Lake Avenue as it meanders past Founders’ Park. Can you imagine parking just east of there on Lake Avenue, or even widening that walkway past the park into a road to receive traffic? Paul Goldfinger. Ocean Grove 2014. ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger and Jack Bredin, Researcher.
We have learned that Neptune Township is applying for Federal and State funds to preserve historic sites in Neptune Twp.
It’s hypocrisy with a capital H. Ironies of ironies! This is the same Township that has violated State regulations to allow non-historic condominium buildings to be built instead of Victorian single family houses. They have allowed such structures to go in without parking, causing worsening congestion—distinctly an un-historic character trait.
They are the same elected officials who would allow a commercial zone at the North End instead of single family development that would be truly historic in keeping with our 19th century heritage.
And the Home Groaners will be champions of this application—the same people who are behind every one of the Township’s un-historic moves in recent years as they favor developers who have no interest in historical preservation. Do you think Stokes ever saw a condo go up in his Ocean Grove?
That same Home Groaners group would have you believe that condominiums have not been a problem and will not become one in the future. But consider this: In recent years in Ocean Grove, 26 individual lots have been converted to condominium buildings, without providing a single off street parking space; for a total of 308 residential units.
If the HOA/Township/WAVE consortium gets its way at the North End, we will probably see up to 160 new condo units, not counting any that might go up at the White Whale property.
And while we are speculating about the future, keep your eyes wide open for certain possible developments at the North End which you haven’t heard about….yet.
Google map from the Township web site. Note that the easternmost part of Lake Avenue is now called Beach Avenue. The north-south part of Beach Avenue lines up with the G of Google. Currently Beach Avenue stops between Spray and Lake. It does not turn the corner onto Lake Ave.
That NERP project will require considerable infrastructure surprises to permit ingress and egress at that very busy commercial district. The HOA/Township/WAVE consortium does its planning in secret, and non-transparency is always bad for the public good.
We predict that Lake Avenue, a walkway historically with no cars all the way to the ocean, will be widened at its east end, somewhere past Founders Park, into a two way road for traffic, that will empty into a two way extension of Beach Avenue and a two way section of road where the Boardwalk is now in order to reach the White Whale. Look for Spray Avenue to become a busy stretch for two way traffic. If you live around there, better pay attention!
Beach Avenue comes from the right and stops, but in the future we believe it will turn right here and proceed east onto what used to be called Lake Avenue. Note the bidirectional arrows on the macadam. ? For runners or cars? Blogfinger photo. 4/18/16.
And get this: The HOA suggests metered parking/cars at one of Ocean Grove’s most beautiful, car free, and scenic locations—–along Wesley Lake by Founders’ Park.
This suggestion should make every resident furious and might even require cutting off a portion of the park. Don’t let this parking trial balloon fool you. This would-be parking subterfuge sounds like an excuse to widen Lake Avenue for traffic right near our most famous and historic park.
We also predict that the hotel will never be built—to be replaced by condos, and that the underground garage might become an above ground garage.
The OG Home Groaners Ass. cannot be trusted to do what’s best for historic Ocean Grove. Citizens must form a watchdog committee now, or you will all wake up one Sunday morning to find that nothing is the same:
SPANKY AND OUR GANG:
Thank you to Blogfinger and Jack, our only “true” source of information. And thank you for being so dogged.
Reblogged this on Blogfinger and commented:
Over two years later, and this post is still relevant. Grovers: Keep your eyes wide open. Don’t depend on your elected officials. Vote them out this Nov.
Jack Bredin,
You have the definition spot on.
The four tests of highest and best use are: (1) legally permissible (2) physically possible (3) financially feasible and (4) most profitable. The first two tests are interchangeable in order and, in many circumstances, the last two are combined. Steps Three and Four (financially feasible/most profitable) cannot be determined until the first two steps are analyzed.
If it is legally permissible, which of course is the lynchpin of this project, then step 4, most profitable (greed), as you point out, will be the driving force shaping the North End. If single family zoning does not prevail, we can all look forward to high density housing in the North End.
I also agree with Blogfinger’s assertion that the hotel will never be built. The economics simply cannot justify a hotel. More condos will fill in the area of the proposed hotel creating greater density.
Your efforts as well as those of the Blogman in keeping this important issue alive is greatly appreciated.
Paulie D: the definition of ‘ the highest and best use ‘ is :
“Highest” means maximum permitted density.
“Best Use” means the Use recommended by the Master Plan.
As example, “the highest and best use” in Alpine NJ is one (1) single- family house on two (2) acres of property, in Ocean Grove it’s one (1) single-family on a 30×60 foot lot, and not multi-family condominiums.
The definition of “Greed” is: 165 units on 2 1/2 acres at the North End.
The term ‘highest and best use’ has been hijacked by land swindlers.
The CMA needs to recognize parking as an issue to their attendance fall off. Patrons can no longer park in a deserted Asbury Park and wander over to the show. A Saturday parking challenge is like no other. All of the issues are related to a common thread. Density!
The CMA needs funds. The Great Auditorium is poorly attended at most church services, as well as the Saturday evening events. When we landed on these hallowed shores 32 years ago, we had to arrive at the choir fest an hour early to get a seat. Not so in recent years. Times they are a changing, to quote Dylan. The CMA will develop the land to the “highest and best usage” which is a real estate euphemism for jamming in the most units, to maximize their profit. It is not unlike the Royal’s in England renting out their Estates for tours and events, as well as selling off parts of the estate to keep things solvent.
In addition to single family homes, it would be nice if the CMA would build a new pool at the north end to provide recreation and swimming lessons. Recreational use would once again enhance the area. Wishful thinking at best.
Keep up the good fight, put on your flack jackets and hope for a reasonable compromise.
Where is the CMA? They own the town and the land! Get your priorities straight and click on preservation, not expansion. We are doing great, and more condos, traffic, congestion, and trucks won’t fix anything.
Is the old retaining wall, even the recently repaired section, capable of handling increased pressure from two way traffic, let alone heavy construction vehicles?
Secondly, how do the residents of the three large condo structures already in the area feel about the potential loss of parking, access and meters? The single family owners have expressed concern already.
Paul. We are currently engaged in speculation because, in the absence of transparency and straightforwardness, speculation is the mother of prevention and discussion. However we have facts and good reason to be suspicious.
And, for the record, Jack Bredin, our modern day Columbus, discovered that cartographic new world—that map change that begs an explanation.
I find it curious that the Historical Society or the Review Board are seldom mentioned regarding these issues. Certainly any proposed altering of Founders Park or Lake Ave. must be a concern to them. As we all know, as a National Historic Site we as residents are expected to be held to specific standards and so should Neptune, OGCMA and any delevopers. There’s nothing historic about blacktop.
Paul Weinstein: you are correct. The white arrows are coincidental to the article.
We are suggesting the original plan to enter and exit the North End Development, was from Ocean Ave only.
As the result of a traffic study, the new plan is to enter and exit the North End from both Beach Ave ( to the west) and Ocean Ave, ( to the South East)
Central Ave (a two way street) will connect to Lake Ave as suggested by the OGHOA and turn right on Lake Ave. And enter the North End Development on Beach Ave (as shown on a new plan) presented by Committeeman Randy Bishop and the name of Lake Ave has been removed from the 2014 tax map.
Township and OGHOA actions may have given you little reason for faith in their judgment, and everything you say may be 100% correct, but I think it’s possible those white arrows were put down to guide the AP half marathon runners last weekend.
It’s amazing you discovered that change in the map!
Did anyone attend the March 14 Township Committee meeting? I see that the Committee convened an executive session and two of the topics to be discussed were:
-Potential Litigation – Municipal Encroachments
-Potential Litigation – Residential Site Improvement Standards Application
In addition: “Mr. Anthony reported that he should have the financials on the North End Redevelopers in the next 30 days. He was decided that [sic] Mr. Bishop and Ms. Rizzo will serve as Committee representatives during the negotiations of the Redevelopment Agreement. ”
Sadly, the minutes for March 28 and April 11 are not yet posted.