By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
In a series of articles on Blogfinger we have reviewed the lawless behavior of Neptune Township in failing to obey the existing RSIS parking standards which would discourage more condo development without parking. (Just do a search above under “RSIS” or “Condominiums.”)
The Township had been trying to obtain an exemption (ie a “special area parking standard”) for Ocean Grove for some time, but as recently as December 2015, their application was denied by the State Residential Site Improvement Advisory Board (SIAB.)
Some of us Grovers were present in Trenton to hear the Committee Chair tell the Township Administrator Vito Gadaletta that the application was denied “without prejudice” and that if the Township wants to reapply it would “have to start the application process anew.” (this quote is from the State Dept. of Consumer Affairs.)
At Blogfinger we have been watching for Neptune to appear on the agenda at the SIAB, but their meetings have been cancelled in January and February. Now we have learned from the DCA that Neptune Township has not so far reapplied.
If you are a cynic, you might roll your eyes and think, “Fuhgetaboutit—Neptune will just do business as usual and continue to ignore the law even as it approves more condominiums and places like Mary’s.”
Would the new members of the Township Committee be willing to be a party to such blatant disdain for the people of Ocean Grove and the laws of our State?
STEVE EARLE AND THE PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND –playing the theme song of the Neptune Township Committee:
There is a very large space at the Art Center on Rt 71 and Main Avenue that could be used to provide a parking garage. I don’t know who controls the land now, but I can’t image why this could not be considered as an option. Money would be required, and also a change in principle about unrestricted parking here. Why not issue stickers for residents, and make the visitors pay for parking in the garage? Run a shuttle bus between the garage, beach, and auditorium. Charge for street parking like Asbury Park. The Camp Meeting would not like it, but they do not own the streets as far as I know, only the property lots.
In the longer term, parking is going to be a crippling issue for Ocean Grove. Neptune Township does not seem to understand that parking issues will worsen, and have not done any planning for that real prospect (Cars backed up on Main Avenue.) They just buy, buy, and buy again, the DEVELOPERS rosy plans and projections. Why can’t Neptune look CONSERVATIVELY on the rosy dreams and promises of developers? Look at Long Branch!
I can’t imagine handicapped parking wouldn’t be made easily available for Mary’s …
Until proven wrong, I am going to believe that the new members of the Township Committee will do the right thing and obey the RSIS statutes.
Let’s hope they understand that no further growth in OG housing units should occur unless there is proportional incremental parking. Unless there is underground parking, this means, practically, that no further increase in housing density is possible. To do otherwise is against RSIS, contrary to the zoning and HPC intent, and damaging to current residents/owners who pay a substantial portion of Neptune Township’s tax revenue. Surly the new township Committee members don’t want to do that.