There are those who say that Ocean Grove’s parking problems cannot be fixed. Based upon current realities, that is largely true. The BPA is hopeful in that regard as they consider various proposals, but most everything they may come up with will be nibbling around the edges of the trouble.
Imagine you had a magic wand and could cancel all mega events, defined as those which would bring more than 500 people into town in season. That would also include all major Camp Meeting events. And, as an added bonus, could do something about the Asburian Invasion and enforce State mandated RSIS parking rules and zoning according to the Master Plan.
We would be left with small town America, without the weekend clogging hordes with their cars. That would make most residents happy, and they wouldn’t mind the usual Jersey Shore beach crowds. It would transform our town.
Where is it written that the mission of Ocean Grove is to entertain frequent large crowds of tourists during the most desirable times of the year? Where does Neptune Township get the power to control our town in this way by handing out permits for uncontrolled amounts of people to come here and paralyze the life styles of Grover residents?
In fact, we could ask how these large events help the taxpaying Grover citizens. What is in it for them other than frustration, crowds, parking paralysis, and interference with their lives?
The fundamentals of Ocean Grove’s current mission/purpose in life must be challenged to fix the parking and make us more democratic. 2,900 year round citizens deserve respect along with part-time residents. The CMA is the largest landowner, but why does that entitle them to do anything they please?
What if I wanted to have a giant festival for motor cycle lovers. We would have cycles all over town, street closures, seminars, and 5 or 10 country, rock, and bluegrass bands on the beach and downtown. Would they give me a permit? I doubt it. So the big event approval process is inherently corrupt.
Can the democratic process be fixed here to give residents some control? A charismatic leader with 1000 Grover activists could do it. Or we could find a way to secede from Neptune and gain a true and fair democracy.
Otherwise, although we support the Better Parking Alliance, they will face an almost insurmountable challenge. Maybe they will look into thinking outside the box to find some impressive inventive solutions that would change the fundamentals.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
PHIL OCHS
“Moments of magic will glow in the night
All fears of the forest are gone
But when the morning breaks they’re swept away by
Golden drops of dawn, of changes.”
Kevin Chambers: Can you imagine construction vehicles, building supplies, workers’ vehicles, equipment, etc., blocking Ocean Avenue and the entire area for the summer? Eventually home owners will rebel I hope. It’s a shame.
Thanks for posting one of my favorite Phil Ochs songs.
Ocean Groves density problems have been created over many years of failed planning and corrupt officials.
State wide zoning requirements under the MLUL were created to solve the very problems that Neptune has purposefully created, in that the township, through its planners and attorneys, have refused to enact, incorporate, or follow state and federal laws that were put in place that, if followed, would have greatly reduced the density of housing units and the density of cars on our streets.
The fact that Neptune follows these zoning laws for the rest of the township shows that Neptune has targeted OG specifically in violating these laws.
Neptune is clearly violating the law in OG in order to rape the community for the tax dollars it receives for every new unit it creates at the expense of OG residents.
Until these corrupt officials are made to correct OG’s zoning, the density and the parking conditions will only continue to get worse.
Just look at the mess the township intends to create st the North End, and just wait for the nightmare it will create for the community of Ocean Grove.
Kevin Chambers
Edward. My “magic wand” scenario was a way to envision and encourage some fresh “out of the box” ways to think about our problems, so it was not an actual proposal. So calling it a “non starter” misses the point.
Under the current circumstances, I agree with you about permits and about anti-Asburian meters and I have been a strong supporter of permit parking. But even if that were being seriously considered, I do not support charging money for permits. That would be a second tax.
We probably provide the fewest students for the public schools, but those parts of Neptune that have more kids in school do not get charged an extra fee, so if we need a special parking program, then it should be provided free.
Both your suggestions have met serious opposition by the CMA in the past, and that would likely happen again in the future. Maybe the BPA could convince the CMA to consider the needs of the town’s residents.
Your suggestion is a non-starter; I’ve read it many times and it goes nowhere.
I suggest that Neptune initiate a resident perking permit for $50 or so (2 per house) and implement a paid parking system like Asbury Park’s except charge more than Asbury which will result in more spaces in OG as Asbury visitor’s will park in AP.