NORTH WILDWOOD – Statutory requirements are satisfied, according to city planning officials, as the city’s master plan underwent the reexamination process Oct. 23.
Prepared by Heyer Gruel and Associates, the reexamination follows the mandatory 10-year review to see how the city had reached its development goals and land use practices.
According to Community Planning Consultant Susan Gruel, the review is “very detailed.” Gruel outlined several zoning changes that had occurred since the last 2010 review.
According to Gruel, changes in state law concern land development regulations.
Residential structures may be added in commercial zones as the city seeks to expand the area from 17th to 16th avenues (and on Surf Avenue from 26th to 22nd avenue.
Lot sizes were also discussed as the planning board reviewed paragraph 29. Under suggestion from Mayor Patrick Rosenello and Police Chief Matthew Gallagher, the board decided to remove the paragraph completely.
Rosenello stated in an email, “The paragraph that was removed prior to adoption indicated that you would not be able to subdivide existing 100-foot lots to create two-50 foot lots to take advantage of the new zoning that allows ‘Duplex Coastal Cottages’ on 50 by 100-foot lots.”
“Therefore, as adopted, the master plan will allow duplex coastal cottages on 50 by 100 lots. A duplex coastal cottage is a two-family home that is scaled down to a 50 by 100 lot and gives the appearance of a single family home.
“These duplexes are a conditional use, which means that the applicant must go in front of the planning board and prove that they meet the conditions of this zone for these properties,” the mayor stated.
Another change concerns the Resort Hotel Zone (ocean side) and the Boardwalk Zone from 15th to 17th avenue.
According to Rosenello, the board did not “merge” the Resort Hotel with the Boardwalk, but “rather created three separate zones.”
He continued that “1-Pier Zone will deal strictly with Boardwalk Piers. 2-Boardwalk Zone will include the Boardwalk back 100 feet. We expanded the Oceanside Zone to take up the remainder of the old Resort Hotel Zone.”
“Although we eliminated the RH Zone, we made the development of a hotel a conditional use in the Oceanside Zone. Again, this would mean that someone wishing to develop a hotel in that zone would have to come to the Planning Board and show that they have met the conditions of the zone.”
Resident Roy Burnham questioned the planning board regarding the potential expansion of the Coastal Barrier Resource System.
In July 2018, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to expand the CBRS area to include the city’s seawall.
Rosenello explained that if Congress approves the updated maps, Hereford Inlet is included in the maps and, according to the updates, so is a large portion of what is the seawall, approximately 60 feet.
According to Rosenello, the CBRS “prohibits any federal money being used to do any work in a CBRS.”
For instance, no federal money could be used to extract sand from Hereford Inlet to be used as replenishment in Avalon, Stone Harbor, or North Wildwood.
The Army Corps of Engineers will no longer be able to maintain the seawall in North Wildwood or will be able to complete the proposed dune system. Further implications could include interference with dredging projects and seawall projects.
“How will we treat our Inlet?” Burnham asked.
Burnham said he is concerned for public safety on the inlet beach and recommends “opening up the side” to allow emergency vehicles access to the beach.
Rosenello said a beach replenishment project is being discussed. The CBRS expansion has been tabled due to “push-back” from those not in favor.
“This was probably due to opposition from congressional and senate members,” Rosenello told the Herald.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.
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