Walking along Lake Avenue. August, 2015. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
This is where Lake Avenue meets the continuation of Beach Avenue in the foreground. That continuation is actually a private lot owned by the CMA. The biker is on the part of Lake Avenue which Google maps calls “Beach Avenue.” Blogfinger photo. August 27, 2016. ©
Click on the Google satellite photo map above to see that the continuation of Lake Avenue is labeled Beach Avenue east of the north/south part of Beach Avenue. Also note that Central Avenue does not join Lake Avenue..
Google map of the area being discussed. Click to enlarge. Beach Avenue is perpendicular to where it says “2016 Google.”
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor and Jack Bredin, Reporter/Researcher @Blogfinger.net:
The most salient feature of the North End Redevelopment Plan, aside from the zoning changes, is the murky lack of transparency regarding the secret goings-on with this public project involving the Camp Meeting Association, the wannabee-redeveloper called WAVE, Neptune Township, and the OG Home Owners Association Board of Trustees.
We believe that there are aspects of the redevelopment plan which have not been disclosed to the public and that the parties involved are protecting a hidden agenda to replace the current NERP. They are hiding that agenda because we suspect that it contains changes which might be illegal or environmentally or aesthetically unsound, or not beneficial to the public good, or ethically unable to pass a smell test, or embarrassing to those involved including the shadowy figures who are part of WAVE.
At Blogfinger we have been monitoring the project using bits and pieces of facts, such as the photograph of Committeeman Michael Brantley showing a new developer around the North End and any information we can glean from public records, Committee meetings, HOA minutes and tax/Google maps and anonymous sources who are often our readers.
We use these facts to connect dots and then to speculate as to what is going on. The parties involved never provide information to Blogfinger, so we rely on our own efforts and input from the public. There is nothing wrong with speculation as long as we indicate that we are posting our opinions about what is happening.
We recently discussed the Brantley revelation. We also have been wondering about the infrastructure for the NERP, particularly the road changes which would be essential to provide ingress and egress from the large North End project which will have an underground garage, 160 residences—mostly condos, and commercial components such as stores, a hotel, and restaurants.
We have identified two facts which suggest that serious road alterations would be necessary for the North End—changes most current citizens would condemn.
First we have found Google maps which show that Lake Avenue is now called Beach Avenue where it heads toward the Boardwalk east of Founders Park. We think that a two-lane road is planned for that new Beach Avenue as it extends to join a Boardwalk road.
Secondly, we see another player in this plot: When the OG Home Groaners Association Parking Committee came up with their forgettable parking plan, there was an unbelievable item in it that would create an upside-down, U-shaped “loop” of road on Lake Avenue (see map below) where it runs between Pilgrim Pathway and Central Avenue at Founders’ Park, with parking around the “loop.” Note that Central Avenue currently doesn’t meet Lake Avenue despite the description below. (see our link below the map.)
Here is the actual wording from that HOA document which you can find on their devious web site: “An Additional Road for More Parking: Create an additional road with parking along Wesley Lake that connects Central Avenue and Pilgrim Pathway in a loop around the North side of Founders Park.” And here is their map:
Below is the link to our article from January, 2016 about the place where Central Avenue ALMOST meets Lake Ave. The HOA map above fails to show the truth about Central Avenue:
Just go to OGHOA.nerp or rather OGHOA.com and click on the Parking Committee and its document.
Clearly these so called parking experts at the HOA would introduce parking and traffic along the Lake by Founders’ Park. But who the heck came up with that moronic idea? We think that the Township and/or WAVE may have put them up to this as part of a plan to provide two way traffic for the NERP. This HOA proposal is subterfuge: It is not about improving parking—-it is about access to 160 condos at the North End.
Doesn’t it seem that these two new changes proposed for Lake Avenue near the North End might be the start of a plan to turn that whole stretch of Lake Avenue into a two lane road?
Finally, as we begin to envision a plot to place two-lane roads in and out of the North End, we see the possibility to place a new road parallel to the Boardwalk that would run north and south from the new Beach Avenue (at the Boardwalk) to hook up with Ocean Avenue further south beyond the NERP.
These roads which we envision will turn the entire North End into a commercial traffic and parking nightmare.
So, we will keep fighting the North End Wars—and so should you. Together we can find the truth, and nothing can stop us.
ANTHONY NEWLY from The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd.
OG Bess: The Beach Avenue extension onto Lake Avenue is an unofficial fire-lane for access to the North End Pavilion, and yes, cars did park there.
But all of Lake Avenue is under the Green Acres Tax Exemption Program dedicated for public recreation, conservation, and reserved by the DEP as a public walkway. It is shown on the tax-map as Block 101, Lot 2. It is a Lot, not a street.
Lake Avenue has never been part of the Neptune Township street-grid.
The North End Redevelopment Plan (NERP) identified this part of Lake Ave. as a front-yard for the condo buildings, a fire-lane, a roadway necessary to the development, and a public walkway, all within 30 feet of the Lake—-all using the same space.
I say, “Please don’t let your children play in the front yard.” Of course, this is not a laughing matter.
When we moved here in 1999, Beach Avenue did extend past Surf and turn to run east along the lake, emptying into the empty lot where parking used to be allowed. People would park their cars along that street also – sometimes on both sides. Cars also used the road running west along the lake and exiting at Central. I believe it was when the road was in danger of slipping into the lake that it was closed to traffic. I don’t know specifics – only what I remember.
That will help them—not us, especially if our parking remains free near AP. Here’s another trick from those going to AP: They bring their bikes to OG and then park their cars anywhere in town, including near your south-side house. Then they ride their bikes over the bridge and park them at the giant bike rack in front of the Bierhalle.
But this article is about traffic, density, crowding, parking, and life style changes for Grovers if the NERP actually gets built, especially at the North side of town. It will actually effect all of OG, not only those near the NERP site.
Pressure Asbury Park to build another parking deck. Near the beach.
That “Founder’s Park Loop” is a ridiculous idea. The last thing we need to do is create more roadway to park on. If you build it, they will come. It will only exacerbate our existing parking issues in the same way that more highways increased our vehicular traffic issues.
Hopefully the new “parking consultant” looking into this issue will have the smarts to propose far better ideas to manage the plentiful street parking that we already have. It just needs better planning (i.e.; stopping the warehousing of vehicles on our streets, offsite parking/shuttles for OG events, etc.).
I love Asbury Park more than any one. However, I purchased a place in OG because I prefer the relaxed lifestyle and Victorian touches (including the walking bridges and walkway along Wesley Lake). Can we all just agree and fight to not let OG turn into Asbury Park South?
Kevin, you are absolutely correct.
You and I have been the only Ocean Grove residents addressing the zoning at Committee meetings, and Blogfinger is the only member of the press reporting on how zoning decisions affect our historic district and our lives.
As example, the new roads necessary to handle the extra car and truck traffic through our narrow streets to and from the proposed North End condo project.
Our historic designation is being amputated by the Township to collect more taxes from our already over-taxed residents.
Neptune Township’s zoning for Ocean Grove is a nightmare that has and is happening and will never stop happening until they rape this community for the very last tax dollar they can get out of it.
If they really intend to make that section of Lake Av (Beach Road) suitable for vehicular traffic then they will have to put up something considerably more substantial than current lake retaining wall. This whole thing is just a nightmare waiting to happen.
I was being facetious. Surprised anyone took me literally.
But the fact that developers proposed this ludicrous idea implies that this could actually happen (which is no laughing matter).
All of that for 3 lame comments.
To “Like a Bridge”: How about explaining the “different lengths” that “OG currently has gone to to ‘keep out’ those wandering over from Asbury Park.”
This is nonsense. Aside from the bridge gates, which are a crime deterrent, what other “lengths” are you referring to? Here is a link to a 2013 Blogfinger article about those bridge gates. You should read it:
https://blogfinger.net/2013/04/23/bridging-the-gap-between-ocean-grove-and-asbury-park-part-ii-locking-the-gates-across-wesley-lake/
North Ender, are you suggesting that Ocean Avenue in Ocean Grove be extended North and attached to Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park?
This idea was suggested by developers in the past.
Most Grovers would never want a driving bridge connecting OG & AP, while most would probably laugh at this suggestion. No disrespect, but you do realize that OG (currently and has a past history) has gone to different lengths to ‘keep out’ those wandering over from Asbury Park.
Let’s build a real (not pedestrian) bridge across Wesley Lake where Lake Ave meets Beach Ave. Then car and truck traffic can flow freely between OG and AP.