DIAMOND BEACH – “We’re not opposed to the business, we just don’t want them crowding the dunes,” said Connie Norteman, recording secretary of the Homeowner’s Association of La Quinta del Mar Condominiums on Raleigh Avenue in Diamond Beach.
She and her husband Ray have been owners since 1984 and full-time residents for the last eight years. They represent others who are concerned that the protective dunes and vegetation in front of their complex are being compromised by development.
Carol Curland, an owner since 1984, is equally concerned about the future of the dunes in front of their building because Ciampitti Associates (The Club at Diamond Beach), which own portions of the surrounding beach area, seem to be engaging in an expansion of the club’s footprint on the beach to the detriment of the dunes that are vital to storm protection strategies on the coast.
Norteman expressed concerns to the Herald as she displayed a letter from Ciampitti that advised her that a CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act) General Permit Number 22 application has been filed with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for “beach and dune maintenance activities,” as well as “placement of temporary/seasonal structures.”
Norteman explained that she is unsure if this is some type of renewal of the original CAFRA permit, or plans to further encroach onto the dunes; “it seems they add a little more each year” to the club that features a bar and restaurant (with music) and other amenities such as volleyball.
As secretary of the association, she has also received many complaints about excessive loud music that sometimes occurs until midnight.
According to Larry Hajna, press officer for the Department of Environmental Protection, “The Club at Diamond Beach (applicant) has submitted an application for a Coastal General Permit No. 2 for beach and dune maintenance activities and a General Permit No. 22 for construction of certain structures related to the tourism industry at hotels and motels, commercial developments, and multi-family residential developments over 75 units.
“The applicant proposes the mechanical raking of the beach, maintaining an existing designated access way, and re-establishment of a dune boundary rope fence.
“In addition, the applicant proposes the placement and operation of temporary/seasonal structures to include food gazebos, rental gazebos, recreational courts, bar gazebos and entertainment areas, cabanas and other beach furnishings, palm trees and other ornamental vegetation, storage boxes, and concession stands.”
According to the “Standards for Beach and Dune Activities” from the Coastal Zone Management Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:7 Subchapter 10) and the Coastal General Permit No. 22 requirements that the club has applied for, the club is permitted to construct and use the facilities noted by Hajna between May 1 and Oct. 31 of each year as long as the club adheres to the standards cited.
Some of those standards include permitting the club to maintain underground utilities, floor decking and concession stand shells throughout the year.
The club must not construct on the dunes or berms or wetlands, nor can the club perform excavating, grading or filling of the beach for that purpose. The structures must be within 50 feet to landward (away from the water) of mean high tide water lines, may not exceed one acre in area.
The structures may not conflict with ocean views or other beach uses. There are many other rules that apply to anyone seeking to develop on the beach. These rules may be found in the titles cited earlier in this paragraph; interested parties should read those rules for a comprehensive understanding of DEP rules.
The Herald contacted Sil Basile who owns and operates the Club at Diamond Beach. He stated that the permits he applied for are routine and that no expansion of the club footprint is sought.
He intends to continue to comply with all state DEP rules.
According to Connie Norteman, she was subsequently contacted by Daniella Campanella of the DEP site inspection team who advised her that the team just visited the site and found that the club is in conformance with the requirements of the permit applied for by the club owners.
Norteman was told that if it appears that the club is in violation of any DEP regulation, they should contact the DEP hotline at 877-927-6337.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
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