Zoning Change

Wildwood zoning changes may draw more high-rise devleopments
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Saturday, April 29, 2006
Updated: Saturday, April 29, 2006

WILDWOOD — City Commission this week approved a series of changes to its land-use ordinance, two years after an initial round of substantial changes.

The lengthy ordinance contains some minor changes related to setbacks and similar zoning issues, while others are designed to draw more high-rise hotel construction to the resort. A handful of high rise hotels, most about 25-stories, have already been approved.

Among the major changes is an adjustment to the permitted floor-area ratio, which refers to the amount of floor space for a given lot.

Under the city's existing regulations, the floor area ratio was six, but under the new rules it will increase to 10.

That means a 50,000 square feet lot which is allowed 300,000 square feet in floor area under current city rules could increase the amount of floor area to 500,000 square feet.

In addition, high-rise hotels will now be considered a permitted use as opposed to a conditional use in the city's hotel/motel zone, which extends from Ocean to Atlantic avenues south of Lincoln Avenue.

Now, developers will need fewer variances when they come before the city Zoning Board. The ordinance will take effect May 23.

East Spencer Avenue property owner Mike Dellavella spoke against the ordinance, which he said would only add to the city's density.

Resident Al Brannen said the city was chasing residents out of town while making life easier for developers.

“It seems like the city of Wildwood is bending over backwards for developers,” he said.

Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said the city was doing nothing of the sort.

The ordinance, he said, actually reduces density, and he added the changes were recommended by the Planning and Zoning boards.

Troiano said tax relief will come in the form of the high-rise hotels, which are expected to yield $8 billion worth of ratables in the next several years.

Brannen disputed the effect the new construction would have, but Troiano said he was not prepared to make budget cuts that would hamper city services.

“I'm not going to cut half of our work force to a point we don't have coverage,” he said.

Another resident asked about the poor condition of the Boardwalk, and Troiano said the famous boards would be undergoing a major renovation starting this fall.

“The Boardwalk is in deplorable condition,” he said.

Troiano said a select Brazilian hardwood, grown in tree farms as opposed to the rainforest, was going to be used to build a Boardwalk that would last and require less maintenance similar to Atlantic City's Boardwalk.

Troiano said vehicle traffic on the Boardwalk is behind much of the wear and tear. The Boardwalk has a weight limit of 5,000 pounds, but drivers with vehicles over that weight often try to make their way up the boards.

“We've had boards snap and buckle under the weight,” he said.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:TGilfillian@pressofac.com