Look past artist Jack Bredin’s view of the 2021 OG North End and imagine how it will look and be after OGNED gets done.
The Centennial House in OG. This is what historic OG ought to be about. But no one protected our town from the OGNED exploiters. Jean Bredin photo for Blogfinger.
North End. Before the White Whale burned. Paul Goldfinger photo. Empty space. Should be developed as a park to benefit all residents and guests. Despite the valuable land in NYC, a large swath was turned into Central Park. Think of the lifestyle possibilities here.
March 23, 2021. Ocean Grove, NJ.
We received a 7 page PDF document today by email, from the NJDEP documenting the CAFRA approval to the Ocean Grove North End Development, LLC c/o Mr. William Gannon and Mr. Joel Brudner of Belmar.
They approved “the construction of a mixed-use development consisting of a 5 story 40 room hotel, two multi-family 3-4 story buildings containing 39 dwelling units, 10 detached 2.5 story single family residences, and a first floor retail area, all constructed over an underground parking garage containing 140 spaces.”
This document also authorizes “stormwater management and landscaping.”
You will notice that the elements of the plan are different from the only approved plan in 2008? This seems to be a violation of land use law and should be investigated
The link to the State PDF is below.
I am not going to attempt to tackle this document, but if any of you have such engineering background, please comment.
There is a provision in there to request a hearing by anyone who feels “aggrieved” by the decision. They have 30 days to make such a request.
Any opinions can be lodged on Blogfinger via our “comment” button below or by email to Blogfinger@verizon.net
Needless to say, we at Blogfinger are disappointed, but there has been next to no overt opposition by the public, and none by Neptune Township, which has allowed this corrupt “zone in need of redevelopment” to proceed. The Township deserves our condemnation and our scorn.
Ocean Grove will never be the same, and its future as a classic and historic small Jersey Shore town looks bleak at the moment.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
March 23, 2021.
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, USA
KINGS OF LEON:
Wow. Weeks after this post very few responses. Quite pathetic & apathetic .
Unlike general development, a redevelopment plan within 500 feet from the Ocean is a public project, that needs Governing Body, Planning Board, DEP approval, and the Company preparing the plan certifies it can be built.
The Governing Body approved the redevelopment plan in part within an estuary, one half on the beach, and all within 500 feet of the Ocean, in a flood zone. Not to worry, we have a redevelopment Attorney to oversee the entire process.
The Plan would require two levels of underground parking that would be economically infeasible for this plan.
The entire plan for parking and the parking garage consisted of an arrow pointing underground, and the Planning Board approved the plan, relying on the expert opinions of the Town Planner and Engineer. The plan was sent to the DEP.
Also, there were no plans for pilings, footings, or a foundation to keep the structure from sinking into the sand.
The DEP relies on the Town’s Engineering, and takes no responsibility if the project can, or cannot, be built. If it cannot be built, we could be sued by the developer for the lost profits of a $100,000,000 project.
Paul:
If this is for real I hope it fits in with the style of the town. The mystique of Ocean Grove for me started around 2001 or so with me riding my bike on the boards and eventually becoming friends with the employees at the Shawmont. Besides the boards up and down the nearby towns biking, the beach and just hanging out was fun.
In recent times the town lost Sea View Sweets, Nagles, Saturday Night “FUN” entertainment, and most of all the Shawmont now has cancellation policies that are so numerative covering a wide variety of circumstances that you can see clearly where the almighty dollar is more important than the family atmosphere it once had.
The last few years I been staying up in Monmouth County that is much closer to Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay and I can get a reservation with a free cancellation availability if I need to do so and the rates are much less than the Shawmont. Last fall I stayed at the Beachwalk at Sea Bright that is on Ocean Drive and conveniently close to Sandy Hook for biking, beach, photography plus it has Hartshorne Woods Park for activities. So at best I might stop in the Grove going to or coming from home or Monmouth County locations. Oh………there is all sorts of parking too. So for now that will update you. As they say, it was good while it lasted. Got my cv19 shots too.
Editors note: Rich Amole was a member of the Blogfinger staff in the past, focusing on town history. PG
Re: Underground Parking . Why can there not be a multi level overground parking garage(s) ???
Annabel: There has been widespread concern in the Grove as to whether an underground garage would be feasible. But now, somehow, OGNED evidently twisted enough arms at the DEP for the State to give its blessing. The State took its time assessing this application, and the DEP letter says that they retain no liability if flooding damage should occur.
Here is an article we posted about the question you raise–it is reposted on 3/24
Underground parking near the ocean has been done before as in Long Branch.
Paul @Blogfinger.net
Nevertheless, there still is concern about flooding. I know the design had to provide an escape route for cars to be removed in anticipation of storms apart from the main entranceway.
“Except for the underground parking area depicted on the approved site plans, which the permittee has demonstrated will not be subject to flooding, the construction of any habitable area below the elevations above, such as a basement, is prohibited.” Not subject to flooding? REALLY? Where is the water table? Does anyone know?
The final responsibility for this calamity lies with the Camp Meeting Association and their greed. How many of the investors are connected with the CMA and stand to profit, and will we ever know?
This area could have been responsibly developed with single family homes and a park. Instead we get this. I agree with Frank, it might be a good idea to cash out and leave town. That would be a shame, but like I say, Ocean Grove is not for everybody.
I thought the state said ‘underground parking’ wasn’t allowed?
Editor’s note: We have re-posted an article on 3/24/21 we wrote about the DEP’s attitude re: underground garages last year
And here is a link: https://wp.me/pqmj2-GOq
All Neptune sees is the tax revenue this project would generate. After all OG has been a cash cow for Neptune for a while. Doubt added tax revenue would decrease already high current OG taxes.
Most newcomers to OG could care less about the historical & spiritual aspects of OG. OG is close to NYC (and Asbury the new hip East coast town) and a beach town. Period.
Thinking it’s time to move on and sell my house for 10x times what I bought it for and laugh all the way to the bank.
P.S. – CAFRA permission is a joke. Developers proved that nearly 20 years ago when they got away with demolishing Palace Amusements in Asbury Park.