The most heated exchange of the evening was sparked by a resident’s plea for a moratorium on new condo developments. The resident, Maddie Fallon, articulated a sentiment shared by many in the community when she stated, “the city is losing a lot of that spark, a lot of what makes the city special because there’s all of these very bland, ugly luxury condo buildings being put up.” This sentiment was met with acknowledgment from a council member who reflected on the city’s original redevelopment plan from 2002, which had envisioned over 3,400 units along the waterfront. The council member expressed a degree of relief that the current plans would see fewer than 2,000 units but lamented the loss of the city’s historic character and the impact of gentrification on long-time residents.

Some residents believe more development is necessary, while others fear it could further dilute the city’s distinctive character.

In parallel to these discussions, the council addressed a variety of community-focused topics. The meeting saw the presentation of a special event application for the Market Street annual coat giveaway, scheduled for the upcoming Saturday. The council also highlighted past successful events such as the Halloween trunk or treat, which drew around a thousand attendees, and announced upcoming holiday activities. A council member emphasized the community aspect of these events, including a Christmas tree lighting and a Kwanza celebration.

Security concerns were also on the agenda, with a resident from Monroe Towers expressing gratitude for the council’s ongoing collaboration on security issues within her building. The resident highlighted the challenges posed by unauthorized individuals entering the premises, particularly during the winter months, and inquired about progress on security measures for large apartment buildings. The council responded by mentioning that an ordinance related to security for such complexes was in draft stages, with practices from other towns under review.

In the realm of business, local entrepreneur Lewis Morales voiced concerns about the declining foot traffic in Asbury Park, urging the council to support initiatives that could draw more visitors to town. Morales suggested a social media campaign, emphasizing the role of platforms like Instagram in attracting potential customers. The council acknowledged the issue and pointed to the benefits of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEE), which offers grants and assistance to businesses that sign up. The council member encouraged Morales to advocate for other businesses to join the UEE, which could help address some of the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs.

The meeting also touched on ongoing construction projects, with a resident raising concerns about a development project by Starfield on the vacant lot between 7th and 8th Avenues. The resident expressed frustration over the street widening project, which had stalled over the summer, causing parking difficulties for residents. The council acknowledged the issue and noted that the city manager would follow up with the developer to address the street reopening and improve communication with residents.

Amidst these discussions, the council proceeded with formal proceedings, which included the approval of meeting minutes and a consent agenda that consolidated multiple resolutions for approval. Although most resolutions were passed collectively, some prompted more detailed debate, particularly those related to bond resolutions for redevelopment projects. Questions arose regarding the financing and implications of these projects, with council members expressing varying opinions on the necessity and financial impact of certain agreements.

The meeting concluded with the introduction of an ordinance amending regulations concerning smoking and littering on public beaches and boardwalks to align with state law. A public hearing was also held on an ordinance related to a long-term tax exemption for a redevelopment project on Asbury Avenue, which included provisions for affordable housing. The public comment period allowed residents to engage on these topics, with the council emphasizing the community-oriented goals of the redevelopment project.