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.