To the Editor:
Below is a letter we sent to the OGHOA regarding their being MIA on RSIS parking issues and asking what their strategy is.
I believe that, beyond contacting Mr. Lago at the Dept. of Community Affairs, we should encourage your readers to write to the OGHOA and ask/request that they initiate/increase their efforts on this critically important issue. Ocean Grovers need to begin to hold the OGHOA accountable for being our advocates. Let’ start a letter writing campaign/groundswell to get OGHOA moving.
Dear OGHOA:
We live in Ocean Grove. Parking is an important concern for our family and I found it curious, if not outright disturbing, that no representative of the OGHOA went to Trenton last week to lobby against changes to the application of RSIS standards within OG.
You are well aware that if Neptune Township is successful in negating these regulations, an explosion of condos will result, as will further exacerbation of the current parking shortage. These dynamics could well jeopardize our Historic District designation. This is an issue that is directly in the sweet spot for the OGHOA.
Further, I am mystified that you have not, to my knowledge, filed complaints/legal challenges with appropriate State agencies regarding the non-compliance of recent real estate projects. How many condos will you watch being built that don’t provide adequate parking before you act?
And, importantly, we have not seen evidence of the OGHOA being part of the dialogue for the likely non-compliance of the North End development (will an underground parking lot meet the full RSIS requirements? Not likely). To date, it appears that Blogfinger is the only entity that is fighting back
The RSIS regulations give you a very powerful tool to control development. What are you doing to assure these regulations are enforced and prevent circumnavigation of existing parking standards by Neptune Township and their crony developers (other than passively watching it all play out)? We need you to be activists on this issue. I’m sure all residents of OG would like to understand your strategy for managing this issue to OG’s advantage. Please let us know what you are doing.
Sincerely,
DAVID HEPLER is a resident of Ocean Grove
December 21, 2015
Editor’s note: Vote “yes” for Jack Bredin’s motion at the HOA meeting on Saturday, March 26, 2016
Jack: The following quote is from a January 2016 BF editorial on this subject: “Despite requests from some members, the OGHOA board has failed to seek a policy vote regarding these issues. Instead they continue patronizing and disrespecting the membership by representing their opinions as being those of the group.”
And here is a BF quote from an OG citizen “By the Sea.” on Feb 11, 2016 : “Who does the OGHOA think they serve? Why do they not test their positions with their own membership? I am a member and I can attest to the fact that OGHOA members were never offered an opportunity to review the RSIS issue, vote on or even discuss it.”
http://blogfinger.net/2016/01/22/editorial-oghoa-cancels-rsis-meeting-its-time-for-the-membership-to-demand-a-policy-vote/
David Hepler: You may not be aware that Ann Horan decides what the Home Owners membership thinks.
The OGHOA has already endorsed the Township Committee application in a letter sent to Mr. Joseph Doyle, Chairman of the N.J. Site Improvement Advisory Board, encouraging the Advisory Board to :
“Approve Neptune Township’s application for special area standards.
(The Committee’s application would permit multi-family condo development throughout Ocean Grove.)
The letter was signed
Very Truly Yours,
Ann C. Horan
President
Ocean Grove Home Owners Association
With a copy to the Township Committee
This was all done without approval of the HOA membership