Ocean City Seeks More Power to Deal With Abandoned Properties

Ocean City is taking the next step to beautify the gateway to the City.

City Council approved an ordinance on first reading Thursday night that gives the City more power to handle abandoned properties, noting three vacant gas stations on Ninth Street.

“The City has been attempting to get the owners of the three vacant gas stations near 9th Street and Bay Avenue to clean up the properties and maintain them in a safe and presentable condition,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in his letter posted on the City’s website last week. “Clearly the property owners have not cooperated as we would like.”

“The Exxon on Bay and Ninth has been dilapidated for about a year,” Councilman Pete Guinosso said.

All gas stations have been cited, according to City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson. Some tanks have been removed from beneath the Exxon station, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for cleaning up the site.

“Those properties are an eyesore,” Councilman Keith Hartzell said. “This is one of the better things you (the administration) have done.”

The proposed ordinance calls for a public officer, to be appointed by the mayor, to establish an abandoned properties list. That list would be compiled based on citizen input and the City’s own investigations.

Once established, the City will take inquiries from anyone interested in those properties. The owner will also be able to ask to have the property removed from the list and returned to their control.

The City’s rights to the property will include putting the property up for tax sale, sending it into foreclosure, steps to rehabilitate the property and taking action against the owner, among other actions.

Resident Susan Matthews praised the idea behind the ordinance, but added that the old Booker’s Restaurant on Ninth and Wesley should also be considered.

“The gas stations are neat and well-kept in comparison,” Matthews said. “People drive past the gas stations on Ninth Street, but they keep going to get to the Boardwalk. They drive past the gas stations, but there’s more foot traffic in this area, and this is what people see when they walk by.”

Councilman Michael DeVlieger said the City should take advantage of the ordinance to take action against properties before they go into bankruptcy.

Council passed the ordinance on first reading with a 6-0 vote. Council President Anthony Wilson was absent.

The public hearing and final reading is set for May 14.