By Paul Goldfinger, Editor
It is evident that work is going on at the Aurora, inside and out. It reminds us of the Warrington before the fire. Workers were busy inside and out, but there were work permits in the windows.
No permits are visible in the front windows, first floor at the Aurora.
At least one neighbor stays involved: “I reported them to the construction authority – don’t see that anything stopped them. They are clearly not throwing out furniture, and the workers have masks on. -There are at least 5 cars in front, -and on Surf in November that’s a lot ! oh well – stay tuned.”
Why don’t the neighbors form a committee to watch the Aurora, make complaints or submit inquiries? Surely this project will turn that area into a parking mess.
BILLY JOEL: “Movin’ Out.”
In answer to Dr. Carol:
The OGCMA has created lots that are now under-sized and in violation of law. Neptune cannot use the OGCMA undersized lot for its legal zoning definition within its zoning.
Also, these lots are under the control of a contract between two parties, the OGCMA and the lease holder. All of these leaseholds, by law, must be treated the same and must be zoned the same. In fact, by law, all of OG can only be zoned for single family use and all OG lots can only be zoned for single family uses since they are nonconforming undersized lots.
The Township has been granting illegal variances for high density uses that neither Neptune nor the individual lot owners are entitled to. This violation of law is going to return and bite both Neptune and the taxpayers sooner or later.
Sorry, Jack, I used the wrong word — no subdivision was requested, but a variance was approved to divide the Aurora into 4 living units.
I don’t understand why a subdivision is required. We have many condo buildings in the Grove with multiple units in one building.
Doug. If you look carefully you will see new supports holding up porches. Unless such work is exempt, they would need a permit for even that work. Such supports were seen at the Warrington, but they had permits.
If I remember correctly, the HPC only OK’s external changes, I walked by yesterday and as far as I can see, the outside has not been touched, so they really have no say in the matter. When and if changes are made, then they would be involved. The exterior of that building is in pretty rough shape right now, columns rotted, gingerbread rotting, collapsing and missing. Hopefully that will all be fixed. Not sure, but I think that if they just repair (Not rebuild) the existing parts, even then the HPC may not have jurisdiction either!
Yes, where is the HPC on this? Has the developer even submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the external changes? That should be step 1. Maybe the HPC understands they can’t take this on, and will just remain quiet about it. So once again, why should the rest of us have to follow the rules if a developer doesn’t?
A subdivision is when one lot is divided into 2 or more legal lots. But the Aurora lot is not large enough to be divided into 4 lots. What happened is that the owner was granted a use variance to have 4 homes within that one building on that one lot.
The dumpster activity indicates that serious work is being done inside the Aurora, not just removing furniture or other “junk” The owner has not, to our knowledge, obtained approval of a site plan, and no bulk variances have been applied for. We don’t think that the HPC has approved the exterior plan, which is critical for the historic look necessary for the Aurora. And there are no building permits seen in the windows.
Thus, the owner should be doing no work inside that building, and that includes gutting the place at this point in time.
Note that there is a current law suit filed in Monmouth County over some of these issues.
The Township should verify that no inappropriate work is being done. The citizens of Ocean Grove who care about historic preservation need to be reassured regarding these points.
It is a big joke that neither the Home Groaners or the Hysterical Society of OG are getting involved in the Aurora situation; they should be representing the citizens of this historic town.
And where is the HPC on this? Who knows?
Dr. Carol: I was at both Board of Adjustment meetings re: The Aurora. There was no subdivision application submitted to the Board or approved by the Board.
…and with 63% of Ocean Grovers voting for the Dems this will never change. If Ocean Grove is going to be preserved the only solution is to separate from the Township. Revolution anyone?
The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the subdivision of the Aurora into 4 units at its June 6 meeting (minutes are at http://neptunetownship.org/agendas-minutes/zoning-board-adjustment), and approved the demolition of the garage and existing shed at its July 14 meeting (minutes of which are STILL not up on the township website).
They approved a new storage structure on Atlantic Ave. to replace the shed, and two parking places, one behind the other, on the Surf Ave. side.
I don’t think HPC approval is needed at this point for the demo, and it would never be needed for the inside work. HPC approval will be needed for the design of the new storage building.
While construction permits would be needed for substantial work, the removal of debris or junk from inside wouldn’t need a construction permit. A permit for the dumpster would, of course, be needed.
They have no interest in getting involved in Ocean Grove. They have yet to show any involvement since Mary Beth Jahn was in office. Does Brantley even know where the front gates are? Has McMillan ever gotten involved in any OG stuff when he was Mayor? It’s despicable.
Please read our recent last post on the Aurora. The Board of Adjustment awarded the owner a use variance to turn that one building into 4 homes—2×2 separated by a wall.
But, as far as we know, no official site plan has been submitted, no subdivision has been approved, no more variances attended to, and no HPC ruling has been seen.
What the Heck Avenue is going on here? This historic property needs to be protected and treated according to HPC guidelines and NJ land use law–no different from any other applicant in town. And why aren’t the RSIS parking laws being obeyed here?
This situation reeks of favoritism.
Why doesn’t the mayor come to the Grove and explain to the citizens how this sort of process works? Those Neptuners are clueless; or are they?
Stella – My memory is a little fuzzy on this, but wasn’t there a proposal to turn the property into 4 units? The developer had a plan calling for minimal exterior revisions in keeping with the HPC Guidelines, more or less? And there was some controversy about providing for parking?
Well, this is a very unique historic property that is supposed to be protected by the HPC. So I will say it again, and then again. If the HPC can’t or won’t enforce the Guidelines on this property, why should they be entitled to impose decisions on typical OG homeowners? The same rules should apply to everyone.
Where is the HPC on this matter? Did they award a certificate of appropriateness to allow outdoor work at the Aurora?
Concerned Neighbor:
You cannot just call the Building Dept.
You must first go to the Building Dept in person and tell them your complaint.
Then, if you are not satisfied with the answer, any interested party affected by a decision of
the Building Dept has 20 days to file an appeal to the Board of Adjustment.
We all know the saying, which is true as well as witty, that a camel is a horse that was designed by a committee.