SEA ISLE CITY – This resort’s City Council met June 14. Much of the nearly two-hour meeting was input from the public and council members to reach closure on a new FAR (Floor Area Ratio) level.
An ordinance was presented for second reading and public hearing. It covered the amendment of the city’s various zoning sections to change the FAR from .8 to .85.
The first comment was by resident, Joseph Frieda, who set the stage for ensuing remarks by giving an overview of the issue. “The history of (the city’s) FAR is that we had a FAR level of .7 which included what was understood to be a ‘bonus room’ although that was illegal.
“Then in 2008 the FAR was raised to .8 along with elevating the so-called bonus room which was now understood to be a family room along with the foyer. When Sandy hit, we needed to elevate homes to federal level flood standards and in March the FAR was again formalized at .8 by council,” stated Frieda
According to Frieda, “Current popular home models under construction here won’t fit the present FAR ordinance and we’re likely to run into yet again illegal bonus rooms which will affect our flood insurance rates and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) considerations.”
Subsequent comments were made by residents who urged council to preserve the integrity and transparency of last year’s master plan survey which garnered over 3,000 responses indicating, for the most part, an overriding priority of reducing congestion in the city and eliminating “monster homes.”
Other comments, representing business owners, including the president of the local Chamber of Commerce as well as local builders, argued that at the Planning Board meeting the prior night an expert engineer had reported,”A FAR of .85 was not inconsistent with the city’s anticipated master plan,” and that .85 would not substantially increase the town’s density or traffic issues as compared to a FAR of .8.
While no new considerations or insights were raised, Council President John Gibson was careful to allow all to fully air their thoughts.
Before council’s vote, and after Council had given their opinions, Gibson summed up his perspective. “I want to emphasize the integrity of the process council has followed and emphasized as well that we have been accessible to all who wanted to share their views. In reality, the .5 difference we are talking about in this ordinance will not make a big difference in changing the ‘monster house’ issue nor will it give us more parking.
“However, approving this ordinance does move us forward to where we think we want FAR to be. The master plan will be adopted this year, and there will be another opportunity to consider a new FAR ordinance and its potential to address all the concerns we’ve heard about then. Today is only one day in that process,” said Gibson.
When council voted, the ordinance passed 4-1 with member John Divney voting no.
2016 Beach Tag Revenue Up
Business Administrator, George Savastano, reported that as of June 12 beach tags amounting to $971,605 had been sold which compares year-over-year to $967,330. “The weather hasn’t been great although it hasn’t been bad so if we can get some sunny weather for the next 90 days we’ll be in good shape,” quipped Savastano who added that 967 free beach tags had been distributed to military veterans.
New Fire Truck
Council passed a bond ordinance which will provide for the acquisition of a fire truck for $560,000 and related issuance of city notes of $532,000 will finance part of this cost.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
Court House – If you are losing friends and family over an election , there is need for a mental health evaluation of all involved. Seek truth!
