The council meeting began with a detailed presentation by Jennifer Phillip Smith, an attorney with Gibbons PC, on behalf of Asbury Partners. The proposed redevelopment project on block 4306 Lots 1 through 8 includes the construction of 45 townhome units, featuring both three-story and four-story buildings. Frank Minini, the project architect, presented 3D images and perspectives of the proposed townhomes, highlighting the design and revisions made in response to comments from the Technical Review Committee (TRC) and planning staff.

Council member Yvonne Clayton raised questions about the number of street parking spots, which Bob Curley, the site engineer, confirmed as three. Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn inquired about the uniformity of the building heights and square footage. Minini clarified that the three-story buildings would be 20 feet wide, while the four-story buildings would vary in width, with unit sizes ranging from approximately 1,600 to 2,460 square feet. The council’s discussion also covered sustainability aspects of the project, such as LED lighting and water detention features, as well as the landscaping plans and the number of bedrooms in the units.

Mayor John Moor, who had been absent for a period, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception on his return to the council. During the public participation segment, resident Gregory V addressed the council with concerns about noise disturbances from a local establishment, prompting council members to encourage continued reporting of the disturbances to facilitate community-led resolution.

Mike Czor, another resident, sought clarification on a PILOT program for a waterfront development project and expressed design concerns regarding the steps of the units leading to the sidewalk. The council explained that the PILOT was mandatory for such developments and advised Czor to bring his design concerns to the planning board meeting.

Polly Shila of the Asbury Park and Police Streets Coalition questioned the city’s resolution on complete streets and the complete streets checklist. The council members elaborated on the city’s commitment to pedestrian and bicycle safety and discussed the Infrastructure Component Report for the Waterfront Redevelopment area, which included a debate about the requirement for pedestrian walkways and the potential for future amendments to the ordinance.

A resolution to authorize a Professional Services contract for state police accreditation maintenance sparked a separate debate regarding the disparity in costs for physicals across different departments. Concerns were raised about the fairness and necessity of the varied pricing. The council decided to table the resolution until these issues could be addressed in a subsequent meeting.

The council also approved resolutions related to fiber optic network repair services, competitive contracting for an electric scooter share program, and the purchase and installation of playground equipment for the Second Avenue beachfront area. In addition, appointments were made to the rent leveling board, and two ordinances were introduced for public hearing set for February 14, 2024, which would address zoning board adjustments and business license fees.