Wildwood Crest Opposes Plan

Wildwood Crest opposes Lower condo plan
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Updated: Wednesday, December 28, 2005

WILDWOOD CREST-The borough has sent a letter to neighboring Lower Township's Zoning Board opposing a project that would replace the Bayview Inn restaurant with condominiums.

The letter, drafted by Borough Solicitor Doreen Corino on Dec. 22, states that Wildwood Crest is against changing the use of the restaurant site from a commercial operation to a R-4 residential zone.

Mayor Carl Groon said the change in use is out of character with the surrounding neighborhoods, which have primarily single-family homes, in both towns.

According to the letter, the borough "continues to have unresolved issues as to access to the site, sewer and water connections and service, wetlands buffer zones, access pieces of adjacent land and density with the proposed number of units."

Twenty-four units were proposed, but that number could change when the application is heard at the Zoning Board's meeting Jan. 5.

Groon said that, while the borough is limited in what it can do because the project is in another jurisdiction, someone from the borough will attend that meeting to express the borough's concerns.

"Our hope is that (the area) remains single-family homes," he said.

Groon added that an R-4 designation is far more dense than the current R-1 and R-2 zones around the restaurant.

Commissioner Don Cabrera said he has heard from residents along several streets, including on Toledo and Monterey avenues, who are unhappy with the proposed change.

The commission also considered hiring special counsel to protect the borough's interest in the project, but no action was taken.

In other business, William Kelly of North Wildwood put forward the winning $55,000 bid for a beach vending contract that runs from 2006-08.

Cabrera said the borough is not moving ahead with plans to add the sale of water or soft drinks for 2006 or the near future.

Cabrera wanted to include the sale of beverages in the vending contract, but Groon said he was uncomfortable rescinding the bids after the borough had already advertised for a contract that included only chair, flotation device and umbrella rentals.

The borough, Cabrera estimated, could possibly have made another $200,000 or more contracting for beverage sales on its beaches, but the issue appeared to be settled for now.

"It will not come out of my mouth ever again," Cabrera said, adding that he had been touting the benefits of beach vending for several years.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:

TGilfillian@pressofac.com