The Ocean Grove North End development should be about the lifestyles of the residents, respect for the Master Plan, commitment to the law, improvement of the environment, and defense of the Shore’s beauty. Paul Goldfinger photo c. 2013. Blogfinger.net.
Looking north from OG. Our North End should contrast with the brightly lit hipster theme of AP—we should be a believable historic place that emphasizes family life and community. The vacant North End must not become Asbury Park South. Paul Goldfinger photograph.
Summer in Ocean Grove. Paul Goldfinger photograph. Defend our lifestyles.
IRIS DeMENT
Doug. Thank you. When you referred to “the citizens of Neptune’s backs,” it would have been more accurate to refer to the citizens of Ocean Grove.
We at Blogfinger have been following this thing since our start in 2009, and I had a professional journalist/editor Charles Layton from the Philadelphia Inquirer working on it, but we just couldn’t make progress, and the reasons are apparent.
We had a well known developer contact us because he was not given a fair chance to bid on the project. If land use laws are not enforced and if judges are corrupt. (just ask Kevin Chambers) and if the Neptuners don’t care about We-The People, and if the public is apathetic, and if the HOA refuses to say “No,” and if the Historical Society hides under its beds, then here we are.
My fantasy has been that the NJ Attorney General would come here and review the entire situation 2008 to now. Thanks for your wise analysis. Paul
Amazing that we are still awaiting final approvals for this in 2024. It is an example of a connected developer being able to build what he wants and not being held to the same Historic Preservation standards that every other homeowner in town has to.
This development has had a stench ever since the original Area in Need of Development was created.
I understand that the Developer wants maximum profits, the CMA wants maximum ground rents and the Township wants maximum taxes, but the HPC was the only group which actually had the citizens of Neptune’s backs on this. They were unanimously against this suburban gated condo development and wanted something more in keeping with the architectural style of OG. That could have been done, but the developer never really even tried to take the HPC suggestions. I know, I was in the meetings!
The North OG Pole doesn’t want development. It wants to breath cool, refreshing breezes into the air for the buildings that are already there. Let the North of OG be our discovery moment. Leave it alone as a park. The future people of OG will thank us as visionaries, long after we are gone.
Long-term protection and conservation, which will prominently distinguish us from the other “‘Blade-Runner’ communities that permitted developers to push their, let’s, uh hum, call it ‘stuff,’ too near the sea, for their own interests.”
One less abandoned, foolish, air-and-sea-blocking mistake, that never happened. No fires, no extra traffic, no more roads, policing.
But best of all, and this is the choice thing… no sweet nothings drummed into the sleepy ears of Neptune and the CMA.
Tired of them acting like dogs with treats.
Look: If all the “players” in town were left alone to do whatever they want, Ocean Grove would still be popular because it is a beach town. But that doesn’t mean that the residents should accept the least desirable result for such a special place.