By Jack Bredin, Blogfinger reporter.
December 11, 2019.
The Planning Board is a quasi-judicial body, exercising functions of a judicial nature as a guide for official action.
Members of the Board act as judges and cannot talk in private with someone that has a case coming up before the court, or in this case, the Planning Board.
When Vice-Chairman Paul Brown was called on to vote, he said, “I have been meeting with Jennifer Krimko*, so I am convinced that this is all being done properly.”
The Boards’ Attorney said nothing to correct this error.
Then Deputy Mayor Robert Lane said that he had also been talking to Jennifer Krimko* about this application, and he also voted Yes.
There is now a dark cloud over this entire hearing.
* Jennifer Krimko is the attorney for the North End redeveloper OGNED.
JULIE RAFFERTY: From the Fantasticks:
Blogfinger – I couldn’t agree more. I feel helpless, sad, put-upon, and disheartened. I lived through the institutionalized era in OG. Even then we still had our charming town. I’m so depressed over this. No voice, no control.
Thanks OG Lady: The truth is much more complicated than taxes for Neptune. The project will make a great deal of money for developers and the CMA, something that they have pushed for since 2007 or earlier.
There’s nothing wrong with making money, but this project will damage the town and the life styles of those who live here. If they had stuck to the original zoning and master plan, they would have made less money, but they would be contributing to the quality of our town, and the Neptuners, if they had been safeguarding their “historic district,” would have done the “right thing.”
Others will also be enriched including new merchants, a hotel chain, lawyers, “professionals” such as the engineer who testified that Wesley Lake is “man made,” and others.
How about the Neptune Committeemen who care so little about our town and those who live here? Is it only taxes that motivate them to wink at the land use laws and defy our Master Plan? We can question motives because there is reason to do so without actually pinpointing anyone—that is something for investigators to do if the State were to take an interest.
And while we are thinking about the consequences of pushing this project through, you raise a question which we have been discussing for years: “I get the feeling that we’re losing our quaint, quiet town.”
There is no doubt that the new North End will negatively impact the life styles and demographics in the Grove. Will the condo buyers be Airbnb investors, real estate speculators, Asbury Parkers, and second homers looking north past the Casino? Will any of these new residents care about Ocean Grove as a community?
The North End project may compromise the character, quaintness, breathing room, community life, and down-home charm that so many of us came here for.
More of us will be leaving as Ocean Grove continues its evolution into a mish-mash shore town.
Unfortunately, there are too many self interested factions here which don’t care about the health of OG as a vibrant, historic, small-town community.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @ Blogfinger.
I just don’t understand! Congestion and building and overcrowding; now more parking problems to come with the “new” North End. How does this stuff get approved ?!
National Historic Landmark that requires home owners to paint their houses certain colors, doesn’t allow fencing, must use these shingles……
Is it all so Neptune can get more tax income from the new North End Project?
I get the feeling we’re losing our quaint, quiet town.
In Neptune Township you don’t have to look under every rock to find political corruption, you just have to look under any rock.
In fact Joe, if Ms. Krimko had proposed a Wawa at the North End site, it would have in fact been approved and approved without parking.
Just wait for the next application for the property on the beach across from this mess that was just approved. It will be approved without any parking. Mark my word on it.
I have seen too many illegal variances granted that would have not been approved by any other zoning board.
There is a very serious condition of corruption on both of Neptune’s boards.
It is no laughing matter.
Kevin Chambers
I suspected this was the case all along. I requested that a Wawa be situated at the new project and I have an inkling Ms. Krimko blocked it otherwise of course the zoning board would approve it!
I have long believed that it is Ms. Krimko who has been controlling our zoning instead of State zoning law or the Township’s planner or our boards.
These irresponsible boards and planner, instead of being advocates of zoning law, of the ruling of the courts, or acting as advocates for the people of OG have instead been aggressive advocates for Ms. Krimko.
It is clear, through these secret meetings with Ms. Krimko that the Township’s intent is to deny the public a full or fair legal hearing.
Kevin Chambers