New Mini Golf Course Seeks Ocean City Planning Board Approval

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Planning Board this week will hear a proposal for a new miniature golf course on 34th Street and Simpson Avenue.

Initially reported by the Ocean City Sentinel, the plans would demolish the vacant Bank of America building at 3332-46 Simpson Ave., subdivide the lot into two lots and construct the mini golf course, along with a clubhouse, on one of the new subdivided lots. There are no plans for the other new lot, according to Planning Board documents.

The applicant is Mark Benevento, a local businessman with a long history of constructing mini golf courses at the Jersey Shore.

The lot is in the 34th Street Gateway Zone, which allows for open air mini golf courses but prohibits indoor courses.

Several variances are requested for front yard setbacks and for a waterfall feature on the course, as the proposed setback for it is significantly less than what is required.

If approved, it would be the second approved course on 34th Street this year. This past spring, the Planning Board approved a mini golf course at the former Blitz's Market location.

The Planning Board will next meet Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.