What does the HPC want? They approved this “historic structure” and its cousin the Greek Temple on Ocean Avenue. Paul Goldfinger photo Dec. 2015. Mary’s Place on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove. ©
By Frank Hentz of Ocean Grove:
I have a question about how the HPC does its job. Is it normal that homeowners have a difficult time getting their architectural plans approved in a timely manner?
My architect and I are trying to figure out why this process has turned in to a game of “we need more details and we think you should reconsider this or that.”
Has anyone else felt that it is not really about the guidelines as much as how they want it to look and the power they are able to exercise?
I am starting to feel like it would be better to just sell the house and move. If the family had not been in Ocean Grove since the 1800’s, I guess we would already be gone.
DUCHESS A song dedicated to the HPC as seen through the eyes of some applicants
OhGee makes a good point re: the “big players in the North End project”. All the more reason for OG residents to get up to speed and get involved with this important issue that will impact the entire community. Spread the word!
Sadly, Frank is not a powerful builder with cronies on the HPC and Neptune Township Committee. Thus he will be subject to the vagaries of the HPC.
Many folks have had to navigate the waffling and delays that Frank describes. I won’t bother to tell you how long it took to get my picket fence approved, or how much hassle it was, but I feel Frank’s pain.
If he were a powerful builder with cronies everywhere, he could do almost anything, with minimum complication—–and get away with it.
In OG, money and influence allow you to play by another set of rules — including at the HPC
I happen to know Frank. He is a fine upstanding person who plays by the rules. His reward is he is being stonewalled. Obviously from the photo, not everyone plays by the rules and the same rules don’t apply to everyone!
The new “historic structure” on Main, The “Bank” on Ocean Ave. Gannon Builders. They are also big players in the North End project. Huge red flag waving here!