Mary’s Place: architects’ rendering. Internet photo.
This is the Main Avenue double lot where Mary’s Place will be built. Blogfinger photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
September 27, 2014. Ocean Grove: Today, Barbara Burns of the HOA made a presentation to about 50 people at their meeting. She went over the arcane regulations of zoning in the Grove and she gave her blessings to the project by saying, “No one can question this.” But she did not acknowledge the 150 comments and questions that emerged on Blogfinger since our discussions began on September 15. Since some of the issues that we have been wondering about were left unresolved, I wound up meeting in the Auditorium Park with Michelle Gannon and Maria McKeon of Mary’s Place where we had a pleasant, frank, and informative discussion.
Based partly on our conversation, I am convinced that there is nothing productive to be gained by spinning our wheels any further about much of this, especially since only one person questioned the Neptune approval process today at the HOA meeting. Nobody has picked up the ball to move further ahead with these concerns, so I think it is time to wrap up our evaluation of the situation.
Here is a summary of what I concluded today:
1. Those written State statute definitions are subject to interpretation, and the “community shelter” category which is being used could reasonably be applied to Mary’s Place. The fact is that the Zoning Officer is allowed to use those precise words as flexible guidelines.
2. The idea that the Township rushed the August approval seems to be inaccurate since Township officials met with the Mary’s people to discuss the zoning application well before the papers were submitted in August, and some of those meetings were attended by high level Neptune officers including Administrator Vito Gadaleta and Zoning Official George Waterman (who has denied attending any such meetings.) Most of those meetings were held with HPC members working with Mary’s architects.
3. RSIS parking concerns were dismissed today by State Senator Jennifer Beck at the HOA meeting who says that Ocean Grove is exempt from RSIS rules. I know that there are those who say that the exemption doesn’t exist, but Mary’s Place will be treated as a single family house anyhow, where RSIS rules don’t apply according to the Senator.
4. Mary’s Place did publicize their new building before they ever got approvals, but they were merely engaged in public relations, anticipating the approval, and hoping to raise some money as soon as possible.
5. There doesn’t seem to be much to worry about regarding the building design, deliveries, congestion or garbage.
So if you want to keep on commenting please do, but it seems clear that Mary’s Place will be built as planned and approved.