STONE HARBOR – An ordinance that would require site plan review for any projects that convert commercial properties to residential use was on the Borough Council’s March 18 agenda for a second reading and a vote on adoption.

But following a public hearing in which those who spoke did so in opposition to the ordinance, the measure was defeated in the final council vote.

In February, council member Bunny Parzych, the council’s representative to the Planning Board, called the ordinance a “stopgap measure” that the council wanted to put in place until a special committee of the Planning Board completed its work reviewing what she termed a “conundrum.”

Parzych was referring to the zoning flexibility that allows parts of the business district to be developed as residential.

Calling the business district the “jewel” of Stone Harbor, Parzych said it needed protection from too much residential development. She admitted that residential use of property in Stone Harbor often provides the property owner with the best financial return; yet, she said, the council was concerned with preserving the business district, which is important to the character of the town.

Patrick Bridgeman, owner of motel properties in the borough, saw it differently. He spoke at the March meeting, calling the proposed ordinance an “arbitrary change to zoning.” Bridgeman said there were only nine properties located where the zoning flexibility would allow for conversion to residential use, “and I own four of them,” he said.

At the Feb. 18 council meeting the ordinance had received a 5-0 vote passing it on first reading, with council member Jennifer Gensemer abstaining. On the vote to adopt in March, the ordinance failed with 3 no votes and 2 yes votes, and with the same abstention.

The Planning Board will continue its deliberations, with council member Ken Biddick urging the property owners who would be impacted by a change in zoning to work with the board so their interests are protected as well as those of the borough.

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.