Ocean Grove boardwalk, North End. May 6, 2016. Sign in front says: “Coming soon–DUNES Boardwalk Café.” Blogfinger photo © Click to enlarge.
Is this building on sufficient supports to withstand another Sandy? Does it meet current post-Sandy construction standards? Let’s hope so—wouldn’t want it to wind up under the sea.
SAMUEL WRIGHT from The Little Mermaid:
Zack Boykins: The Beach is State owned riparian lands, managed by the OGCMA.
The OG Boardwalk and Pavilion (White Whale) are structures built on the Beach.
But regardless of who owns the Beach, the Pavilion property; Block 1.01 lot 3; (using NERP lot numbers ) cannot be subdivided unless it fronts on a street and is approved by the DEP. It was not and does not front on a street.
The Planning Board determined that the Boardwalk was a street. It is not.
According to Township records, that lot was never subdivided by the Planning Board. It’s all a mystery to me.
Jack: Can you please elaborate on this? What subdivision of beach property?
Did they carve a new lot out of the exiting lot that encompassed the beach? Isn’t that allowed as long as it conforms to minimum lot size?
I though the State only owns land below the high tide line; doesn’t the CMA own the beach?
The white whale is dangerous. It extends over the beach presenting an environmental disaster. The Camp Meeting should declare it a hazard and have it demolished and open the beach.
Is the Camp Meeting coveting money more than it cares about the safety of people? One wonders.
Moby Richard, you are correct, and the White Whale is permitted on the Beach as a Beach Pavillion. (Circa 1910)
What is not grandfathered in is the recent subdivision of State beach property and the zoning that permits commercial and residential development on an isolated lot in the middle of the beach.
You are being kind when you say this is a “stupid decision.”
This relates to your question on whether the white whale building could withstand another Sandy — it’s not relevant, because I believe the owners are not keeping it for it’s actual direct value. They are likely keeping it so that they have grandfathered development rights to the parcel. Once it goes away, the would lose development rights, based on typical laws banning development on beaches. I’m not sure of the specific laws for NJ, but this is my strong hunch.
The Atlantic will continue to deal with structures and human beings as we continue to make stupid decisions about the Atlantic coastline. So long live the white whale as a special harpoon is on its way. It just does not have a name yet!