{"id":3128,"date":"2019-05-18T00:54:35","date_gmt":"2019-05-18T00:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/?p=3128"},"modified":"2023-06-18T11:36:03","modified_gmt":"2023-06-18T11:36:03","slug":"prelim-approval-for-development-21-homes-slated-for-car-dealership-parcel-fit-asks-about-city-buying-or-condemning-lot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/prelim-approval-for-development-21-homes-slated-for-car-dealership-parcel-fit-asks-about-city-buying-or-condemning-lot\/","title":{"rendered":"Prelim Approval for Development-   21 homes slated for car dealership parcel; FIT asks about city buying or condemning lot"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"blox-html-container\" class=\"venue-app app-editorial url-default depth-3 ads-preview-false theme-none ui-theme-default grid-300_4-4-4 blox-flag-featured blox-asset news-local news local prelim-approval-for-development article_75e9fa64-717b-11e9-ba22-b3d3c93a5133-html sic- \">\n<div id=\"blox-wrapper\" class=\"blox-transparency container_12\">\n<div id=\"blox-container\" class=\"container_12\">\n<div id=\"blox-left-col\" class=\"grid_8 \">\n<div id=\"blox-story\" class=\"blox-content hnews hentry item \">\n<div id=\"blox-story-frame\" class=\"hide hnews hentry item article-pad-rail\">\n<div id=\"blox-story-media\" class=\"p402_hide managed-service\">\n<div class=\"story-media-item managed-service\">\n<div id=\"blox-story-photo-container\" class=\"managed-service\">\n<div id=\"instantGallery\" class=\"instant-gallery-app\">\n<div class=\"instant-gallery\">\n<div class=\"frame\">\n<p><a title=\"A 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ocsentinel.com\/news\/local\/prelim-approval-for-development\/article_75e9fa64-717b-11e9-ba22-b3d3c93a5133.html?mode=image&amp;photo=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"horizontal\" src=\"https:\/\/bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com\/ocsentinel.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/7\/55\/7555ff0c-717c-11e9-b78c-776cbb9296c5\/5cd2b04beaaef.image.jpg?resize=300%2C188\" alt=\"A 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues\" width=\"300\" data-height=\"225\" data-width=\"360\" \/> <\/a><\/p>\n<h3>A 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Architects plans for a 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues where the former Ocean City Chevrolet dealership used to be. Ocean City tried to buy the lot from the owners for $9 million to use for other purposes, but a petition drive stopped the purchase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"blox-story-text\" class=\"entry-content\">\n<div id=\"paging_container\" class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>OCEAN CITY \u2013 The Planning Board on May 1 gave preliminary approval for a 21-unit housing subdivision on the former Ocean City Chevrolet lots the city wanted to buy for $9 million.<\/p>\n<p>The project encompasses an entire block the city tried to purchase for $9 million last September. Mayor Jay Gillian and city council proposed several possible uses for the project, including green space, recreation, or a new public safety building.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tncms-restricted-notice hide\">\n<div id=\"subscription-notice\" class=\"ui-widget ui-widget-content ui-corner-all \">\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ocsentinel.com\/content\/tncms\/live\/#\" name=\"subscription-notice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"explaination\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Fairness in Taxes (FIT), a taxpayer watchdog group, cited the $9 million sales price as too high, and started a petition drive to halt the sale and put the property sale to a public vote. The petition drive proved ultimately successful, and after the signatures were verified, the city repealed the property\u2019s sale, ending the deal with Klause Enterprises.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>The tract consists of five separate lots totaling 85,688 square feet, or 1.9 acres: 1601-1643 Simpson Ave., 1620, 1628-38, 1640 and 1644-46 Haven Ave.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Harry and Jerry Klause of Klause Enterprises LLC own the lots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Avery Teitler, attorney for Klause Enterprises, said the applicants were seeking a preliminary major subdivision approval, preliminary major site plan approval, and conditional use variance to subdivide the existing property into 21 lots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>He said though the lots will be varying sizes, they will be at least 30 feet by 115 feet. On each lot the applicants are proposing to construct conforming single-family dwellings. Single-family dwellings are conditionally permitted in the Drive In Business Zone, Teitler said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Teitler said the project missed adding a 22nd lot by a half foot, so a larger home will be constructed on the end parcel at the corner of Simpson Avenue and 16th Street.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Project engineer Jason Sciullo of Sciullo Engineering Services, LLC said in addition to the single-family homes, a private driveway will run through the middle of the development, giving homes rear access.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Seven homes will be built facing Haven Avenue, while 14 homes will be built along Simpson Avenue, according to the plans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Since the property is mostly paved car lot, Sciullo said green space will be installed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>He said public sewer, water and gas will run underground through the new alley and \u201ccause minimal impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Project architect Christopher Halliday said the variety of coastal home styles enhances the area and gives the neighborhood character.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cEach home was designed to be unique from the neighboring homes,\u201d Halliday said. \u201cWe did this so the streetscape will feel like a neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Halliday said each home is designed with two stories. He noted the intention of the various designs was to \u201ccreate a coastal aesthetically pleasing neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Planning Board Engineer Randall Scheule said a homeowner\u2019s association will maintain the proposed private driveway and access easement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>The plans will be revised to address the Ocean City Police Department\u2019s Traffic Safety Unit\u2019s recommendation for a one-way driveway northbound.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Scheule said the proposed development will create additional on-street parking spaces, and that the applicant will coordinate the location of those spaces with the police department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Plans have been revised to provide full curb replacement and sidewalk on both street frontages, Scheule said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Planning Board Engineer David Scheidegg said there\u2019s a street opening moratorium on 16th Street until May 2021.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Residents questioned the development\u2019s impact on flooding and parking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Bernardine McLaughlin of West Avenue, said she appreciates the new alleyway in the proposed development as it would alleviate street parking. McLaughlin said she was concerned the development would take overflow parking away from the adjacent community center.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cIn the summer when we have swim meets there\u2019s cars all over the place. Since the lot was empty the public has been able to use that, but that\u2019s going away,\u201d McLaughlin said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>McLaughlin said another concern was habitual flooding at 16th Street and Haven Avenue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cI know they\u2019re saying that they\u2019re putting the grading in. To me that means more water is going to go into the street and the street already floods,\u201d McLaughlin said. \u201cI know you\u2019re saying engineering-wise it\u2019s not supposed to affect the flooding. If, after the fact it does, is there any way to get some relief from the city to help with any flooding?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Planning Board Chairman John Loeper said flood mediation falls under the city\u2019s auspices, not the Planning Board. He said the plan is \u201ctotally conforming to the ordinance standard of what we have today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Theresa McHale of West Avenue said the city spent a tremendous amount of money on long-range plans for flood mediation. She noted that plans call for work around 16th Street and the moratorium against underground work on the same street until 2021.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a reason why the city did this long-range plan to alleviate flooding and it\u2019s getting worse. This to me is going to make it even worse,\u201d McHale said. \u201cTo me it sounds like we are contradicting everything that we\u2019re doing to try and mediate the flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Loeper said the lot is currently concrete, but plans include pervious surfaces such as grass.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s going from total concrete to something that absorbs, according to the ordinance,\u201d Loeper said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>David Breeden of Victoria Lane and FIT vice president, said council passed an ordinance that acquires the property through either sale or condemnation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cThe city passed an ordinance we\u2019re going to either buy or condemn. Has the city reached out to the property owners to offer a purchase price? Has the city reached out to the property owners that they\u2019re going to condemn? And if the city reaches out to them tomorrow and says we\u2019re condemning, what happens to the application?\u201d Breeden said. \u201cThe city passed a law. Laws have to be followed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>The board voted unanimously 6-0 to grant preliminary approval. The applicants would have to address items from the city planner and engineer and bring the application back for final approval.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Loeper suggested the applicants should use pavers instead of concrete.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cIf the applicant will would move forward with red block pavers we would have more impervious surface to absorb water on the property,\u201d Loeper said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>Asked if there\u2019s still a possibility Klause Enterprises LLC could strike a deal to sell the property to the city, Teitler said \u201cthere\u2019s always a possibility\u201d the city can buy the property.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"encrypted-content\">\n<p>\u201cI wasn\u2019t involved in any negotiations of the city,\u201d Teitler said, adding there aren\u2019t any plans to purchase it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues Architects plans for a 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues where the former Ocean City Chevrolet dealership used to be. Ocean City tried to buy the lot from the owners for $9 million to use for other purposes, but a petition drive stopped the purchase. OCEAN &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"ast-button\" href=\"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/prelim-approval-for-development-21-homes-slated-for-car-dealership-parcel-fit-asks-about-city-buying-or-condemning-lot\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Prelim Approval for Development-   21 homes slated for car dealership parcel; FIT asks about city buying or condemning lot<\/span> Read More \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[90],"spectra_custom_meta":{"_edit_lock":["1630267752:3"],"_edit_last":["3"],"_wp_page_template":["default"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["69"],"site-sidebar-layout":["default"],"site-content-layout":["default"],"theme-transparent-header-meta":["default"],"stick-header-meta":["default"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:263:\".uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-desktop) !important}@media (max-width: 976px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-tablet) !important}}@media (max-width: 767px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-mobile) !important}}\n\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:2:{i:0;s:14:\"core\/tag-cloud\";i:1;s:11:\"core\/search\";}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:0;s:11:\"uag_version\";s:10:\"1705434829\";s:6:\"gfonts\";a:0:{}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"],"rank_math_primary_category":["69"],"rank_math_news_sitemap_robots":["index"],"rank_math_robots":["a:1:{i:0;s:5:\"index\";}"],"rank_math_analytic_object_id":["67"],"rank_math_og_content_image":["a:2:{s:5:\"check\";s:32:\"43525a071096e1c4c0b07cd9623cf53d\";s:6:\"images\";a:0:{}}"],"rank_math_internal_links_processed":["1"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"OC FIT GUY","author_link":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/author\/meltaylor\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues Architects plans for a 21-home development between Haven and Simpson Avenues where the former Ocean City Chevrolet dealership used to be. Ocean City tried to buy the lot from the owners for $9 million to use for other purposes, but a petition drive stopped the purchase. OCEAN&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3128"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3128"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3128\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairnessintaxes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}