Coaster File Photo
Site of the former East Coast Ice.
By PETE WALTON
The Neptune City Borough Council has selected a developer for two long-neglected properties on Laird Avenue and Rosewood Place.
Genesis Redevelopment LLC will undertake improvements in the so-called East Coast Ice redevelopment area.
The lots were the location of the former ice business for many years.
According to a resolution approved by the council when it met earlier this week, Genesis will build seven townhouse units with parking at 96 Laird Ave. and “develop an allowable commercial use” at 87 Rosewood Place.
Genesis will also rehabilitate Laird Avenue Park, according to the resolution. The borough and the builder will enter into a redevelopment agreement “which shall further define and memorialize the respective obligations of” Neptune City and Genesis.
“Dennis Roberts of Genesis and I met with residents of the area two weeks ago to discuss their concerns and answer any questions they had,” Mayor Andrew Wardell said. “It was very well received and put a lot of their concerns to rest. They are excited to see the improvement to their neighborhood.” The mayor thanked the Chung family for hosting the meeting.
The council also approved an ordinance amending its procedures and regulations governing the legal sale of cannabis in the borough.
Of the six types of cannabis businesses permitted by the state after voters legalized recreational use of marijuana by persons 21 and older, Neptune City will only allow within its borders two retail businesses which do not include areas for consumption of the product.
The ordinance sets a fee of $10,000 to apply for one of the two licenses, and a $10,000 “annual renewal fee” as well as a “2 percent cannabis transfer tax” on sales.
A “Borough Cannabis Advisory Committee” will review the applications. Members of the committee can be residents or local business owners. The mayor, borough administrator, chief of police, Land Use Board chair, and borough clerk may serve on the committee or designate someone to do so.
The borough has asked Monmouth County transportation officials to conduct a study on the possibility of adding a new crosswalk on Steiner Avenue. The new crosswalk would be south of an existing one at Fourth Avenue.
“There is a large pedestrian presence in between Fourth and Bradley that needs a safe place to cross,” Wardell said.
The county has informed the borough that it will be resurfacing Memorial Drive from Aug. 6 through Aug. 8. Milling and paving work will be done between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Striping will be done between 8 am and 5 p.m.
Council President Brian Thomas thanked state Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11th) and Assemblywomen Kim Eulner and Marilyn Piperno (R-11th) for their help in securing additional state aid for the local school district.
Councilwoman Pamela Renee said the neuter and release program for cats in conjunction with the Monmouth County SPCA is continuing. Renee said those who live in apartment buildings and wish to report cats for participation in the program should contact building management, who can then reach out to the borough administrator or the SPCA directly.
