Recap of special March 8 Wildwood Planning and Zoning Meeting

By Kathy Fulginiti

The City of Wildwood Planning & Zoning board meets the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in the City Hall Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 4400 New Jersey Ave, Wildwood NJ 08260. Members of the public are allowed to attend and offer public comment on most agenda items. Zoom attendance is currently discontinued.

This meeting, held on a Tuesday, was a special meeting to address two issues.

Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Plan

Planning and Zoning was not involved in the initial approval; that was City Council.  Because it involves potential property changes, Planning and Zoning entered the picture.  Many questions were asked by attendees.  One of the planners involved talked about how the study identified properties in need of redevelopment. Only one of the points in the criteria was needed to declare a property “in need of redevelopment.”  The planner also talked about how the existing architecture is out-of-date and not up to modern standards.  Another point he made was that having residential dwellings above businesses is allegedly failed concept.  This was echoed by a board member.  The planner also pointed out that the properties are below flood level. It was unclear as to whether funds would be available to homeowners who wanted to improve their properties. 

Michael Sullivan, who conducted the study, spoke about the project and what it encompasses.  315 properties were identified as needing rehabilitation or redevelopment. The properties were identified as such by driving up and down Pacific Avenue and select streets around Byrne Plaza.  Measurements were taken of some properties at this time.  He didn’t go into details about the properties, but gave an overall view of what the city hopes to accomplish.  (Details about each property can be found in the study itself, which you can read to the right of this article.)  Having this study opens up “tools” that property owners can use.  The one tool really mentioned was a possible tax abatement for people who take advantage of this.  

Here are some key points from the presentation.

• There is no eminent domain or condemnation involved with this project.

• All the properties are below the base flood elevation.

• Existing architecture is out-of-date and not up to current standards.

• Only one of the points out of the four or five criteria points are needed to include the property.

• First floor businesses with living quarters above are a failed concept. Board members seemed to agree with this.

Several members of the public spoke and had questions.  One person was adamant about wanting his property taken out of the project. (It didn’t happen.)  He pointed out what he considered flaws in the planning, the most important being the concern of eminent domain or condemnation.  A discussion ensued in which he broke down the board’s position of “it won’t happen” to “it can only happen if another study is done.” Legally, the city does have the option of eminent domain or condemnation, but it would involve another study entirely, and that would need City Council approval and community input.  Another person wanted to know how to go about renovating his property and was told that each property will be different, but it will involve something more detailed than just going to the Planning and Zoning Board.  Someone else questioned if there was a difference between the property being a commercial property or a residence. The presenter said that the Zoning Board can always increase the density limit.

A motion was made to recommend this area as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment.  The Board lawyer first said “rehabilitation,” but changed it to “redevelopment.” “Eminent domain” was not included in the wording.

Motion passed unanimously.

Thomas Gerace, 200 block East Lincoln

Gerace is the owner of the Shamrock building that was recently moved from Pacific and Lincoln to the 300 block of East Lincoln. He was seeking variances for height and side setbacks as well as a bulk variance.  Rather than destroying a building that is over 120 years old, he wishes to preserve it.  Gerace has experiences with historic buildings since he owned a building that was used in the Civil War as a hospital.  

The building will be used as a primary residence for a single family.  It will be set back from the street with parking below (enough for 3 cars).  Other buildings in the area are higher than this one, which tops 43’ 9 1/2”. Six-foot side yard setbacks are requested. Bump-outs areas narrow it to 4’7”.  The city engineer spoke up and said bump-outs are permitted to a distance of 4’, making this an issue that does not require a variance.  Since the sidewalk in front of the building was torn up during the move, Gould stated that it will be fixed.

I was asked to represent Preserving the Wildwoods: A Community Alliance during this meeting.  I spoke about the building’s historical significance during the public comments part of the meeting.

Five members of the public spoke and all were in favor of the building being left as is, without pieces of it having to be cut off.  One woman stated that Wildwood has lost so much of its history that it would be a shame to lose this building.  The board members seemed very receptive to what was said throughout the meeting.

Five votes were needed for the motion to pass, but it was unanimous.

Motion passed.

Disclaimer: These are not the official minutes of the meeting. While we have taken every precaution to ensure that the content of this summary are both current and accurate and does not infringe on any rights of any person or entity, errors can occur. We assume no responsibility for errors/emissions.

Official minutes can be found on the City of Wildwood’s web page.  They appear to be posted two months after the meeting. On Wildwoodnj.org, go to Meetings/Agendas. Scroll to year. Go to Planning/Zoning Board of Adjustments. Scroll down to the date you want to see.

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