Ocean Grove’s historical heritage: Can we keep it? Paul Goldfinger photo ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
There has been great interest in the Mary’s Place zoning controversy on Blogfinger where over 100 comments have been posted.
Our poll shows that many people are skeptical of how the zoning decision was made. The predominant view is that the Mary’s Place approval process suggests that preferential treatment might be at play in Town Hall.
For years I have heard citizens say that favoritism exists at Neptune Township in decisions having to do with Ocean Grove, especially in the area of development for condos, new construction of single family homes, and changes to existing properties.
So we start off with a baseline cynicism, and now this Main Avenue beach block project just intensifies that concern. Last week I asked a high ranking official at Neptune Township if there might be “double standards” at play in the zoning approval process for Mary’s Place. He said, “No double standards,” and that was the end of that discussion. There was no concern expressed that the citizens might need some explanation.
Once this building is constructed, people will never stop talking about it, but as with the Greek Temple, complaints at that point will be futile.
Kevin Chambers, a well known gadfly (and I use that word as a compliment) has alleged that there is wrong-doing and perhaps even illegal activities going on regarding this topic and others having to do with RSIS State rules. But we won’t post those allegations because everyone is innocent until proven guilty. (You should read the Blogfinger 2011 article about RSIS in the Grove, linked below.)
RSIS article 2011 by Charles Layton
However, there is certainly enough smoke to warrant the Township’s interest. If the Township Committee won’t take the side of the people and obtain an independent assessment before work is allowed to begin on that project, then the citizens of Ocean Grove will have every reason to wonder who does represent them in the Township government “of the people.”
Supposedly it is expensive to hire a lawyer to go to court and obtain a stop work order from a judge who could hold a hearing and decide if there is a problem. But the Township should go ahead anyhow, because suspicion of wrong doing in Ocean Grove will be chronically corrosive without an independent investigation and will cost the Township money in the long run due to unending distrust.
This controversy is about more than Mary’s Place. It is about the future of Ocean Grove.
NOTE: Please continue the comments at this location . The prior comments can be seen by scrolling down to the original article about this issue.
I somehow don’t think the “beautiful new homes” do much to contribute to Ocean Grove’s historic appearance.
NJ History’s suggestion, have Mary’s Place moved into the “Greek Temple” aka “The Bank”, sounds like a great idea. The building is already established & can be retrofitted to accomodate numerous bedrooms. Right now its a mansion best known in town for its unusual architecture & loud parties. Mary’s Place can have a permanent home right on the ocean, at a cost substantially less than buying two lots & building a 9000 sq ft facility from scratch. Mary’s Place saves alot of money, substanially stretching their donor’s dollars. Win-win all around!
A question was raised in one of the other threads to the effect of, will Mary’s Place By the Sea own this building or will they be leasing it? I’m asking because I believe this will be it’s third location in town. It is being built under some, in my opinion, loosely interpreted state guidelines. If for some reason they decide to move again, what happens?
I keep wondering why they chose to build this as a single family home instead of a hotel or B&B. The single family home can be turned into some type of community center. The three types of buildings can meet the same needs? If this was heard in a public forum (planning board or zoning board) we could find out.
1) A hotel/B&B is licensed and inspected by the state. Is a single family home (community center) licensed and inspected?
Who will inspect for fire, health, code complaints – the State or Neptune Township?
2) Does a single family home have less zoning requirements than a hotel/B&B to build?
3) Mary’s Place offers classes for yoga, health, nutrition, and a spa. This seems like several businesses being run out of a single family home.
Who will inspect the spa area for health violations?
4) Will this single family home only be occupied by the “terminally ill” women? Are families allowed to stay over or take classes?
Will there be an on-sight care-taker living round the clock to supervise? Does the state require medical people to be on-site at
all times to care for the terminally ill women? (I am using the phrase “terminally ill” because that is what this application was approved for.)
5) I don’t know if this is a legitimate question but if they are building with donor money, do they have enough money to complete the project?
6) The website for Mary’s Place states that women can stay for the day, overnight or 2 nights. So if many women are coming for the day to take a class or get spa treatment, we have no idea how many additional cars will be coming here. If they are just coming for the day then they are not providing “shelter”, they are taking classes.
Is Mary’s Place a good neighbor who somehow got caught up in the wanton greed of a developer and the developer’s lawyer(s), or is it a bad actor looking to put its “mission” ahead of the well being, desires, and concerns of Ocean Grove? If May’s Place had any intent on being a good neighbor, their leaders would pull back, open a dialogue with the community of OG, and seek to explain themselves. They would then pursue a path that is transparent, well vetted, and aligned with the community’s interests.
Since Mary’s Place has made no effort whatsoever to communicate with the community in which it operates — and seeks to expand in — then I believe the only possible explanation is that they are simply trying to exploit OG as an opportunity to advance their business. A cynic might hypothesize that by exploiting their “mission” to help cancer patients have fun by the sea, and with a larger facility, they can drive their fundraising/marketing to new levels, thereby enriching their developer, their leaders, and their staff. I hope this is not the case, but in silence comes uncertainty as to motives.
Given all the controversy, why would Mary’s Place not open a dialogue? Do they want to be hated in the community in which they operate? Do they want people picketing in front of their new facility? What are they thinking?
Mary’s Place provides essential care to women in need and I support their mission but not in the center of Main Avenue. Sooner rather than later I suspect we will loose our Historic Site designations as we continue to ignore our Victorian Heritage. Why not have Mary’s Place move in to the “Greek Temple”
with its abundant spacious facilities and even a roof-top pool. Perhaps this will soften the constant ridicule of this horrendous eyesore and provide Mary’s Place with the space they require. And even perhaps we could see beautiful new homes similar to the wonderful ones on Ocean Pathway rise on this prominent location.
nj history
if you have questions on this subject go the Neptune township meeting tonight Sept 22 at 6 pm for the workshop meeting and 7 pm for the public meeting This is the time to ask questions and get correct answers from the Neptune committee
Also go to the OG Home Owners meeting this Saturday Sept 27 at 10 am at the OG Community room They are capable of answering questions on this subject This is why they have the OGHOA
Even though Mary’s Place does something great for women suffering with cancer and their families; is it exempt from rules
because of sentimentality? Or is it because it is a project from the same family that has built a monstrosity on Ocean Ave in
the past? Why doesn’t Mary’s Place take over a derelict property and make it in to something beautiful that would benefit the town as well? Maybe bigger can mean adding Mary’s Place in Asbury Park as well. Ocean Grove cannot handle more commercial buildings unless they are contributing to the well being of the town and residents of Ocean Grove.