By ED SALVAS
Demolition of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Asbury Park may take place soon as the legal battle over the fate of the landmark church comes to an end.
The city Planning Bard is expected to vote Mon., Dec. 18 to accept the plan to tear down the 120-year-old church and build six single family homes on the site on Second Avenue and Bond Street The Planning Board rejected that plan earlier this year which had been submitted by Mountain View Development. The company bought the property from the Diocese of Trenton for $1.7 Million.
Mountain View Development went to court and on Oct. 31, the court vacated the Planning Board’s decision, agreeing with the developer that it was rejected despite the fact that it conformed to all of the zoning requirements for that location and should have been approved.
City officials have declined to challenge the ruling.
Mountain View Developer Co-Founder and President Joseph Hanna said the planners will “Memorialize” the plan to tear down the church and build the six single family homes. He said a permit for demotion of the church was granted by the city on Dec. 14. The Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. Monday at he City Council Chambers.
