.”
“The complex more closely resembles a contemporary, mixed-housing, gated sub-division within the larger Ocean Grove community of front porches and high density housing. This complex contradicts the open interaction that is the very intention and fabric of this Historic District.”
“The proposed North End plan does not follow Ocean Grove’s historic planning principles. The proposed plan thus creates a visually and spatially isolated and virtually private enclave, defined by fences and gates, with minimal, controlled public spaces.
November 3, 2019: BF post 10 days before the Nov. 13, 2019 fateful Planning Board meeting.
11/13/19: Blogfinger on the day of the meeting: “Udder Nonsense!”
Blogfinger cow. No bull.
The White Whale pavilion site burned to the ground on April 13, 2019. This property is not up for discussion at this time and is not part of the North End Redevelopment Plan, but it was in the past. And it will reappear in the future Paul Goldfinger photo. Click to enlarge.
Blogfinger at the the Planning Board meeting:
12/13/19 Kevin Chambers: I have long believed that it is Ms. Krimko who has been controlling our zoning instead of State zoning law or the Township’s planner or our boards.
These irresponsible boards and planner, instead of being advocates of zoning law, of the ruling of the courts, or acting as advocates for the people of OG have instead been aggressive advocates for Ms. Krimko.
It is clear, through these secret meetings with Ms. Krimko that the Township’s intent is to deny the public a full or fair legal hearing.
2020
“On March 19, 2020, the DEP received a CAFRA (Coastal Area Facilities Review Act) Individual Permit application and Flood Hazard Area Verification from OGNED for the replacement of a five-story 40-room hotel, two multi-family buildings with 39 dwelling units, 10 detached single-family dwellings, a 7,353 square-foot retail space facing the boardwalk, 155 parking spaces (140 of which are covered by a podium deck,) and restoration of a waterfront promenade and recreation area.
“The DEP issued a Technical Deficiency Letter on April 15 and received a response on May 14. Another Deficiency Letter was issued May 28.
“The application remains pending, but is {currently} deficient.”
(NOTE: in 2022 the DEP actually gave OGNED that permit—an investigation of that should be done by the Neptuners or the State.) We contacted the State but received no satisfaction, They are very closed mouthed to the press.
2020 Historic Preservation Office: A subterranean parking garage is currently proposed as part of the project.
“Due to the parking garage construction and based on the project site’s proximity to a stream/ocean confluence, the project area has a high potential to encounter deeply buried Pre-Contact period shell mounds, burial complexes, and habitation sites.”
What happened to this? —PG
2020 BF comments:
a. The Neptune Township Committee: Mayor Rizzo of Ocean Grove, who has swallowed the Kool Aid, will lead those Neptuner sheep to unanimously approve the new North End plan.
She has appointed Committeeman Michael Brantley to take her place as the “Class one” member of the Planning Board. She has abdicated her key role as the protector of the people at the PB. Brantley is a Neptuner through and through, and he will order the PB to approve the new plan unanimously. (He is mayor again in 2022.)
Once upon a time there was a Committeewoman who favored single family zoning at the North End. Mary Beth Jahn stuck her neck out for the best interests of the people and the town, and she was beheaded by the Monmouth County and Neptune Democratic Party.
2021: HOA Meeting: BF comment: 3/27/21.
“It’s just a joke.” Grover Frank Gacciofano speaking at today’s HOA meeting regarding the DEP report:
By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
“The North End site was an empty lot on this historic 1881 map. Look at it closely. Supposedly they wanted to build some single family houses for clergy, but there is no mention of condominiums, retail, or hotels in the OG history sources.
“The so called historic hotel of the past came many years later and was south of the site. Ask the HSOG and the HPC if the new plan is “historic.”
Today, March 27, 2021, The HOA held a Zoom meeting, and Frank’s sentiment “It’s just a joke” can also apply to this organization’s lack of progress in dealing with the North End and parking.
4/6/21 HPC/OGNED meeting: BF report.
The HPC’s hands were tied behind their backs with their mouths effectively taped shut by the OGNEDs lawyer, Jennifer Krimko, who said that most of the details about the North End design were set in stone because the Neptune Governing Body had spelled it all out when the Planning Board and the Mayor (Rizzo—2019) signed off on the current Redevelopment Plan, right down to most architectural details.
And no one tonight would be allowed to question such fundamental concepts as whether the “Area in Need of Redevelopment” was appropriately passed in 2007 and what effect this project would have on the ecology, crowding, and life styles in town.
Krimko also insisted that HPC guidelines would be superseded by the Redevelopment Plan’s details, with only some lesser scrutiny allowed to be discussed by the HPC.
Commissioners and citizens would only be permitted to ask questions and not offer comments/opinions. She made it clear that the HPC has been rendered impotent in this matter thanks to the actions taken by her and by our own elected officials who are supposed to care about historic preservation and citizen life styles in their “Historic District.”
And the HPC lawyer was useless in obtaining some free speech for those present last night in ZOOMWORLD.
2021 A comment sent to Blogfinger:
I was thinking of the Cloisters in NYC and the problems that they had with air and ground traffic pollution. The historical buildings were being effected by this…
The same sort of concerns could be had at the North End OG site where congestion, air pollution, noise and traffic could occur if that site were developed as described.
2022: Our recent posts continue the conversation, but the prognosis is not good.
I can tell you that over these last 14 years no one on Blogfinger ever had anything good to say about the Neptune Committee or their North End Plans.
AMI SHAVIT. This is an Israeli folk song about a construction project nearly 2500 years ago called “When the Temple is Rebuilt.”
