STONE HARBOR — Should the borough lease and improve the vacant lot owned by Dr. John Sprandio on the corner of 96th Street and Third Avenue so the public can enjoy a park while waiting for construction of the Shelter Haven Resort?
The Herald has received an influx of Spout Offs concerning this issue.
Earlier this month, Mayor Suzanne Walters proposed that the borough lease the lot from Sprandio for $1 for the summer season to make some minor improvements, with financial support of local organizations.
Walters said folks could enjoy outdoor music and/or movies in a basin-side park.
Borough Council discussed the idea May 5 during closed session, which concluded with the decision to draft a lease agreement for council’s vote at the May 19 meeting.
Walters told the Herald the Realty Owners Association (ROA) agreed to donate $1,000 towards the lot’s improvement after she made a presentation last week.
Construction of the resort will begin this fall with landscaping and installation of a pond, Sprandio said.
Karen Lane, president of the Stone Harbor Garden Club, told the Herald the club decided against donating to improve the lot.
Ordinance 1259, adopted June 6, 2006 states that the borough can cleanup any property then charge the owner for the cost of the cleanup.
Walters said Ordinance 1259 is in effect so that if a formal complaint is received, it can be acted upon.
She said the clerk has received several complaints over the years about the Sprandio property and he has been contacted.
Walters said Sprandio sent out people to cut down weeds over ten years ago.
Visible from the street, tall grass stands nearly 5-foot high around the lot.
Though it may be ugly and overgrown, Walters said it is not weeds but rather ornamental grass that council approved in a planting chart for the lot years ago.
“I’m sure no one thought that it would take this long to build something on that property, but unfortunately it has,” she said.
Water lines to the property are not turned on and there is no irrigation system in place, she said.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com.
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