Thursday, December 17, 2015. As you now know, we were not given the chance to counter Neptune Township’s request for a Special Area Standard regarding parking in Ocean Grove. Several of us attended the SIAB meeting today and we did have prepared statements. I was allowed to leave my planned statement as part of the minutes today. Here is that statement:
My name is Dr. Paul Goldfinger of Ocean Grove where I am a long time homeowner.
I am also the editor of Blogfinger, an Ocean Grove web site, and the only media source that has been covering this matter. This blog allows Ocean Grove residents to discuss issues about our town. We also conduct opinion polls which, although not scientific, give an idea as to which way the wind is blowing.
I am qualified to speak about the views of Ocean Grove citizens due to the 2.5 million visits to my blog, since it was founded in 2009, and most of those visits are by Ocean Grovers. I have moderated thousands of comments and discussions on the site including those regarding today’s topic.
In my opinion, the people making today’s presentation to this Committee do not represent the homeowners and citizens of Ocean Grove.
Instead, I believe that they represent the interests of developers who would compromise our historic designations by seeking more condominiums and other similar buildings without parking in our town—- doing so by willfully violating RISS parking regulations.
The planner who appears before you today was hired by the Neptune Township Committee, but our recent poll (Nov 6) of citizens showed that 84% of over 300 respondents do not trust the Neptune Township Committee to do what’s “fair and just for the town of Ocean Grove.”
Condominiums, such as have been allowed in our town in recent years, endanger our historic designations because those buildings are not historic, they tend to be eyesores, and they promote congestion and parking problems on our streets. If you grant the special area standards requested, you will legitimize such development and make it easier for more such buildings to be constructed.
Neptune Township says that their request is only about historic preservation, but this Special Area designation is not needed in Ocean Grove for that purpose. What is needed to help citizens maintain historic preservation is for the State to make sure that RSIS parking standards are enforced for multi-residential buildings so that we do not have any more condominiums constructed without parking.
In my opinion, the people of Ocean Grove want the Township to have neighborhoods with single family zoning throughout town. That is the true historic precedent which has existed for some time and is the acknowledged preference of Ocean Grove’s citizens.
In another opinion poll on Blogfinger, Dec. 7, 272 citizens voted on the question of “Do you prefer 25 single family homes (original zoning) at the North End Re-development Area to the current plan’s 165 residential units? ” 88 % said yes they favor single family homes. If this Committee grants a special area standard, it should only be for single family homes.
The people of OG, in my opinion, are concerned that the Township can simply ignore a law that they don’t like—RSIS parking standards. If we the people must obey the law, than so should the Township, and Neptune should not be rewarded for violating New Jersey law , because granting them their request will send a message to our citizens that breaking the law is acceptable to this Committee.
Our homeowners have invested large sums to remodel our houses to historic standards. We moved to OG because we love the historic preservation which is going on. We do not want more commercial development, especially without off-street parking provided.
Thank you so much. May I call you “Wiki? We never set out to be a comprehensive source of OG news, opinion and information.
I love the way you put your compliment. We at BF will to “do that voo doo that we do so well.”
Paul. From the editor’s office. Blogfinger.net
Thank you, Blogfinger! Homeowners, and all who care about OG, are indebted to you for your contInuing care of our town.
Thank you for doing this. You are a blessing to OG.
Way to take it to the man. Nice job finger. Fight the power!
Gosh. The email is john.lago@dca.nj.gov Or call him at 609 292 7898 You will find the SIAB to be receptive to the opinions of Grovers.—Paul
Paul You did a fantastic job it; is about time the people are coming out of their shells to protect the Grove
–Please email me the Board’s email address since others may want to write them. Again, great job
Thank you, Blogfinger! Homeowners, and all who care about OG, are indebted to you for your contInuing care of our town.