The Barnegat Light municipal meeting room was packed with residents concerned about preserving the borough’s character by preventing the construction of future hotels or motels. However, the governing body was split 3-3 on an ordinance that would have restricted such development, with Mayor Kirk Larson absent.
During the caucus session preceding the regular meeting on August 14, Councilwoman Dorothy Reynolds read an open letter proposing a change to the master plan to remove language that allows for hotels and motels.
“Barnegat Light is often referred to as a special place, distinct from other towns on the Island,” Reynolds began. “It was established as a quiet, residential fishing village.”
She emphasized that decisions made by officials should not be influenced by financial gain, friendships, or politics, but should instead focus on what is best for the borough, its property values, natural beauty, and future direction. Reynolds invoked the late Aaron Blumberg, a former president of the Barnegat Light Taxpayers Association, fire company volunteer, and board member of the animal shelter, who often reminded her that “change occurs in little pieces,” urging town leaders to remain vigilant to prevent the town from becoming unrecognizable.
Reynolds proposed removing hotels and motels as a permitted land use while protecting existing ones through a grandfather provision.
After the meeting, Reynolds explained that the Lighthouse Marina on Sixth Street is currently for sale—listed at $17.5 million in January with Joy Luedtke Real Estate. The 44-slip marina, situated on 4.6 acres in the marine commercial zone, offers “endless opportunities,” and developers are rumored to have discussed the possibility of building a hotel there.
Municipal Attorney Terry Brady noted that the proposed ordinance could be read by title and then sent to the planning board for review and recommendation in line with the borough’s master plan.
Brady explained that the master plan is a policy document guiding the town’s vision and direction, which must be reexamined and updated every 10 years (last done in 2018). The zoning code, on the other hand, is a set of laws governing the town. Planning board applications that do not comply with zoning can still be approved with variances. However, proposed legislation related to zoning would likely not receive planning board approval if it conflicts with the master plan.
While the council is not required to accept the planning board’s recommendation, acting against it could impact the ordinance’s validity if challenged in court, Brady noted. He advised the council to consider all implications, emphasizing that while the governing body has ultimate authority on zoning, its actions must be based on sound planning.
To support her proposal, Reynolds argued that large lodging facilities would negatively impact the borough by increasing traffic, noise, activity, strain on infrastructure, and demands on volunteer services.
“Everybody agrees with Dottie Reynolds,” said Barnegat Light Taxpayers Association President Rich Brodman.
Later, borough resident and Pine Barrens advocate Bob Birdsall suggested forming a heritage committee to advise the planning board on whether proposed developments align with the town’s culture and heritage.
With offshore wind farms on the horizon, Birdsall wondered, “What’s next, boardwalks?”
When it came time for the official vote, Council President Michael Spark and Councilwomen Reynolds and Mary Ellen Foley voted in favor, while Councilmen Ed Wellington, James Gutowski, and Frank Mikuletsky voted against. The ordinance did not pass.
The planning board meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. if there is business on the agenda. Residents interested in initiating a dialogue with the planning board were advised to send a written request to planning and zoning board secretary Cece Hodgson.
After the meeting, seasonal resident Madeline Pantzer reconsidered her initial position on the matter.
“The master plan really limits what can be developed on land zoned marine-commercial,” she said, noting that it was written under a previous mayor and does not favor marine-commercial interests.
As written, hotels are limited in height to 30 feet, so Pantzer reasoned that the only way to build higher would be by applying for variances.
“There’s no reason to open the plan because it’s already limited enough,” she said. “Instead, we should let the planning board know that if they grant any variances, not only will we show up, but we’ve started a fund to sue them.”
In response to the tie vote, Pantzer initially felt anger toward those representing the marine-commercial zone but later concluded that leaving the master plan as is might be the better option. She warned that once “you’ve opened a can of worms,” the plan could become even more pro-development.
“What you want and what you end up with can be two very different things,” she said.
In other news during the regular meeting, Chief Financial Officer Kathleen Flanagan reported that a $2.1 million bond was sold on the open market at a 4.25% interest rate, the best rate the borough’s auditors and financial advisors had seen in six months.
The annual audit came back clean this year, with no findings and no corrective action required.
The borough has hired a new tax assessor, Ed Seeger Jr., who also serves Lacey Township and Tuckerton borough. “I’m looking forward to serving the taxpayers of Barnegat Light,” he said.
Councilmen Mikuletsky and Wellington met with Ocean County emergency management personnel last week to review storm preparedness plans, equipment, and protocols. The borough’s plans must be updated every two years, Wellington added.
Consultants have been engaged, and preliminary discussions are underway, according to Wellington. The plan is broad, encompassing “tornadoes to terrorism,” and addresses various situational scenarios. Once approved at the county and state level, the town would be eligible for federal recovery funding in the event of an emergency.
In beach patrol news, 1st Lt. John Ross and 2nd Lt. Bob Selfridge are stepping in as acting beach patrol captains while Capt. John Schulze is on medical leave.
In the past month, guards performed 18 rescues and 12 assists, Councilwoman Reynolds reported, noting that rip currents have been a significant issue this summer.
Bob Preston, president of the Friends of Barnegat Light Beach Patrol, said this year’s Ocean Mile Swim was the best in its 13-year history, with record numbers of participants, volunteers, and spectators. Even better, $10,000 was raised for the scholarship program for college-bound lifeguards in financial need.
“That was always a dream of mine,” Preston said, “to be able to bring this organization to a point where we could offer scholarships.”
In public works, Councilman Wellington reported that aside from the usual summer tasks—cleaning beach pathways and cutting grass—the big project currently consuming much of their labor is the renovation of the annex building, which houses the post office.
The east wall has been re-shingled, and the crew is now working on the south wall, gradually making their way around the building. “That’s going to be an ongoing project for the next couple of months for sure,” he added.
The shingles being used are pre-stained for weatherproofing, which helps prevent warping over time, Wellington said.
Regarding costs, Wellington noted that while the shingles are expensive, the town is saving on labor by using an in-house carpenter and skilled craftsmen, paying only for materials. Had the work gone out to bid, the cost could have been nearly double.
— Victoria Ford
For inquiries, contact victoria@thesandpaper.net
Source: thesandpaper.net