This is an actual design for the North End submitted in 2007. It was by an outside developer who never had a chance. We can’t show you a picture of the NERP, the current plan, because no actual design has ever been submitted. This was designed according to what the CMA said it wanted. It was rejected so that WAVE could be in charge. Is this what the people would want? 2016
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger. 2016
We are about to have a new Township Committee. 3 of the 5 members are new. Will they consider listening to the voices of the people of Ocean Grove?
In 2008, bowing to pressures from monied interests, the Township Committee agreed to violate the spirit of land use law by implementing a special designation that was designed to help the downtrodden called “An Area in Need of Redevelopment.” They did that to get the zoning changed and they became enablers for a plan that most Grovers did not want. The CMA was perfectly capable of developing that space itself according to current zoning and the Master plan.
This was not Camden.
That decision cancelled the single family zoning that was present and allowed the Camp Meeting Association and private anonymous investors to plan for an Asbury Parkish commercial area in the North End which would change the town forever and make life in town more difficult.
Since 2008, the North End has stood barren while the investors plotted to achieve their goals, many of which are in violation of laws such as building condos on the beach. They never did sign a Redevelopers Agreement with the Township.
The public has been cast aside while all those years have gone to waste. We could have had a lovely neighborhood by now at that location. Isn’t it time for our Committeemen to reclaim that area in the name of the citizens of Ocean Grove?
All it takes is for someone to make a motion to dissolve the NERP and for 3 members of the Committee to vote yes, and we could have the North End back in private hands to develop a beautiful area with single family homes as is desired by the people.
It is time for all Grovers who care about this to pressure their Governing Body with letters, emails, demonstrations, petitions, loud voices at meetings, and even law suits. You can also encourage hundreds of your friends and neighbors to vote in our current poll regarding this topic. The new Committee needs to hear from us.
Let’s leave the North End as a beautiful community with sea breezes, light, openness, views of the ocean, and a fine path to and from A. Park to be enjoyed by future generations. Wouldn’t that be nice?
ASTRUD GILBERTO