Ocean Grove Residents Oppose 63 Condominium Plan
Coaster Photo
Condominiums are planned at the site of the former grammar school next to the Jersey Shore Arts Center at the Ocean Grove entrance.
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Ocean Grove residents living near the intersection of Main Avenue and Lawrence Avenue plan to attend a special meeting of the Board of Adjustment Wednesday to voice opposition to a proposal to construct 63 condominiums in their neighborhood.
Edward Morrows, Webb Avenue, and his wife Donna are leading the group, which plans to make up flyers for distribution around town. By law, only residents living within 200 feet of the project must be notified.
“It’s not going to look like Ocean Grove if these go in,” said Morrows.
One of his concerns, he said, is that the new construction would be four stories high.
“Right now I can still see the sun set,” he stated.
But Morrows and his neighbors are most concerned about the effect on traffic and parking in the area. The proposal calls for one parking space for each condominium unit.
“Most people in Ocean Grove have two or three cars,” he added. “Anything extra is going to be on the street.”
Morrows is also concerned because the new project violates township zoning laws.
“Zoning allows 24 units,” said Morrows, “they want to change it to 63. That’s quite a difference.”
Board of Adjustment Administrator Rose Havey said that plans call for 36 two-bedroom units and 27 one-bedroom units, with 68 parking spaces allotted.
The area, she said, is currently zoned as mixed-use commercial, but conceded that numerous variances will be needed for final approval of the project to be granted.
Havey said that to her knowledge several buildings will be demolished to make room for the new construction including the old Ocean Grove grammar school, the school gym, a house and an old service station, which have already been purchased by the developer, Regal Homes.
Morrows is also concerned about the aesthetic value of the new construction.
“This is Ocean Grove and it has a certain look,” he said.
Even if the board of adjustment grants all of the variances of the proposal, said Havey, it would still have to go before the Historic Preservation Commission for final approval of the facade of the buildings.
Morrows, who has lived in town for 15 years and has two school-age children, said that as far as he is aware, only one person in the neighborhood is in favor of the proposal.
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March 29th, 2006 at 10:23 am
Verry good idea.The area would look much better than it does now,with the improvement’s on 33 and71,it would be a grand entrance to Ocean Grove ,it would make a statement of how far O.G. has come with Asbury on the north starting to take shape Bradley to our south hopefully to follow suite,we would be in a very nice position to up our value as a historic community with the north end also getting some action now it’s a thums up to a great place to be right now. Judy friend of O.G.
March 29th, 2006 at 11:30 am
It will also tower over the existing homes in the neighborhood, block most of the sunlight we get today and add an enormous number of vehicles to an area already dealing with parking shortages. And who knows what effect it will have on water supply/pressure, sewage, drainage – and the neighborhood homeowner’s property values. (Who wants to live in the shadow of a monstrosity?) It goes against all existing codes – use, height, density – and it’s not supported by anybody who lives in the immediate neighborhood – ie, the people who would be most affected by this proposed project. By all means, redevelop the area to replace what is there. But do it under existing codes – nice, Victorian style single family residences and perhaps some light, appropriate (not a gas station) retail on the South Main Street side. Don’t build a monstrous, four story, curb-to-curb apartment building. We didn’t choose to live in Ocean Grove so that we could live next door to a high density apartment complex. Think of your neighbors and think of the community. We don’t need to jump on the first plan put forward by an out-of-town developer. Let’s wait for a developer who is willing to work within existing codes – they are there for a reason – and who wants to improve the neighborhood, not one who just wants to make big bucks at the expense of the existing property owners.
March 30th, 2006 at 2:43 am
You’re so right Jamie. This plan is only going to make Regal Homes
richer and Ocean Grove poorer.
April 18th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
I own a home directly across from the proposed project. It is deeply distressing that they are tearing down historic buildings in a historic district to build condos. But, the HPC allowed demolition permits after engineers testified that these buildings can’t be saved. Although, experts also testified that OG wouldn’t be given historic status today as we keep depleting our historic stock. Asbury’s buildings were in much worse shape, and through research the old Grammar School is actully the oldest building in the Grove, the “fireproof” stables that look exactly as they did in the orignal drawings from old newspaper articles. Mr. Herbst obscures that fact. Just because he decided to save one building over the others doesn’t make them any less valuable to the community. Mr. Herbst purchased said property for $1.00 from the School District and has used grants, community service workers and an army of old ladies(I was one of them) and buddies to refurbish the place. And, it is beautiful and Mr. Herbst works hard everyday marketing the place. But, should the other buildings be sacrificial lambs to feed a business model that can’t support itself. That is what he said he wants; money to keep the art center going. And the building of the condos will do that as he pockets the money from the sale of what used to be public property. I believe that land should still serve the public. What the community needs is a parking garage. That would still give Mr. Herbst a perpetual profit. We can even name it after him; the Herb Herbst Memorial Parking Garage. Disguise it with a mural, landscaping and place it between the Stables(in the future converted to the OG Museum) and the Arts Center, which consistently overflows it’s current lot. Why not keep adding to the community Mr. Herbst? Don’t take our sun away from us. Send Regal Builders away, instead.
April 18th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
I urge everyone in Ocean Grove to attend the zoning hearing on May 10th at 7:30 p.m. This is of vital interest to the community….Every year citizens complain about the lack of parking at Ocean Grove Homeowners Association meetings. I can tell you as an ex-member of the Homeowners board they never gave it a moment’s thought. No plan was ever considered or talked about. What is the aim of the OGHOA anyway…if not to serve the homeowners concerns? This is a last chance to get a parking garage, save the oldest historic building in town and still give Mr. Herbst what he wants, perpetual income – everybody wins!! Please attend the zoning meeting May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
April 24th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
I drove by the area and yes, Lawrence avenue needs improvements but I am not sure I like this idea. Even thou it will have a direct impact on the surrounding homes (including the 3 homes it engulfs), I feel the overdevelopment will indirectly affect the entire town. I know I idealize when I state I would like single family homes there but hopefully with a show of community concern there may be some middle ground of much less units or combo of less units and a few professional offices. Ocean Grove is already too densely populated and parking has always been a problem. I plan on attending the May 10th meeting to oppose the variances as an Ocean Grove homeowner.