By ANDREW CANGIANO
Neptune officials have instituted a moratorium on eminent domain through the end of next year.
After weighing the merits of two different eminent domain restricting ordinances, the Township Committee unanimously decided to table those measures and create a moratorium that will last until Dec. 31, 2008.
The moratorium prevents the township from using eminent domain on any property in Neptune, except in areas that have previously been declared as being in need of redevelopment.
Those seven areas are: the Garden State High Tech Park, the West Lake Avenue Redevelopment Zone, the west side of Route 35 between Monroe and Bangs Avenues, the North Channel Redevelopment Zone, Ocean Groves North End, the former Whitesville School Redevelopment Zone, and the former Ridge Avenue School Redevelopment Zone.
Committeeman Tom Catley said he supports the moratorium because it allows redevelopment projects in the township to move forward.
I really think that weve spent a lot of time and effort over the last 10 years to develop the plans for redevelopment here, the strategic revitalization program that weve started, he said.
Catley said he would not like to see these plans halted due to concerns about eminent domain, which the township has not used for something other than a public purpose.
I dont think that eminent domain really is the burning issue that a lot of people think it is, or would like to make it in Neptune Township, he added.
Rutherford Avenue resident Dorothy Argyros said she was horrified that the moratorium included some properties in the township, but not others.
However, she said she understands exhempting an area from the moratorium if the township already has a signed redevelop contract and asked which of the areas had a signed agreement.
The committee reported that four of the seven do: the High-Tech Park, West Lake Avenue, the former Whitesville School site, and the former Ridge Avenue School site.
Committeewoman Mary Beth Jahn pointed out that there is language in the North Channel agreement which states that eminent domain cannot be used by the township on properties in the area.
She also said the developer of the North End, [Wesley Atlantic Village Enterprises – which was designated by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association] does not plan to use eminent domain.
Several residents expressed concern about redevelopment projects, particulalry West Lake Avenue, where the moratorium does not apply.
I have issues with this, said Theretha Jones, adding that there are concerns with the project on West Lake Avenue.
Jones said she would like to see areas like West Lake Avenue included in the moratorium.
I think this whole thing needs to be rewritten, she said about the resolution.
Mayor James Manning Jr. said there has been a lack of information being distributed by redeveloper CityWorks to residents.
Ermon K. Jones, a member of the Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation, said he believes CityWorks should be meeting with the committee on a monthly basis.
I feel that the governing body has a responsibility for oversight on West Lake Avenue, he said.
Deputy Mayor Randy Bishop said he would like to see the committee meet with the redeveloper on a monthly basis, suggesting the 15th of each month as the assigned date.
Committeemen Dr. Michael Brantley said that after meeting with CityWorks president Tom Clark during the workshop portion of the meeting, the redeveloper promised to reach out to the public with information within 48 hours.
Catley said concerns about a lack of communication show that the committee alone can not be responsible for distributing all the information residents need.
I think it points out the limitations we all have as township committee people, he said. This is a part time job.
I think it was shortsighted and I think it was a mistake to get rid of Jewell [Marketing] communications, when we did, in the beginning of the year, Catley said about the Asbury Park company that provided marketing services for the township in 2006.
We cant be responsible as a part time Township Committee, to get all the necessary communication to the people that need it, he said.
Catley said the committee will re-dedicate its efforts on West Lake Avenue and hold the public meetings necessary to give residents the answers they are lookign for.
I just think that this township committee has been focused on other things, he said. I think that the comments we heard tonight have refocused us on West Lake Avenue and I feel good about that.
Catley said that he hoped by focusing more on that redevelopment project, communication issues between the committee, CityWorks, MURC, and residents will be resolved.
Committeewoman Mary Beth Jahn said she has done a lot of heavy lifting with regards to the West Lake Avenue project since joining the committee on Jan. 1.
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