Houghtaling and Downey Legislation Propels Fort Monmouth

OCEAN TOWNSHIP – Legislation authored by Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey to issue additional alcoholic beverage licenses to municipalities located in Fort Monmouth, specifically Tinton Falls, Eatontown and Oceanport, was passed by the Assembly and Senate on Sunday. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.

“By allowing additional alcoholic beverage licenses to be distributed in our municipalities, we are bringing economic growth to Monmouth County after the loss of Fort Monmouth,” said Assemblyman Houghtaling. “It will promote small businesses, encourage tourism, and create jobs for our constituents.”

Under the bill, a license is to be issued without being designated for a site and remain inactive until the property upon which the license is to be sited is transferred from the government entity to a private entity. In addition, the bill prohibits the licenses from being transferred to a premises located outside of the boundaries of the project area until the authority overseeing, administering, and implementing the plan for the project area has been dissolved. Following the dissolution of the authority, the special licenses may be transferred for use in connection with any premises located within the host municipality.

“To put it simply, this piece of legislation is an opportunity for rapid economic development both in Monmouth County and in New Jersey,” said Assemblywoman Downey. “By rebuilding our closed military base, Fort Monmouth, and providing alcoholic beverage licenses to these areas, we will be revitalizing the 11th District.”

Under the current law, a municipality may issue one plenary retail consumption license, for bars and restaurants, for each 3,000 residents of its population. This bill provides that an increase in population resulting from residential development in a formerly federally owned or operated military installation would not be included in the calculation issued to new licenses.