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.” Paul Goldfinger photo. August 27, 2016. ©

By Jack Bredin, Blogfinger reporter/researcher.

The Lake Avenue walkway  (AKA “Waterfront Promenade” by OGNED) is located on the south bank of Wesley Lake.  According to NJDEP Division of Land Use Regulations, Wesley Lake was, and still is, and will always be classified as an estuary.

As such, both the Lake and its banks are “held in trust” by the State of New Jersey as public open space that is reserved for the public’s enjoyment for recreation and conservation, in perpetuity. The Lake Avenue walkway is part of the public right-of-way sidewalk system, providing public access to and around the Lake.  The walkway may be made from grass, cement, sand, gravel, but regardless of the material used, there must be public access around the Lake.

After 11 years, there is still no NJDEP approval for the North End Redevelopment Plan.

Both the Township and/or the DEP do not have the authority to take or transfer ownership of the Lake or its banks, or change the permitted use of the land.

In 2008, when the Township adopted the North End Redevelopment Plan, part of the plan was to place the front-yards, for the condo buildings, over the Lake Avenue walkway. This portion of Lake Avenue was then improperly used to prepare the footprint of the project.  The walkway was incorporated into the site plan as a 30 foot front yard setback.  This encroachment is improper.

In addition, as part of the plan, the Lake Avenue walkway would be used as a “service road”and a fire-lane for the condo and pavilion (White Whale) buildings without providing a turnaround for emergency vehicles.

In 2015 the Township also tried to change the State’s permitted use of the Lake from recreation to a “municipal facility” by changing the Lake’s name on the Tax Map from Wesley Lake to “Wesley Detention/Retention Basin.”

A new unofficial Township map shows this portion of Lake Avenue as an extension of Beach Avenue running down to the boardwalk.  (see link below)

Now, according to the latest Township ordinance on this matter (hot off the presses,) the new North End Redevelopers, OGNED  LLC, are the owner of the “Lake Avenue/Beach Avenue property.” The property will become one big easement. This easement will be granted to Neptune Township from OGNED for one dollar ($1.00,) to become effective when the project is completed in an estimated 6 1/2 years from now.

According to that ordinance, at that time a condo association will own the easement, and they may close off the easement from dusk till dawn and permanently close part of the  space during the summer months.

A legitimate land-swindler would blush at what goes on in Neptune Township

Here is a link to a Blogfinger article about Lake Avenue and what is planned for it:

BF post about plans for Lake Avenue

LINDA RONSTADT; WITH THE NELSON RIDDLE ORCHESTRA   (From her album ‘Round Midnight):