Ocean City Council to Take More Time on Coastal Cottages, Street Performer Legislation

Ocean City, NJ -- Ocean City Council will take more time to consider two ordinances, one of which will have to be re-introduced altogether.

A proposed ordinance calling for the City to take a pause on the Coastal Cottages concept was tabled until the April 14 meeting, so that proper notification can be sent to all impacted residents.

Proposed regulations concerning street performers. was scrapped altogether so that the City could get more input from those impacted, including students and Boardwalk Merchants.

Both actions were taken during City Council’s meeting on March 24.

City Council let the proposed ordinance die at the table after hearing input from multiple residents, including students who perform on the boardwalk for some extra money in the summer.

The proposed ordinance had designated the boardwalk, between 5th and 6th streets, along the railing as the area in which to perform, and sets performance hours as between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. and midnight on Friday and Saturday; and noon and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

It also required performers to obtain a permit for $50 and no more than $100 for a group, with a $25 replacement fee.

“Fifty dollars for a permit is a lot for me, and I don’t understand why we all have to play at one end,” Ocean City High School freshman Andrew Leonetti said. “I don’t play for money. I play because it’s fun, and people like it and encourage me to keep playing.”

“I’m in a band and I’m opposed to this ordinance,” 14-year-old Ricky Hardin said. “In most places, you pay people to entertain you. Here, we’ll have to pay you to entertain.”

He said that when they go up on the boardwalk, they perform and families are having fun and enjoying themselves.

Businessman Hank Glaser spoke in support of the proposal.

“I have great sympathy for the young people,” Glaser said. “The problem is how we regulate the boardwalk. You have given a lot of time and consideration to this and this looks like the best solution.”

Mayor Jay Gillian clarified a comment he made at the March 10 meeting concerning a performer that made $1,000 on the boardwalk.

“I was talking about one person who came in from Atlantic City and made $1,000 a night,” Gillian said.

He then said anytime kids are affected, “it hits me.” He said the City would put together a group to scrutinize the issue more closely.

Legislation died at the table Thursday night, and the process will begin from scratch.