By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net (Ocean Grove, NJ)
An uproar is emerging over changes in the HPC regulations which, according to the HOA, would weaken Ocean Grove’s ability to maintain historic standards. This appears to be part of the fabric being woven by Township insiders whose priorities clash with Ocean Grove’s.
The threads include zoning aberrations, North End Redevelopment, pollution of Wesley Lake, insider manipulations, illegal condo conversions, illegal subdivisions, parking b.s., ignoring state and local laws, lack of transparency, lack of representative government, and the bizarre chaos of purpose at the Home Groaners Association.
We have been reporting on this trend to destroy Ocean Grove as a legitimate historic district. It’s ironic that the Homeowners are complaining now about siding on our houses, when they are more than willing to turn our North End into Asbury Park South.
But if you think that this is something new, just read the article below from 2011. We have an excerpt and then a link. Believe us at Blogfinger—there’s trouble right here in River City, and it ain’t pool.
In September 2011, there was a comprehensive article on Blogfinger by Charles Layton chronicling disputes involving the Planning Board, the HPC, the Historical Society and the Home Owners Assoc. It is fascinating to read because you can see the concordance of certain ideas that were disputed then and are still issues now. They involve zoning, insider manipulation, bypassing the citizens, and deterioration of historic preservation regulations. You can also see how drastically the Home Growners have grown distant from the needs of Ocean Grove’s people and history.
Here is a segment from that brilliant piece: (below that is a link where you can read the entire article)
One important historical passage from the old Master Plan, which Osepchuk’s commission succeeded in having transplanted into the new one, described Ocean Grove’s physical decline in the 1990s as hotels and rooming houses for summer lodgers gave way to multi-family residences and boarding houses for the indigent.
Legal changes since then, prohibiting similar conversions to multi-family residential use, “have limited additional deterioration and facilitated a renaissance of investment in single-family housing, bed and breakfasts and historic hotels,” the restored language says. It continues: “These types of uses are more appropriate to the scale and character of the [historic] district and provide appropriate development that preserves the character of Ocean Grove.” The newly included language also promises “a strong commitment to the protection and preservation of Ocean Grove’s unique town plan, particularly its flared setback, and all properties designated as having architectural and historic significance.”
The HPC considered that language important to protecting Ocean Grove’s status as a National Historic District.
LINK;
As for the concerns now regarding the HPC regulations, the HPC is usually a totally trustworthy organization who will do the right thing with this matter. But they need to go public with their opinions on this situation. Who has heard from them?
It’s too bad the HPC won’t communicate with Blogfinger. This week so far (Dec 5-Dec 11) we have had 5,865 visits, and it is my opinion that most of those visits are from people who live in Ocean Grove or who care about Ocean Grove.
We will not attempt to wrestle with these guideline changes, at least for now, because we need more specific information. If you know the details, share them with us.
None of the groups in town can provide the sort of forum that we can, and those who attend the meeting tomorrow, and we hope it will be many, cannot come even close in numbers to our free speech zone on Blogfinger. Let’s use this post for the discussion.
And here is the first comment to roll in; From David Philo, a Grover who tells it like it is: “I think that Neptune is only just beginning their assault on Ocean Grove and our way of life. I wanted to be sure you had heard about this.”
What’s it all about? From “Great Movie Themes”
Kathy, since the HOA has been involved in pushing the agenda item for Certified Local Government and has seen resistance, is there a suggestion on how to get our voices heard?
Are we at the point all related groups and organizations in OG need to rally their supporters and funds for legal representation?
Also I assume much of the leadership for these groups are volunteer, not sure if somewhere in the town (maybe through the CMA) funds from ground rent collections could go towards a full time paid position who’s only purpose is to battle Neptune for sovereign matters related to the Grove?
The levels and layers of group involvement in the town is confusing for an outsider, seems like a cohesive voice is needed, but how do we achieve that?
The HOA has been actively engaged in this issue from more than a year.
The revised guidelines were released at 3:45 pm on Friday, December 9, at the same time that the town announced their placement on Monday evening’s agenda. No prior notice was given by the town on this timing.
Potential revisions had been submitted to the township committee by the HPC in fall 2015. The Friday afternoon release was the first public action by the town on the guidelines in over a year.
(I gleaned the above information by attending several township committee meetings over the past year.)
It is my understanding that many people have been working on this over the weekend to prepare details on the changes and potential consequences. More information should be available tomorrow.
This situation suffers from a deficit of details. What changes have actually been instituted in the new guidelines? What exactly is a “sweeping overhaul” as described by the HOA? What is the HPC’s detailed position on this? And why is the HOA coming to life one day before the meeting?
How can an irate public be expected to show up when they don’t know exactly what to be irate about? I guess they will have to go to the meeting to find out what’s in it.
Meanwhile, more information is needed before grabbing the torches and pitchforks.
For more than a year members of the HOA have advocated that the Township Committee submit an application for inclusion in the National Park Service/NJ State Historic Preservation Office program called Certified Local Government. This program provides technical assistance and grant funding to Historic Preservation Commissions for a variety of activities, including the preparation of historic preservation guidelines. Gaining inclusion in the program was enumerated as a goal in the Township’s Master Plan of 2011, yet the Township Committee has resisted submitting the application to a program which has benefited more than 1,900 communities in the United States.
The proposed HPC guideline revisions moves even further away from this goal. Not a single historic preservation expert, or even a member of the HPC, were included in the preparation of these revisions. This is a clear indication that Neptune Township doesn’t value the Historic District or the many home owners that are careful to preserve all aspects of their historic homes.
It seems that we need, as a group of taxpayers, legal representation.
There are several problems with the Township’s proposed change. As is well known, the first two blocks at the beach side of town are staggered, exposing the sides of each successive house. How can this proposed change not be seen as counter to the Historic guidelines now followed. Further, in a community of cross streets we have numerous “corner” properties, therefore with essentially two fronts. How is it fair that they will be held to a different standard?
If our raising of these and other concerns falls on deaf ears then I propose a meeting of concerned citizens to plot our own protest.
Surfguy: Remember Pogo? He said, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” There is a network of Grovers who pursue their own interests in this town. The Camp Meeting is focused on its mission, and as you said, the Neptune politicians are seeking ratables.
Add to the mix the citizens who are busy with their own lives and the community organizations which are mostly like private clubs, with their own agendas.
Add to that the State of New Jersey and Monmouth County–public entities that take no interest in our small town problems, particularly those of governance, and if you add up all those ingredients, what do you have left to fight the good fight?
Blogfinger, Thank you for this reporting. What will it take, what can we do? Feels like we are in a fight we can’t win, as a minority voting base in Neptune.
The property values, demographic, and fundamental beliefs and needs between OG and the Township are at odds. Without a voice or representation we are at the mercy of people who only have their own interests (personal gain) or interests of Neptune (tax revenue) at heart.
I am new to OG, love the town because of its architecture, it’s underlying religious base, and core family based culture.
Feels like this is the reason towns exist independently since they need to focus on their own needs and values. Being part of Neptune is a disservice to the residents of OG.
Which group is supposed to represent our wishes—– the CMA, the Township Committee, the Homeowners Association, Historical Society? Why do none have strong leadership, ownership or a sense of responsibility to protect our interests? Where is the rally call and direction?
I know after Sandy the town came together. I know this comment is mostly open-ended questions and shared sentiment about the do nothings; just wish I could help and figure out where and how to direct support.
Thank you as always for your reporting. I check your site daily.