Ocean Zoning Board Examines Digital Billboard Proposal
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Meeting Type:
Zoning Board
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Meeting Date:
07/18/2024
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Recording Published:
07/20/2024
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Duration:
144 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Ocean (Monmouth County)
- Meeting Overview:
The Ocean Zoning Board meeting recently addressed several proposals, with the most attention-grabbing topic being an application for a multi-message digital billboard on Highway 35. IAT Services LLC proposed the 75-foot-tall billboard featuring a 14 by 48-foot face, which would change copy every 8 seconds using LED technology. The billboard’s height was determined to keep it out of view of the existing building on the property and not obstruct nearby signage. The board scrutinized the proposal’s compliance with local ordinances, its potential visual impact, and the technological aspects designed to minimize light spillage into the surrounding area.
The meeting delved into the technical details of the proposed billboard, with a focus on the LED technology’s capabilities, including adjustable brightness levels and light spillage mitigation. Additionally, videos from the manufacturer, Watchfire, were presented to demonstrate the billboard’s light control features. The board requested digital copies of these videos to further assess the impact on the community.
The public service component of the billboard was also discussed; the township of Ocean would be able to display messages like silver alerts or amber alerts, with emergency alerts taking precedence. The discussion included the logistics of message control and monitoring, the billboard’s backup system, and its potential effects on the surrounding environment, including nearby residences.
Other topics of interest from the meeting included an application to convert a detached garage into a kosher kitchen and storage area, which raised questions among the board and the public regarding the necessity and potential uses of the kitchen and bathroom additions. Concerns were expressed about the structure’s conformity and whether it could be repurposed for living or commercial purposes. The homeowner was questioned about their adherence to Orthodox practices in relation to the proposed kosher kitchen and the necessary variances for the non-conforming structure.
Another case involved a variance request for a 12 by 16-foot prefab detached garage storage shed on Calvin Terrace. The board members suggested relocating the shed behind a fence, which would still necessitate a variance but was deemed a more suitable location. Ultimately, the board granted the variance for the rear yard setback and a front yard setback that complied with the existing fence line.
In addition to these discussions, a proposal for a two-story addition, a covered front porch, and other changes to a property on Dwight Drive was presented. The applicant’s professional planner explained the proposed changes, while the board and public addressed concerns related to impervious coverage and stormwater management. A neighbor mistakenly raised objections about the height and proximity of the building, later clarified as pertaining to a different application that had been postponed.
John P. Napolitani
Zoning Board Officials:
Shawanda Beale, John Fuller, Lisa Littman, Gino Dellomo, Richard Van Wagner, Jason Chmura, Victor Ashkenazi, Gitta Kaplan, Claire Vilanova (Secretary to Zoning Board of Adjustment), Colleen Mayer (Planning Administrator)
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Meeting Type:
Zoning Board
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Meeting Date:
07/18/2024
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Recording Published:
07/20/2024
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Duration:
144 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Ocean (Monmouth County)
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