Condo Violations

Wildwoods condo owners get reprieve on code violations
By TRUDI GILFILLIANStaff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Friday, February 24, 2006
Updated: Friday, February 24, 2006
Press of Atlantic City

Condominium owners who recently received notices of violation about fire suppression and other code issues do not have to pay the fines listed in those notices, at least for the time being, attorney Glenn P. Callahan said Thursday.

Callahan, who represents the Joint Construction Office of the Wildwoods, or JCOW, said JCOW is “suspending (the fines) until further notice.”

The letters were sent to the owners of about 500 individual units in 79 island properties in Wildwood and North Wild-wood.

They stated that the properties listed should have been evaluated as R-2 residential properties, which are required to meet certain standards regarding fire-wall separation, fire-suppression systems and means of exit for occupants given the number of units. Instead, they were evaluated by JCOW as R-3 properties, which have different building standards.

JCOW has since filed suit in Superior Court asking a judge to determine who is responsible to bring the building up to code.

In addition to suspending the fines, Callahan said condominium owners do not have to meet any deadlines to appeal the notices. Initially, they had a limited amount of time from the receipt of the letters to challenge JCOW.

“No one has to file an appeal,” Callahan said.

The notices have worried property owners who said they have been unable to get more information from officials at JCOW.

The municipalities involved are also considering their responsibility in the violation cases.

Wildwood Crest Borough Commission discussed the matter in closed session Wednesday.

Borough Clerk Kevin Yecco said that, while the affected properties are not in Wildwood Crest, the borough, as part of JCOW, is involved and is also looking for answers.