Community Corner
Coastalm Cottages a disappointment
July 3, 2013
Letter to the Editor
Find out what's happening in Ocean Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Re: Coastal Cottages – Further deteriation of what little orderly Planning
and Zoning the City had
Find out what's happening in Ocean Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Dear Editor:
Will our elected officials and our Planning and Zoning Board officials ever learn that the confusion and mess we are now in is a result of poor planning a few years back? Yes, you were given McMansions and massive Duplexes, however, we have limited land and it is not open acreage such as many towns and cities have on the mainland.
As a retired Planner, Professional Engineer and Attorney I agree with Marc Shuster 100%. As I read the material we will be getting smaller lots with typical size units not an attempt to have smaller units on smaller lots. In the instant case, it makes no sense. These changes will satisfy builders and developers and do no good for the citizens who own and live on the island.
To make matters even more difficult we have the comment from Councilman Antwan McClellan where-in the Councilman states “It’s a concept, so you try it. And the only way you make things better is by trying.” That concept or idea is great if you are creating a product not building homes on an island that already is over developed. Councilman, what happens when the concept fails as a result of poor zoning on the part of the City and flooding as part of nature? Will the project be torn down – I don’t think so? It will just be part of the failure on the part of Ocean City to properly zone and plan the City to improve the quality of life.
Good planning and orderly development would never include such a ridiculous concept.
In closing let me remind you, that the developers and builders got what they wanted years ago – so here we go again. Mayor and Council I suggest you listen to Marc Shuster he is a Professional Planner and also a member of the Ocean City Planning Board. In a few words he has stated the problem correctly.
Very truly yours,
Louis C. Ripa, J.D., B.S.C.E.
2012 Glenwood Drive
Ocean City, New Jersey 08226-2613
Tel. 1-609-398-2184
Cell 1-609-204-6107
