Hedge Proposal, 3 Others Approved By Ocean City Council

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Council unanimously approved four pieces of legislation at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22, at City Hall.

Council approved a proposal that removes hedges from part of a city ordinance that limits heights to four feet above ground level. That portion of the ordinance still applies to fences and walls, except that fences may be increased to six feet within the building lines or along the property line if the adjacent property owner agrees.

During the public hearing on the proposal, resident David Hayes argued that no other towns have unlimited hedge heights. He also argued that it could present a public safety hazard for firefighters attempting to get to a house fire when houses are “within five feet of inch and they have 30-foot hedges.”

He argued that non-conforming hedges aren’t prevalent around town. Even if they are, Marie Hayes argued that changing the legislation because people don’t follow the rules encourages bad behavior.

“I don’t think it’s a safety issue,” resident Robert Foreman countered. “The city has a hard time enforcing hedge ordinances. I support this proposal.”

The proposal passed council with a 7-0 vote. A list of all the proposed changes included in the ordinance can be found here.

Council also unanimously passed a proposed ordinance to accept the gift of land from from Ocean City residents John D. Leahy and Ann M. Leahy. They own a home on the 5500 block of Central Avenue, and they also own property on the oceanward side of the bulkhead in that area. They are looking to give the land on the oceanward side of the bulkhead — which is already subject to a beach easement in favor of the city — to the city for no cost.

Council approved a bond ordinance to allocate $5,700,500 and authorize the borrowing of $5,415,475 in bonds or notes for various improvement projects. This would include $285,025 for several down payments. A breakdown of the ordinance is as follows:

• Improvements to the beachfront, including but not limited to a beachfront nourishment project, dune maintenance and ADA access improvements: $750,000, with $712,500 to be borrowed;
• LED lighting improvements, boiler upgrades and replacements, various general HVAC, window door and lighting repairs and improvements at various public buildings, as well as improvements and upgrades to the Public Works Department's carbon monoxide system, the HVAC at the Civic Center, and Humane Society and Art Center repairs: $1,082,500, with $1,028,375 to be borrowed;
• Repairs to the Community Center pool, bleacher replacements, LED lighting at Carey Field, golf course upgrades, citywide landscaping and fencing, and general improvements to various public areas and other recreational facilities: $1,385,000, with $1,315,750 to be borrowed;
• Acquisition of public vehicles, including but not limited to, 4x4 pickup/beach trucks, a Heavy Duty Dump Truck, Load and Park vehicles, a wheel loader, two ambulances, fire and police SUVs, and vehicle rehab and related costs: $1,530,000, with $1,453,500 to be borrowed;
• Acquisition of equipment, including but not limited to, Music Pier and Aquatic Fitness Center equipment, as well as various safety equipment for fire, police and beach patrol operations and other various departmental equipment: $373,000, with $345,350 to be borrowed; and
• Radio upgrades for the fire department and general communications/IT equipment citywide: $580,000, with $551,000 to be borrowed.

Finally, the road leading to “Site 83” now has a name: Haul Road. Council approved the name of the road that connects the site to Roosevelt Boulevard in order to carve out the 1.94 acre piece of land used for the road from the large block of land it is part of. Doing so minimizes permit fees associated with approval of the road by the regulatory agencies currently reviewing the city's dredging permit.

Patch file photo