Fletcher Lake. c. 1999. No condos at the south end. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
30 years ago, the citizens fought off the proposed condominium on the South End of Fletcher Lake. It has been done before and can be done again!
Note that citizens formed a group to fight this thing. That citizen opposition was loud and insistent, and it plus the rejection of the idea by the Fire Department ultimately finished off the plan.
This 2 part video is shared by someone who is familiar with this precedent setting event.
Wake up and smell the sweet aroma of history in Ocean Grove. Thanks to the friend of OG who sent this to us.
Paul @Blogfinger
THE BEATLES:
I recall the developer promised that he would build a pool that would be available to the public. Additionally, joggers would have been provided with a path so that they could circle around the condos and proceed north on the boardwalk. The builders presentation sounded so enticing.
It was also my understanding that a high rise had been approved for the North End. We are indeed fortunate that neither non-Victorian structure was constructed. Kudos to Kevin Chambers for his tireless efforts in publicizing the South End plan at the time Ocean Grove was in a state of decline.
Let’s hope that the past is not prologue to the future when it comes to developing the North End and that input from Ocean Grove residents is seriously considered.
Blogfinger, Congratulations are in order!
Your article, ‘O.G. rejects South End Condominiums’ clearly shows that the Township’s involvement in preparing a ‘redevelopment plan ‘ for the North End was a fraudulent misuse of the ‘Redevelopment Law’, not by the property owner or the developer, but by the Township.
A tip of the hat to the resident who sent you the video!
The information below is from the Ocean Grove Record in Feb. 20, 1986:
“The Ocean Grove South End Hi-Rise 53-unit condo to be built along Fletcher Lake and the Boardwalk was extremely controversial. The Neptune Township Board of Adjustment on Feb 5th, 1986 had a packed meeting, and a newly-formed group, Advocates for Historic Ocean Grove, represented by Attorney George Cotz, opposed the Hi-Rise.
“The builder, Schneider Partnership, represented by local Ocean Grove Attorney Andrew Wilson, requested variances to exceed height limitations, cut down on parking requirements, and to overthrow the zoning of a recreational open space for a high-density residential use.
“The packed turnouts for the hearings and the Advocates legal representation shone a light on the fragility of Ocean Grove’s zoning protections. Ultimately, the project was rejected because of fire codes: the building, which had no land access along the Fletcher Lake elevation, would have required a fire boat permanently docked on the Lake.”
Wow……….that location has so many years of history unmarred by progress and that is what it still is…………….don’t ya just luv it.
Kevin Chambers and anyone know where Channel 34 came from?
They actually thought something at the North End was going to be built just like today. Neat Video.
Editor’s note: The current North End plan was approved in 2007. Does anyone know about the North End plan that was mentioned in the video dated 1986? This video has so many parallels to our current situation.
The fight at the South End was won by the people, and our current South End, as stated in comment above, still enjoys those wonderful open spaces and vistas thanks to those who stood up in 1986.—-Paul @Blogfinger