Condos, homes, stores and a hotel in Ocean Grove? Neptune will have to make a decision

NEPTUNE - Residents convinced the Neptune Township Committee to put off a decision that could allow a development on the north end of Ocean Grove, a plan with a mix of retail, condominiums, single-family homes, a hotel and an underground parking garage.

The plan dates back to 2018, when then-Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association President Michael Badger said the organization reached a development deal with a group of investors to bring a new 40-room hotel, 39 condominiums, 10 single-family homes, along with new retail space to the area.

The portion of land on the north end of Ocean Grove on Spray Avenue has sat undeveloped since 1978, when the North End Hotel was demolished due to "spiraling maintenance costs and declining patronage," according to Asbury Park Press archives.

But key to the project is an underground parking garage, which officials have said is essential. For years, Ocean Grove has been dealing with a parking issues that are exacerbated in summer months with beach traffic and Asbury Park patrons seeking the free parking in Ocean Grove, which is just a short walk to the south.

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The Township Committee was asked to approve a pair of resolutions and an ordinance. The first resolution would authorize a settlement agreement, and an amended redevelopment agreement between the township and the developer OG North End Development LLC (OGNED).

The second resolution would refer the amended development plan to the planning board for review.

The proposed ordinance would adopt the amended redevelopment plan.

'The residents don't want it'

During the public comment portion of the Nov. 13 township committee meeting, Ocean Grove resident Andy Levine said "there are 100 reasons to vote no" on the resolutions.

"But let me share with you the most important reason; the residents don't want it. I have not talked to a single person in Ocean Grove who wants this project to move forward. The Camp Meeting Association wants it to move forward, they will benefit from revenue from it," Levine said.

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Ocean Grove was created in 1869 by Methodist clergymen and is known for its Victorian-style homes and the Great Auditorium, which frequently attracts religious gatherings. It is commonly known by the nickname "God's Square Mile." It is part of Neptune Township, but the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association owns most of the land except for the streets. Homeowners and businesses there rent their land from the association.

Levine added "the developer wants it to move forward, they will sell a lot of condos."

"But the residents, we don't want 39 condominiums. We don't want a 40-room hotel. We don't want 10 single-family homes, we don't want four retail shops, (and) we don't want an underground parking garage a few hundred feet from the ocean," Levine said.

Multiple residents voiced their concerns regarding the parking garage and its proximity to the ocean, many noting that flooding is an ongoing problem in the township. Less than two months ago, Wesley Lake between Ocean Grove and Asbury Park overflowed its banks, flooding out businesses along Lake Avenue in Asbury.

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Historic preservation guidelines

Levine said the township's Historic Preservation Commission discussed the plans with the developer for months.

Before undertaking any work on the exterior of an Ocean Grove residence or business, owners must get a Certificate of Appropriateness from the township's Historic Preservation Commission, which is governed by the Ocean Grove Historic District Architectural Design Guidelines for Residential and Commercial Structures, according to municipal law.

"When they compared the plans with the design guidelines, they found 101 violations and voted unanimously to deny a certificate of appropriateness. They are the experts here, this is what they do. I don't expect (the township committee) to be experts in historic preservation," Levine said.

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He added that "I think it would be grossly negligent of you to approve this tonight. You haven't done the homework."

Richard Williams, president of the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association, said the vote should be postponed because there wasn't enough time to look over the latest proposal.

Williams added that he couldn't imagine how much time it took a team of lawyers to prepare that documentation "and yet you have asked us to digest it, assess it and comment on it in less than 48 hours."

Committee member Robert Lane said he thought both resolutions regarding the development should be tabled.

"Give the residents time to look at it, as well as us," Lane said.

The resolutions, as well as the related ordinance were all tabled to the Nov. 27 Township Committee meeting by a 4-0 vote. Committeeman Michael Brantley was absent.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean Grove condos, homes, stores, hotel up for debate in Neptune