13:30The redevelopment project, presented by APW Redeveloper LLC and Asbury Partners LLC, proposes transforming Block 3801, Lot 1.02, on Asbury Avenue into a mixed-use space with three buildings. The plan includes a five-story condominium building along Asbury Avenue, a four-story string of townhouses on Cookman Avenue, and a three-story structure at the site’s tip. This reimagined design results from a reduction in the project’s density compared to initial plans from two years prior. The new layout features a combination of residential and commercial spaces, adhering to the city’s Redevelopment plan by maintaining structures below the maximum height limits.

The project’s layout considers environmental and community concerns, particularly flooding, as the triangular site partially falls within a flood hazard area. To address this, the development will include a driveway at a higher elevation compliant with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection dry access rules. The development also plans to offer 125 parking spaces, exceeding the required 101 spaces, and includes provisions for electric vehicle (EV) parking.

Architectural aspects of the project were detailed, emphasizing compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. The five-story condominium building will feature 50 residential units, designed to capitalize on views of the ocean and Wesley Lake, with balconies and a rooftop amenity deck. The townhouse design incorporates garages at the rear to maintain an appealing streetscape along Cookman Avenue. The development will use materials like beige brick and fiber cement shingles to blend with existing structures, and sustainability is a focus, with provisions for EV charging and dark sky compliant lighting.

The council also addressed concerns about pedestrian accessibility and environmental impacts. A commitment was made to widen sidewalks on Cookman Avenue to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. There were discussions about integrating more greenery into the project, such as a rain garden and permeable pavement for effective stormwater management.

07:54In a separate discussion, the council listened to updates from the city’s Waterfront Redevelopment Attorney, Joe Maraziti, regarding the use of a $20 million grant from the Boardwalk Preservation Fund. This grant includes $7 million for boardwalk improvements and $13 million for renovations to the Paramount Theater. Maraziti detailed ongoing negotiations with Madison Asbury Retail to address the theater’s structural integrity and water-tightness. The project is set to take a phased approach, starting with a 90-day assessment by two architectural firms, with all work needing completion by December 2026 to meet federal funding stipulations.

The meeting also featured a presentation on a proposed mixed-use building at the triangle point of the site. This project includes 5,100 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and eight residential units above. The design, influenced by the property’s shape, opts for a contemporary style over a traditional layout. Parking provisions include 16 spaces for residents, with infrastructure for EV charging.

As the meeting progressed, various community concerns were addressed, including traffic impact, sidewalk dimensions, and the project’s height relative to existing structures. The council reassured attendees that the project complies with the Redevelopment plan, which accommodates heights up to eight stories. Concerns about the adequacy of EV parking for residents and potential public misuse were also discussed, with plans for a landscape buffer to protect pedestrians from vehicle headlights.

01:02:29The meeting concluded with the approval of routine matters, such as budget revisions and community event contracts. A notable resolution involved accepting a grant for a summer public safety initiative. The council also adopted an ordinance amending beach regulations, focusing on fines for tents on the beach, concluding the session without extensive public discussion.