North End Area in Need of Redevelopment Blogfinger photo ©
By Jack Bredin, Ocean Grove resident.
June 17, 2019.
In 2018, the Township Committee:
a. Withdrew the 2008 (10 year old) public North End Redevelopment Plan (NERP) prepared by the Neptune Planning Board for the Township Committee.
b. Withdrew the title of “Co-Redevelopers” from both the OGCMA and WAVE.
c. Approved a 2011 private plan prepared by Shore Point Architecture for WAVE that the HOA took credit for negotiating with the CMA. However, the Township is processing it as if it were a public plan.
That plan is now the OGNED plan that includes the Pavilion building in one section of resolution 18-395, but does not include the Pavilion in another section of the same resolution (Attachment A, dated 11-26-2018.)
d. OGNED is now designated as the exclusive Conditional Redeveloper. But it will become the Redeveloper when a Redevelopers Agreement is signed with the Township.
In 2019: The Township Business Administrator reported, “All issues regarding the OGNED plan have been worked out,” and a Redevelopers Agreement is ready to be signed.
It is clear that the Township Committee has already approved the private development plan prepared by WAVE for OGNED.
The next step is off to the Planning Board, and they will decide if the new OGNED plan is the same plan they prepared with Planning Consultants T&M Associates for the Township Committee in 2008.
Of course, it is not the same plan, but they will say “it is,” or they will be replaced
What is the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association’s role in all of this?
With a favorable response at the June 22 meeting of the HOA, the Township Committee can say, “The Home Owners of Ocean Grove support the high density WAVE/OGNED plan.” After all, they supported the first 2008 plan and took credit for negotiating the new plan.
But to make the record clear on this matter, the Homeowners Association at their upcoming meeting should entertain a Motion of the Membership that they approve or do not approve the OGNED plan for the North End.
As to the HPC, they only make a recommendation, but the HOA represents the “conscience of the community of Ocean Grove” as well as the “will” of the people.
Is there any hope for Ocean Grove?
Editor’s note: HOA members—be sure to demand a vote as to whether the group wants to support the plan presented to them by Mr. Gannon.
That vote should only take place after all audience questions are answered and discussed.
And make sure that the individual who is presenting the plan is giving you confidence that he can be trusted to do the right thing for the residential and historic town of Ocean Grove.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net.
BAN THE PLAN!
THE PLATTERS. Perhaps the HOA leadership will say they’re sorry for supporting the Township on this:
I think the State, which has a BIG say in any beach development and the EPA will have something to say about this development. I’ve seen post Sandy flood zone maps that have the Pavilion, the boardwalk, part of the site and the area along the ‘retention basin’ in that new flood zone. Has an environmental impact study been done? How about a ‘perk test’ on the site? Actual access to the site? Underground parking? (Have they never heard of a Nor’Easter?)
Far too many questions remain unanswered.
How about a paid parking lot and a nice doggie park instead? Just think, 30 years of lost parking fees for the CMA since the fire at the old hotel.
For the Neptune Township Committee to think that the OGHOA represents the people of OG is ludicrous. What is their membership? Less than 100? How many attend meetings? Less than 40?
If the Neptune Township Committee truly care about what the residents of OG think concerning the North End Plan, put it on the ballot for the next election.
Unfortunately no one really represents us: not the OGCMA, not the OGHOA, and certainly not the Neptune Township Committee.
FYI The Committee meeting minutes says, “OGNED will be submitting site plans to the Redevelopment Committee.
Formal submission to the Planning Board will occur after the Redevelopment Agreement is signed. OGNED is trying to get on the Planning Board agenda in June” *
*not.