By Mary Beth Jahn

For the Record:

I would like to make my position on the proposed North End redevelopment very clear, so there is no doubt as to where I stand on this plan.

I am in support of a historic hotel of no more than 80 units, which is in compliance with the Neptune Master Plan, which is supported by many Ocean Grove and Neptune residents. Clearly, this would be a structure that would provide a gateway to Ocean Grove from Asbury and become yet another landmark within this unique and beautiful historic district, while giving those who visit Ocean Grove an additional option for lodging, to appeal to a wide range of new and returning visitors.

However, I am not in support of any multi-family units being built on this site. My job is to represent the residents of this area and Neptune at large, and as a former 13-year resident of Ocean Grove, I am all too familiar with their concerns. Neptune's Master Plan calls for single-family units only, not multifamily units. I believe that the only appropriate use for the remaining parcel of land after the hotel is 23 single family units that would comply with the flared setback and architectural requirements as determined by the Historic Preservation Commission guidelines. CAFRA requirements compel two parking spaces for each unit. These units would have to be in the underground garage, with that garage being no more than 3 1/2 feet above ground, and perhaps less, depending on test borings to see how far below ground the parking garage could be built.

The argument has been made that there are already many very dense units in close proximity to that site. Some have said that the presence of those high-density buildings are justification for building another high-density project; to me, that is an argument for moving away from high density units for this site. The current high-density units were created in order to prevent the demolition of former hotels that were remaining from the apex of Ocean Grove's popularity. In the current situation, we have a unique opportunity to create from scratch a new use for this site that is appropriate to the size, location, and historical nature of the North End.

Given the unique location of this site, traffic flow, which is at a virtual standstill on a summer weekend, would devolve even further into gridlock. While we need a traffic study to quantify the effects of this extra traffic, anyone familiar with trying to move around Ocean Grove via car, particularly near the beachfront, does not need that study to show how very difficult navigating the narrow side streets of Ocean Grove can be in the height of the summer season, without the impact of this proposed development. Even with underground parking and the replacement spaces that would need to be provided when the current parking lot on Ocean Avenue is melded into the hotel area, there will still be unbearable parking difficulties for residents in the area. We need to recognize that more than one car per unit will be associated with these units. It is imperative that emergency vehicles have ready access to all angles of this site, should the need arise.

To sum up my position on this project, I will only vote for the hotel and retail space, 23 single family units, underground parking, no above-ground or surface parking, and a certificate of appropriateness for each individual unit -- hotel, retail, and residential - from the History Preservation Commission. I also believe that this project should be put out to bid in order to see what options would be available for this area. I greatly respect the rich history of the Camp Meeting Association and all they have done to make Ocean Grove the very special part of the world and Neptune it has become, but when this area was named an area in need of redevelopment, the ability to choose the developer was given to the Township Committee, no matter who the Camp Meeting chose as their preferred redeveloper, and

I believe that a fair and open bid process for this development would help right a lot of the wrongs that have set this project off on the wrong foot. Since the responsibility of being the redevelopment authority has been given to the Township Committee, I refuse to cede my responsibility as a an elected official to make an informed decision on a contracted redeveloper without knowing what other ideas are out there and and to see which proposal could provide the Camp Meeting and Neptune with what they need to improve an area that has deteriorated due to benign neglect for 30 years and that has the most positive impact on Ocean Grove, Neptune, the residents and the Camp Meeting association.

It is disappointing to me that my fellow committee people do not share my views on how this plan should proceed, but I want to make it clear to the residents who believed in me enough to vote me into office that I hear them and their concerns, and that this is the only option that I feel would not only serve Ocean Grove's historic mandate as defined by the Department of the Interior's guidelines for federal historic districts, but have the most positive impact on all concerned. I very well may be the only committee person to favor this option, but I must vote my conscience and I do not believe that I would be serving my community well if I voted for an option that would violate our own Master Plan and ignore the feedback of the residents of this community.

I am in favor of development, but it must the right kind of development for this unique tract of land. I believe it would be hypocritical of the Township Committee to vote for a use that violates our own Master Plan, and that if we expect others to follow the tenets of that Master Plan, we must do it ourselves, and lead by example.

It is my desire that the final plan adopted for this tract unites Ocean Grove and Neptune, rather than divide it, as it has done for almost 18 months. It is also my desire that the plan chosen for this project gives the Camp Meeting the revenue stream it needs to continue to achieve their mission; I just want to ensure that it is not done at the expense of other residents.

I am sure that there will be those, especially my colleagues on the Township Committee, who have a very different opinion on this topic, and I respect their views, and I hope they respect mine. We all want to see the demolition and cleanup of the eyesore currently occupying that site, and we all want to see responsible development of the North End, for all of us to enjoy for years to come.

Regards,

Mary Beth Jahn
Committeewoman/Police Commissioner
Neptune Township