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By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @ Blogfinger
The Coaster has once again uncritically reported on North End “news.” This time the “news” is emanating from the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association at the OG Home Groaners meeting on May 24, 2015.
In the May 28 edition, the Coaster states that JP Gradone, CMA spokesman, said, “Neptune Township and Wesley Lake Village Enterprises (WAVE) are the developers.” This confusing statement requires clarification, but the Coaster just repeats what it hears and asks no questions. That is how it is.
In addition, the OGHGA allows its podium for the repetition of nonsense with no indication that it asked any questions about the current revelation and how it would impact the citizens of Ocean Grove.
The confusing announcement noted above requires clarification:
A. There are only two agreements which are currently in force regarding the North End Redevelopment and they are both from 2008.
1. On March 24, 2008, the North End Redevelopment Plan (NERP) which contains zoning changes to permit condos, underground parking, etc. was officially approved by the Township Committee.
2. On June 9, 2008, a Resolution was passed by the Township Committee that named the OGCMA and WAVE as co-redevelopers.
Nothing has happened to change either of these two agreements which currently remain in effect.
B. The announcement by Gradone on May 24 regarding a change in “developers” is just talk until we see official Neptune Township paper work . Only the Township Committee may approve a new Resolution or a new Redevelopment plan.
It is unclear as to why Gradone, a CMA spokesman, is announcing an action by the Township Committee. Nowhere do we find a resolution by the Township to become a “developer” at the North End nor do we know why such an idea would be considered.
C. On April 27, 2015, Committeeman Randy Bishop (repeating a plan by WAVE) announced that a new redevelopment plan had been created which would reduce the density by 50%. But all he had was a conceptual drawing from WAVE.
To change the NERP would require the Township Committee’s rescinding the 2008 version and then signing off on a new version, but that has not happened.
This is what the NJ Local Redevelopment and Housing Law says about changing a plan: “All agreements, leases, deeds and other instruments from or between a municipality and to or with a redeveloper shall contain a covenant running with the land requiring that the owner shall construct only the uses established in the current redevelopment plan…..”
It’s time for the Neptune Township Committee to speak to the people of Ocean Grove and tell the clear truth about where we stand now regarding the North End Redevelopment project and to explain why corners appear to have been cut during this process and why transparency has been lacking.
And it is time for the Ocean Grove Home Owners Assoc. to get tough and work to defeat the North End Redevelopment Plan and stop being patsies for the Neptune Township Committee. The North End Redevelopment plan is not good for the town and will lead it down the road to becoming Asbury Park South.
COLE PORTER “Anything Goes.”