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Vote On Trader's Cove Site Plan Scheduled For November 20
By Catherine Galioto
Concern over the number of boat slips and parking in a site plan for a township marina halted a vote at a recent township council meeting.
The township council was scheduled to vote on the site plan for Trader's Cove, an aging marina the township hopes a developer will rebuild, adding a museum and other park-like amenities.
But at its last meeting, the council heard comments from Save Barnegat Bay, whose leader, Willie DeCamp, said that given the size of the marina, a large number of parking spots would be required.
So large an area for parking is not good, DeCamp said, essentially creating a giant paved area in a spot that deserves more "green" elements. It's also next door to a wildlife preserve.
Would the council consider changing the plan to reduce the number of slips, DeCamp asked. It was something officials are looking into, and was part of a reason to delay a vote on the site plan for Trader's Cove.
The council will push back its vote nearly a month to its November 20 meeting. This will give it time to discuss thoughts on the plan from the public and environmental groups.
In its current form, the plan allows for a marina, maritime museum and park with amenities at the site, located at the end of Mantoloking Road, at the foot of the Mantoloking Bridge.
At the very least, the plan would prohibit the building of condominiums, single family homes, gas stations or major boat repair facilities at the cove, said Township Councilman Michael Thulen.
"It's basically what we've been talking about all along," Thulen said. The measure formalizes almost a year of discussion as to what specifically should be allowed and prohibited on the site, he said.
While the site plan offers specifics, it is up to the developer to decide the size of the boat slips. DeCamp said the slips, having no maximum size, could be detrimental, as they could take up space that could be used for residents to enjoy the waterfront.
However, council members said those specifics will come in the plans put forth by a developer, a step that will not come until much later in the process of redeveloping Trader's Cove.
A delay in the vote would be a chance to add those details, DeCamp argued. He said that at this stage, the guidelines can be created with a blank slate, and argued it's important to use this as an advantage, because down the line ,the process will simply be a response to what the developers are presenting. Instead, this is a chance for township officials to offer up their own ideas and shape what they want the site to be.
The land use board approved the details in a thick plan that is very specific, Thulen said, even offering recommendation for the placement of boat ramps.
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