Are the winds of zoning changes blowing again in the Grove? Are such changes good for the town? Paul Goldfinger photo © Blogfinger.net Click to Seymour.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
We have some credible information about the Aurora Hotel, #6 Atlantic Avenue in Ocean Grove, which has been for sale for several years.
In a recent Blogfinger article we noted that the majestic old hotel, currently officially registered as a single family home, would have to get some variances if a new owner wanted to do something with it, such as turn it into condominiums, which is what has happened to similar old buildings in the Grove in the past, despite violations of State parking laws. (RSIS).
Now we learn that the Aurora was sold in February, 2018, to a mysterious developer called “Old Forge at Ocean Grove, LLC.” This LLC name was registered in New Jersey on Jan 9, 2018.
Shouldn’t Neptune discover the principals of this LLC? What if there is someone involved who has a conflict of interest, such as a member of the Planning Board?
And the same applies to the secretive WAVE, the re-developer at the North End where some action on that plan is supposed to be brewing.
There is an application regarding the Aurora pending at Neptune Township, but no hearing has been scheduled yet. The developer wants to convert the existing building into 4 individual residential units (presumably luxury condos for sale.)
If we can learn from history, the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment will give permission for this, even though the property does not have enough off-street parking, and such a conversion would create even more congestion on Atlantic Avenue. In addition what about preserving the exterior appearance of that historic structure?
Why in the world would such a buyer purchase that building unless they were reassured, in advance, that a condo conversion would be approved, or they have an escape clause pending approval or not?
God only knows what will happen. This is crooked Ocean Grove.
Here are two links to our recent posts on this subject, but there are others. Just use the search block at the upper right corner of this home page and type “Aurora.”
Aurora for sale BF post Jan. 2018.
Aurora false assumptions 2018 Blogfinger.net
BRIAN WILSON:
Philip Orton,
The Law that both Kevin and I rely on is referred to as the ‘Municipal Land Use Law’ 40:55D and it is NJ State Law and not just ‘Guidance’.
Love the Beach Boys reference and lyrics!
You mention “crooked Ocean Grove”— to be crooked, someone must be personally benefitting at the expense of others, right? Who is that? It is a very serious offense if it is true.
The point just above about how the Township “must” bring its zoning for OG into compliance with the law takes zoning as law, but it is just *guidance*, correct? No law is being broken; no crookedness is obvious.
I personally feel the building is special and would much rather see it converted to condos than torn down to make room for little separated homes. I respect the choice that they are preserving historically significant building and not following the Master Plan/zoning.
Nothing should be done with the Aurora until the Township brings its zoning for OG into compliance with the law.
The owner has two options. To let it stand and use it as a single family house or tear it down and seek the required variances for what ever number of houses he would like.
Neptune does not have the power to force the owner to retain the building. The loss of the building would not put the Historic District in danger. There are more than enough houses of the same style in OG, so the Aurora is not unique in that sense and is therefore not needed as an example for the community.
There is more to the Historic District than the Aurora, as can be proven by all the historic structures that the HPC has permitted to be torn down or have sadly burned down, or have fallen down as the Queen Hotel.
The Historic District will continue even with the loss of the Aurora. In fact we have already lost it as a hotel.
What is more troubling is that there are people that would permit the Board of Adjustment,its Attorney and its experts, to grant any use besides the permitted single family use.
The Aurora is a single-family house.
The owner can build two detached single-family houses on the property….if they can get a demolition permit.
But the suggestion of doubling the maximum permitted density without reference to the statutory authority to do so is irrelevant and unreasonable, and plays right into the hands of those who are willing to destroy our Historic District.
Joe. I was wondering the same thing.
CMA owns the land, but their “rules” should not supersede Neptune and State laws. Hopefully someone will comment and straighten this question out, because it is important in this town with its strange history of governance.
After 1980, when Neptune took over, they tried to accommodate the CMA, and they still do. But how far and deep does that accommodation go? –Paul @Blogfinger.net
Is the “no parking in the flair” rule a municipal ordinance or is it a CMA regulation or policy?
I was informed by a reliable source regarding the Aurora “sale” occurring in February. That source said that Old Forge is now the “owner.” That part of my post is fact.
As for an escape clause, that was just speculation on my part as to how someone might feel more confident in buying that property if the deal had a contingency clause which would void the sale if the Township Board fails to approve the 4 apartment proposal.
Your recent post seems somewhat inaccurate. You state it was sold in February. Yet you go on to mention perhaps an escape clause in effect should it not be approved for condos. Last time I checked SOLD means SOLD with no escape clause. Which is it?
I guess no one noticed that the past owners parked in the “flair” as well as across their front lawn? Maybe that’s where parking will be created. Neptune didn’t seem to have a problem with that.
Hi Paul,
You state:
“…and there are a few off street parking spots already there.”
THOU SHALL NOT PARK IN THE HISTORIC SETBACK
There is a garage and a driveway on Surf. Parking in the “flair” is not permitted as it blocks the view from the neighbors to the west. Hopefully CMA will continue to enforce this rule or it may jeopardize our Historic Designations.
Editor’s note: Paul Revere rides again on behalf of Ocean Grove. I’m so glad we have smart readers who can contribute to our efforts. This is, after all, an information sharing website, and I welcome all valid ideas.
In this case, turning the Aurora into 4 residences (rental or condos) might be justified if the exterior were preserved. It would maintain the current historic streetscape, and there are a few off street parking spots already there.
What do the neighbors think about potential increased congestion? I don’t know how the property is currently being used.
“God only knows what will happen.” Love that line!
Who amongst us has the inside track? CMA? Tax payers? Aliens from outer space! Keep digging Blogfinger it might just be you!
Editor’s note: Thanks Rose Marie. The first three words of the quote above from the Blogfinger article is from the song performed in this post by Brian Wilson. “God Only Knows” was written in the spring of 1966 by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher for the Beach Boys (who appeared in OG last summer, but without Wilson.)
The “what will happen” part is mine.
Brian Wilson is still performing with his own band under his name. He is immensely popular because of the remarkable melodies, arrangements, harmonies and musicianship which he presents. Recently a documentary was shown on TV taken from last year’s world tour.
Here is a lyric from his song:
“If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on, believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would livin’ do me
God only knows what I’d be without you
God only knows what I’d be without you.”