Today Blogfinger has received some more details about this matter. This is Part 2 on this topic:
In November, 2014, a meeting was held, at the request of Neptune Township, between town officials/consultants and the SIAB’s (Site Improvement Advisory Board) streets and parking committee to discuss how Neptune might obtain a special area parking standard (ie exemption) according to the RISS rules. The meeting concluded that Ocean Grove qualifies for such consideration. They also concluded that Neptune Township had to follow procedures including formal acceptance by the Township.
But somehow, Neptune failed to adequately complete the application properly and thus, on June 18, 2015, at the Board’s public meeting, due to the fact that “Neptune hadn’t yet submitted a formal application, its members approved a motion to dismiss without prejudice this topic from its agenda.”
On July 15, 2015, a letter was sent to Mayor Jahn from Joseph H. Doyle, Jr., Chairman of the New Jersey Site Improvement Advisory Board. We have a copy of that letter. In it, he tells her that the request for a special area parking standard for the historic Ocean Grove neighborhood has been taken off the table.
Today, October 15, 2015, we received a copy of an email dated August 20, 2015, which represents the most recent contact between the DCA and Neptune officials.
That email, below, is from Mr. John Lago, DCA Housing Research Manager to Jennifer Beahm, who is the planner from CME Associates who wrote the application dated July, 2015.
“Thank you for the paper and electronic copies of the special area parking and street standards for the Ocean Grove neighborhood in Neptune Township, Monmouth County. The paper copy was delivered to the Department on August 7, 2015. An electronic version was shared with the Site Improvement Advisory Board (SIAB). The material is close to a complete application. Two items are still needed:
- A resolution from the municipal governing body that briefly describes the application and the reason for the exception to the Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS). This requirement is specified at NJAC 5:21-3.5 (e) 1; and,
- Proof of publication by the municipality that Neptune Township is seeking approval of a special area standard. A notice of the special area standard, like the one drafted for your application, must be published in a local paper. It should briefly describe the special area standards, let those in the public know a copy of the application is available with the municipal clerk, and tell them how to get a copy of this information. (See NJAC 5:21-3.5(c)1.i.)
Once the Department has this, it will file a notice in the NJ Register of receipt of the application, including a summary of the contents, and the time, place and date of the public meeting at which it will be discussed. This will officially announce receipt of a complete application and begin the process SIAB goes through to publicly review the application.
Editor’s note: We will continue reporting on this subject. It is about more than the request for an exemption to the RISS parking rules. It is also about the way that development has occurred in our historic town. We will see if the State sees through the request which is, at its core, a smooth sailing pass-through for developers in a town that is already too developed.
The people of Ocean Grove care about parking, but parking questions are just symptoms of bigger related issues including quality of life, fresh air, peace and quiet,and maintaining the town as an authentic place with character and beauty and not just a source of riches for developers and taxes for politicians. The politicians in this town have a pattern of ignoring us in Ocean Grove. This RISS matter is part of that. Why do you think that they are pushing this exemption?
The State says that it is concerned about preserving our history as it considers the request, and we hope it gives a voice to our citizens as it has promised to do. We will be presenting some of the highlights from the application, especially the parts that justify the special exemption. And if it does reach the Planning Board, we should crowd that room in opposition.—-Paul Goldfinger Editor @Blogfinger.
FATHER JOHN MISTY: “Nancy from Now On” It’s a moody thing, but the last part of the lyric—-watch out!
“Forgive me how it was
A place under the sun
Before the devil made me run
Run boy, run boy”
Definitely agree that those pipes are somehow related to NERP. “Currently” being the operative word on the NERP deal-let’s wait and see how that probably will change.
And what about the situations on Seaview Ave. and Lake Ave.. Those buildings are destined for “redo” hence parking questions.
Appleation: Currently the NERP does provide off street parking as part of the plan. I think the RISS application for an Ocean Grove waiver excludes the North End project. But maybe the new gas and water piping has something to do with the future need for major utilities usage at the North End.—Paul
Could this sudden interest in RISS have anything to do with the NERP?
Robert-I agree that off street parking is a must for all new condos. RISS parking issues occured during the construction at the 27 Surf Ave condo building, and the issue was sent back to the Township, and “home rule” took over. Not enough concern by the community. Hence no off street parking and more space for the developer to sell, more profit for same, and more tax revenue for Neptune.
Where are you Kevin Chambers ?
In Asbury Park there are a number of apartment houses which provide underground or off street parking for cars with just a single curb cut. So the idea that curb cuts should be taboo because they reduce on street parking and reduce overall parking spaces is simply not true. Multiunit buildings should not occur in the Grove without off street parking provided. It is time to end that practice.