CAPE MAY – An ordinance regulating event houses in the city was discussed during the work session Feb. 4. The topic of event houses was raised last year by a number of concerned residents and business owners, prompting council to form the Resort Homes Advisory Committee. The committee, comprised of residents, business owners, council members, and code enforcement, has been working on the ordinance since November.
City Solicitor Anthony Monzo defined an event house as “a dwelling unit that is used, maintained, and/or advertised as a destination location for a gathering of invited guests who are not using the structure for habitable purposes, but is used primarily for functions and special events including, but not limited to, weddings, retreats, parties and meetings where the total number of occupants inside and/or outside of the structure exceeds 30 people.”
According to the proposed ordinance, event houses will be prohibited outside of the city’s C3 zone, or Hotel-Motel District.
“We thought the hotel district was the best district because these event houses are probably more comparable to a hotel use than any other use,” said Monzo.
Jerry Gaffney, of Cape May, asked about large homes outside the C3 district and if those property owners could rent out their homes for large gatherings or weddings.
“If somebody in the Harbor area wanted to have an anniversary or graduation ceremony, they could have that,” explained Mayor Edward J. Mahaney. However, renting the house out for anything other than personal use would no longer be permitted.
“Good luck,” said Gaffney. “I have nothing critical to say about this, I just think it’s going to be hard to enforce.”
Mahaney said the planning board will review the ordinance, but that council still has the autonomy to make a final decision. “This is a matter that was requested by the public, based on an emerging situation of the last few summers,” said Mahaney. “It was starting to pit neighbor against neighbor and we wanted to alleviate that.”
Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman suggested that the ordinance also require live music to be moved indoors after 9 p.m., a requirement, he said, that the city’s restaurants and bars currently abide by.
“Although it’s in the city ordinance, I think it’s a good idea to spell it out here also,” said Wichterman.
Charles Hendricks, of Cape May, suggested the ordinance reflect all music, and not just live music, since events will often use a DJ for entertainment.
Mahaney agreed with Hendricks and said any revisions would reflect that.
For events already contracted to occur this year that may not comply with the proposed regulations, Monzo assured those organizers that the city is willing to make an exception and work with the individuals.
“This ordinance contains kind of an exception or grandfather clause for any events that have been bound by a written contract by Jan. 1, provided that they take place within this calendar year and also provided that the notification and a copy of the agreement is provided to the city by Feb. 15,” said Monzo.
Council Member William Murray said the advisory committee’s “collective wisdom” helped craft the ordinance and he thanked the committee members and the public for their suggestions during the process.
“I think it was a very constructive process, open and transparent,” added City Manager Bruce MacLeod.
The ordinance will be introduced during council’s regular meeting Feb. 18.
To contact Kirby Reed, email kreed@cmcherald.com.
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