Blogfinger

OGHOA. 11/25/23. Joan Venezia. Blogfinger photos.

Robert Ingato. OGHOA meeting. 11/25/23

By Paul Goldfinger, MD.  Editor. Blogfinger.net

They had a title:   “We will have a joint North End and Legal Affairs Committee presentation.”

I am well aware of the complexities of this whole subject since Blogfinger has covered all aspects since 2009.

Robert Ingato is a lawyer, and I totally appreciated the way he presented the entire history of this complicated topic and then evolved into a breakdown of recent events.  His presentation was beautifully prepared , but I started to lose my way towards the end because of  complexity, fast talking,  and terminology.

I wish his talk had been recorded and printed, because I would love to have that as a reference.  Maybe the HOA can make that happen.  It would be an invaluable resource for all.

Joan Venezia brought the perspective of a homeowner to her coverage of the  situation, stepping to the mike after Robert, and revealing her dedication to the cause.

Lets consider a few items which I found to be particularly interesting

a. Robert went back to basics:   How did the CMA’s North End qualify to be named a “Zone in Need of Redevelopment?”  Robert researched that and he agreed with Blogfinger’s  long-standing assertion that our North End should not have qualified and that single family homes zoning should have been retained.

Here is a 2019 BF post on this topic,:

Criteria for re-development zones:

b.   Robert spoke of the original Redevelopment Plan where certain understandings were part of that 2008 proposal. For example, the requirement for HPC approval was there. Remember HPC was originally part of the historic district story.

c.   He verified that the re -development process required envisioning sessions.  He spoke to witnesses (2008)  who said that Grovers were heartily  against the plan.

d. There was a law suit against the plan in 2008,  but the plan won.  No details were given.

Perhaps things might be different now if the OGHOA of 2010 had made a group decision  to say “No” to the plan rather than send letters to the Township that the plan be made smaller.

That bragging point, which surfaced again today by HOA President Williams, took pride in enabling the process, not rejecting it.  I will bet that any influence which the Groaners inflicted back then could not have been respected if those changes did not benefit OGNED, like the idea of reducing the garage from 2 levels to one.  If it had remained at the original 2 levels, the whole plan might have collapsed—OGNED said so!

Regarding the OGHOA taking the lead on town issues, this group has about 500 paid members.  The census records 3,000. So they cannot claim to represent all Grovers. Hopefully they will continue with that understanding.

e. Who will benefit if this plan is built?   The Mayor at the last Town meeting admitted that Neptune was to benefit by increased tax revenues.  He couldn’t come up with ways that We-The-People could be made happier by implementing a plan that would be responsive to us: Blogfinger has done a few polls that have always shown about 80% of citizen participants rejected the plan and wanted single family houses instead at the North End

f. It occurred to me that we OG citizens seem to expect that changes in our town should occur only if Grovers are supportive, but that may be a bit short sighted since the Committee represents the whole city, not just us, but it seems reasonable that we Grovers should receive the highest priority for decision making such as the Re-development Zone.  After all part of the Re-develpment plan does include that provision of envisioning sessions. where Grovers opinions would be favored. If they have envisioning sessions, so it is assumed that those results would be influential.

g. The original plan stressed the provision in the Master Plan that new construction  fit in with  existing historic mass and shapes.   That Master Plan was not only ignored by the Township, but the original NERP plan said it could be ignored!

h. Someone in the audience asserted that a hotel in the plan would be a historic precedent because the original was build around 1890, but that is not true.  It opened in 1916, after the date of   “official historic events.”  Actually that part of town was originally a tent village and then an empty lot before any construction would begin.

Here is a Blogfinger link about this point:

historic North End hotel

i. The Ingato presentation got a bit disorganized  towards the end when he was mainly talking about the HPC brouhaha going on recently including the idea that many citizens need to show up at the next Township meetings. Nancy Clarke spoke up to hope that such attendance could make a difference in the outcome.  I think it would make an impression, but not a difference. I hope I am wrong.  The Township wants the HPC to be bypassed.

He did not present a clear distinction between the HPC law suit,   the impending approval of an “amended North End Redevelopment Plan,”   and  also a coherent explanation of the latest “Redevelopers Agreement.”  And he did not have enough time to cover the many components  left undiscussed.

j.  Joan made a very coherent point about safety which she says is currently being “ignored.”

 Blogfinger warned about this in the past.  She pointed out that no one lately  is paying attention as to how emergency vehicles could get into the complex and turn around.   This is especially concerning for fire engines, and I can recall when Blogfinger screamed about this, especially Jack Bredin. This is another item ignored by the Township and we believe that the OG Fire Dept. did not sign off on this.   And she also spoke about the garage.  Joan also mentioned “storm water” as an ignored “serious problem.”

k. Robert said that he would love to see the North End built, but the projected 7 years  for construction is prohibitive , and the current plan is wrong for our town.   Joan will keep going to meetings, but she is not a fan of this plan. Her passion and knowledge  about this is evident.

2 Hours Later:     The Gipsy Kings: “Hotel California.” Spanish Mix.