This photo shows the 2014 setbacks (before the fire). We are looking from west to east, with #50 seen where patrons are seated at Yvonne’s restaurant. All the setbacks appear to be neatly in a row. Paul Goldfinger photo © click to enlarge.
4/20/16. Looking from #48 Main Avenue west to the construction site. Blogfinger photo ©
This view of the northwest corner of the property (#50 Main ) shows the relation of the setback to the adjacent stores to the west.
This comment is regarding the new building at the site of the Main Avenue fire. Has anyone but me noticed that the new building projects almost to the concrete sidewalk eliminating the pavers that once fronted the original building’s setback? Why has this been allowed?
This new facade will break up the whole street, blocking both the east and west views on the south side of Main Ave.. This building was designed by the same architect who was hired by Neptune Township over a decade ago to redesign Main Ave with new sidewalks, lamp posts, and the very same pavers that have now been eliminated.
Y. ALLOW
Ocean Grove, N..J., April 20, 2016
The writer has been involved in construction projects in Ocean Grove.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A property owner is permitted to build out to his lot line. He is not required to match his building to the original set back or to his neighbor’s setback. If anyone wants to look into the situation, go to the Neptune Twp. Building Dept. and ask to examine the survey and the site plan for this project. —–PG
Addendum on April 22, 2016. Teresa Lepore, the proprietor of Gingerbreads at #49 Main Avenue has sent in a photo (below) that shows that #50 Main had projected forward even before the fire. You can read her remarks by clicking “comments” below.
The original letter to the editor above complained about the visuals, but the photograph shows that those visuals were preexisting. We don’t have any actual measurements of setbacks before compared to after, but Terry believes that they are identical. —-PG
Photo submitted by Teresa Lepore.
Deirdre: The discussion here is about public policy. It is not either/or. If someone comments on the design of that building, it takes nothing away from the sympathy that Grovers feel regarding the tragedy of the fire.
We have had other terrible fires in town, and there were many critical discussions about the rebuilding. You may recall the saga of the Marini family when they wanted to rebuild their home in 2011. The link is below. And there were other debates and critiques after the Manchester fire when the developer wanted variances regarding height and flare.
https://blogfinger.net/2011/09/05/ocean-grove-a-love-story/
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Personally, I’m thrilled that this important part of our beautiful Main Avenue is being replaced. From the drawing that have been posted it looks like the new building will blend well with the historic character of the town. I hope that at least some of the businesses and residents who lost so much in that horrible fire will be able to return to it.
While I am exceedingly concerned about some of the zoning issues that are developing in Ocean Grove, when neighbors lose so much to a tragedy like this, I’m inclined to offer encouragement rather than criticism as they try to move forward.
When the new building was being designed, it would have been a generous gesture to the community to have lined it up with the others.
Thank you Terry!. I agree, it is important for the town to have this piece of Main Ave. back as soon as possible.
I have sent a photo of 50 Main Ave. on the day of the fire that clearly shows that it was a huge building which stuck out much farther than its neighbor, “The Bean” building at 48 Main. It sat squarely just inside the edge of the sidewalk, with brackets and an overhang that extended out even more.
I know from a very reliable source (the owner) that the footprint of the new building at 50 Main is actually a little smaller on the sides and back to allow access for emergency equipment.
I truly wish that that the horrible fire had never happened but it has, and we should all try to support the owner who is trying to construct a beautiful new building. No one likes change, but we can’t go back, only forward.
Instead of looking for reasons to challenge it, we should be grateful that so much care has gone into creating a structure that will be a showpiece of our historic downtown area. Yes, the construction is noisy and dusty and inconvenient, but having an intact Main Ave. again is important to the town and to all of the remaining small businesses.
Editor’s Note: Teresa’s photograph is posted in the main article because we cannot post photographs in the comments section. It clearly refutes the notion that the building had been in line with the others before the fire.
What we don’t have are the exact setback measurements, before and after. But is sure seems like the setback is the same or close to it. Terry believes that the new setback is the same as the old, and she has had her business there at #49 for many years —PG
We just have to be careful coming out of the candy shop not to make an immediate right in the side of the new building.
Fran: Zero setback applies to the business district on Main Ave.
The flared setback applies to the residential districts for the first two ocean blocks.
I admit I don’t know too much about this yet, but I thought that the flared setbacks were an historic element in Ocean Grove and that the setback area doesn’t even belong to the homeowner. Or is this building not on the two blocks closest to the ocean? Thanks.