By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Early construction: 4 foundations on one lot. Blogfinger photo. © We are standing on Bath Ave. looking over to Surf Avenue.
The Bath Avenue side. #17 is on the right. The ocean is to the right. Blogfinger photo ©
The Whitfield hotel was demolished nearly one year ago. After that we learned that 4 houses were permitted on a site which should have had 2 houses. It became clear as construction proceeded that the houses would be crammed tightly together at that location near the ocean, at Bath and Surf Avenues. Evidently some realtors suggested that the owner build fewer houses on the site, but the owner did not take that advice, and the houses still sit unsold.
After all, who wants to spend $1.3 million on a house with no back yard that is tightly packed among the other three on the site.? The space between the houses is tiny—can they even fit a garbage pail, and none of the houses has a backyard. Where will they barbecue or chase the grand-kids around?
This view is from the side. The photographer is standing on Beach Avenue, with his back to the ocean. To the right is Surf Avenue, and to the left is Bath Avenue. This view shows the space between the backs of the 4 houses. Blogfinger photo 12/2/17 ©
Two houses are on Bath, and two are on Surf. They are large houses which appear to be completed on the outside, but they are basically shells on the inside. One of the houses, #17 Surf, is for sale at $1.3 million
The other day, one of our citizen reporters said, “You might have noticed that, I believe, the first listed house on the Whitfield property (#17 Bath) has not yet sold. Also it appears that construction on the other three has dramatically slowed. I smell a problem.”
A source in the OG real estate business tells us that being close to the ocean is not nearly as important to prospective buyers as the quality of a residence for “life style” functions and feel. Remember that a welcoming place requires light, air and open space.
Below is a link to our analysis of March, 2017
Alchemy in the Grove. March, 2017 on Blogfinger
LISA ONO:
I agree with the problems of over-development of Ocean Grove, variances handed out to the “right” people or the people with money, buildings being converted to condos and the loss of locally based businesses, but did you not realize when you bought in Ocean Grove that it is a seashore tourist community with nowhere to grow?
There have never been enough parking spaces, not much open space, and no possibilities of adding either of these amenities. I have been in the Grove all my life and these space problems have always existed. If you did not notice that each home on a 30′ lot only had one parking place in front of it, then why complain about something that has always been.
The world is changing, the problems of Asbury and Bradley have trickled into the Grove and that cannot be changed without help from them both and from Neptune.
I think we can all agree that the Whitfield needed to go. No historical value to the building, and boarders were problematic to the area. Positive there. Negative, these lots were a great opportunity to build and develop right size homes of historical appeal, but somehow four cookie cutter track homes were built.
Absurd that four homes that are 90% identical in doors, roof lines, etc were permitted. Also, the homes are not large enough to command that pricing. 2000 Sq ft, unfinished basements, cheap finishes, big disappointment lost opportunity.
By the way, I know someone who bought the first house Green built (nearest park) and it was way over $500,000 (closer to $900,000).
@Kevin – First of all, thank you for all your hard work.
With reference to your sentence: “.. Clearly something is very wrong here. Neptune is obviously working outside the law when it comes to zoning in OG.”
But much like politicians of the past, nothing happens. No one gets fined, no one gets reprimanded, no one gets in trouble, no one has to correct.
Sigh………. It’s hard to care when you feel like you can’t fight “City Hall.”
Kevin, you are correct and thank you for everything you have done over the years to inform OG residents.
To me, OG is like a “Party Baloon” for developers, filling up with all the hot-air zoning decisions that come out of Town Hall, and the cut-off valve has been stuck in the ON position since the early 1980’s.
In most OG zoning decisions, the Township still relies on antiquated CMA zoning for OG.
Clark – Cookman Aves new home project was an interesting deal . Epworth Manor & Clara Swain were demolished in late 90’s after both being abandoned for years . OGCMA who own land said they would rebuild or make it a park . They did not do either .They sold land as 20x lots to former OGCMA President Jack Green who built 20x ~ $500,000 new houses there .
UMH sold Manor By The Sea about 10x years ago . UMH was going to demolish & rebuild Francis Asbury Manor around same time period . They did not end up doing so . They very recently sold FAM to a private healthcare company .
One can only assume neither OGCMA or UMH wanted to rebuild or stay in senior housing – assisted living business . Both UMH & OGCMA made a lot of money on these dealings .
The CMA had always promised to do some sort of housing for seniors on that land. Their excuse for selling was that there was not enough land there. Manor By The Sea seems to manage just fine.
Suffering Surfer : My house is nearby those Cookman & Clark homes . The neighborhood really did not get any more congested . The lot sizes of those houses is no more or less then standard 30 ‘ x 60 ‘ size .
Prefer new houses to abandoned nursing homes .
Where was CMA when this was approved?
Price sounds ludicrous, but this is OG.
When Jack Green bought that block between Cookman and Clark (where a nursing home had been) about 10 years ago and built a bunch of nice pseudo-Victorian homes, I thought he’d never sell them. They were squeezed in with no property and, of course, no parking. They sold.
OGCMA got high land rents (not $10.50 like we pay, approaching $1,000/yr now). Neptune got lots of tax money. And the residents of OG got more congestion. Everyone wins except us.
Once again we are talking about the troubling amount of corruption in Neptune. All four of these lots were nonconforming and under-sized. Each required a variance for an undersized lot. Zoning only permits two stories of living space. Since there are three floors another variance was required. There was a side yard set back requirement that required another variance and of course a parking variance to meet State law requirements. All three attorneys were aware of the need for these variance requirements and all three have failed to or have refused to do their job.
Clearly something is very wrong here. Neptune is obviously working outside the law when it comes to zoning in OG. The attorneys who are supposed to be officers of the court seem to hold the court and the State’s laws and the people of OG in contempt.
So much for the OGHOA and their duty to protect the people of this community.
Kevin Chambers