‘Bump Out’ Ordinance Tabled, City Council Seeks New Proposal

SEA ISLE CITY – This municipality’s City Council met Dec. 13. 
The first item of business was the introduction and first reading of an ordinance whose purpose is to amend the flea market, yard and garage sale rules to allow for estate sales and demolition sales.
This ordinance will be discussed further upon second reading with the allocation of time for public comment at a future meeting.
A major portion of the session was taken up with an ordinance, up for second reading and hearing. This ordinance is to amend the “Encroachments” section of general ordinances to reflect changes allowing setback encroachment for certain architectural features commonly referred to as “bump outs” and as only pertain to corner lots.
City Solicitor Paul Baldini gave a presentation with diagrams on what he intended while drafting this ordinance, and as he attempted to reflect what council had expressed as its end objective.
“The ordinance maintains overall firewalls and specifically provides for bump-outs only on side yards of corner lot properties. We are trying to focus both on what is the intent of this change as well as what is fair,” he said.
After Baldini’s remarks, the council had much to comment on the details and reasons behind the proposed ordinance.
“We should let the developer, builder or architects decide how to approach the long side of a structure so that it doesn’t look barren,” commented Council member John Divney.
“Should we give architectural liberties on two opposite sides of a corner property? I don’t think that’s necessary,” said Council member John Gibson. 
Council member Mary Tighe asked, “Doesn’t this all depend on where the driveway is located? It’s all about getting more space, right? And if there is an opportunity for a bump out on the ocean-facing side of a property people will take it which won’t really beautify Sea Isle.”
During public comment, a local builder said bump-outs were never built for corner lot properties and would exceed the setback. The ordinance needs to ensure that any bump-out allowed does not impinge on the air space or light of neighbors.”
A resident said, “Why don’t we just reduce the footprint of new properties and then they can all do what they want.”
After these thoughts had been aired, Baldini suggested that council table the ordinance to allow “for us to hash out without 30 people watching what council wants to do. Then we can make sure we know what we’re doing, look at our options.
“This was a first stab at getting people to talk about the idea so now we can re-do the ordinance which then will have to go through the planning board for approval anyway.”
Council agreed and will await Baldini’s new draft.
During additional public comments for the consent agenda resolutions considered during this session, a resident asked about a resolution which authorizes the execution of a shared service agreement between SIC and Ocean City.
Business Administrator George Savastano explained that this agreement covers his engineering services for 2017 with Ocean City for which the city will be reimbursed for his time.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.