Outside the Main Avenue pillars. Blogfinger photo. ©
This lovely house is #27 Heck Avenue. Notice the curb cut to the right (east). The empty space extends to Main Ave. Behind this house is another house under construction on Main Ave.. Blogfinger photo 3/28/17 © photo
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
In a notice to the members today, the OGHOA announces that an “application for a variance to allow construction of a driveway at #27 Heck Avenue has been filed with the Neptune Township Zoning Board of Adjustment. ”
The HOA goes on to say that curb-cuts for driveways are forbidden under the Neptune Township Land Development Ordinance. The say, “Variances like the one sought for 27 Heck Avenue degrade the integrity of Ocean Grove’s unique streetscape. They are the proverbial ‘slippery slope,’ and once granted are difficult to deny to other applicants.”
Obviously they are opposed to this variance and they ask that citizens should attend the ZBA meeting on April 5, 2017 at 7:30 pm.
Main Avenue. #26 is to the left. The house on the right is behind #27 Heck. Two houses down to the left is Mary’s Place. Blogfinger photo © 3/28/17.
If you want to read the entire HOA analysis of the situation, you can click on the link below:
Unfortunately the HOA essay fails to explain the unique nature of the property at 27 Heck Avenue, as shown in these two photographs. Where did that large lot (Heck to Main) come from, and what was planned for the remaining space which seems to be too small for houses ?
Nor does it tell us more about the issue such as who the owner is and what is behind this particular variance application. Do they also want a garage? And what’s planned for the Main Avenue side of that lot next to# 26 Main Avenue (shown above.)
They really should do a more complete job of explaining the situation so that Grovers who wish to attend the meeting can have more background information.
Blogfinger has not investigated this matter, so if any of our readers know about the circumstances, please comment below. We are limited in our availability, so maybe the HOA will finally do its job and get involved in every land use mess that is identified in the Grove. Nothing less should be considered if this historic town is to be saved.
JACKSON BROWN AND MELISSA ETHERIDGE (live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.
As far as ground rent is concerned, I have not paid in 12 years and the ogcma does nothing. Why pay? You pay taxes to neptune.
Yes, BF, there should be a heck of a lot of additional information provided regarding ownership, of these lots, and the adjoining properties, and how exactly does the old usage (Sampler Delivery approach) relate to this new usage request. This of course reminds me of the ground rent issues that continue to plague so many homeowners- always cloaked in the fog that rolls in from the sea.
Doug, you must be an extreme optimist to think that burying the electric in this town – will ever be considered. With what money? The township lets our streets become ice skating rinks, while not wanting to plow the snow close to the pavement, so that they don’t have to use money on possible future pavement repairs. Our town is not a priority and burying electric would never make it to the round table meetings.
The owner of this house bought two lots on Heck Ave. to build this house
25-27 Heck. Two lots were listed on Main and two on Heck. Another new
house is being built on one of the Main Ave. lots . I heard that the curb cut that is already there was never considered a driveway but was only used for deliveries to the Sampler. Don’t know how accurate this info is.
BF,
I am totally against the curb cuts (as a matter of fact, some grandfathered curb cuts that don’t actually have a place for a car should be removed). But if they allow them for this new house, I will be at the next meeting demanding mine!
Forgettable,
I agree, we have FiOs, Telephone (copper), Cable and Electric,on the poles, looks like a rats nest, tangled sagging wires, unconnected wiring blocks and such. Maybe they should look into burying utilities for new or major rehabs, and after awhile, bury everything. A good place to start would be the site of the North End fire. Anytime we call to complain, the company says it isn’t their wire!
Nancy Thank you for that fact. The “Case of the Sad Sampler” is an exciting story where a group of Grovers tried to save that building, but, in the end, it was torn down.
Blogfinger posted a well researched amazing article about that saga, and we will repost it very soon for those who missed it when it first was published here some years ago.
This is the land where the Sampler Inn was.
Forget the house. Something has to be done about those ugly, eyesore utility poles and wires. This is trashing our town. There was a time when it was bearable, but look at it now. Even the squirrels get confused over which wire to take.
The OGHOA is getting tough on historic preservation?