Blogfinger

The Aurora as seen by OG artist Jack Bredin (oil on canvas, 2018)

From the Blogfinger Editorial Staff:  2018.  Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor. Blogfinger.net

The Neptune Township Board of Adjustment awarded a use variance to the new owners of the Aurora to change the lot’s zoning from single family to a 4 family zone  (“spot zoning.”)

This new zone still only allows one building on the lot.  But it would allow the owner to put 4 condos in that one building as was described at the Board’s first hearing about the Aurora. A site plan was presented  then  which showed 2 units on each side, separated by a fire wall.    The owner promised an admirable historic restoration of the exterior.

Why didn’t this Board insist on the single family zoning that was present when the owner bought the property?  Do you think any promises were made to that owner, and who might have made those promises?

But now that the Board has given them this variance, they can have other options such as requesting a demolition permit to let them build 4 expensive single family houses, but that possibility could not happen without Bernie Haney, the Tax Assessor,  subdividing the lot into 4 lots –a potentially illegal maneuver.  However that sort of thing has occurred in the past in OG.

The HPC has not evaluated the project yet, but they will be interested only in the exterior plan.  Given their past history  (eg the Greek Temple, Mary’s Place, ugly condos)  don’t expect much from them.

If you look at Jack’s painting of the Aurora, you will see what a fine (historic)  building it is, but right behind it is an ugly condo where single family homes should have gone.

LEVON HELM  from the Imus Ranch Record:  (this is a Rolling Stones song)

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