Toms River Residents Fighting Heliport Proposal

A North Jersey man’s proposal to build a heliport on a vacant lot at the edge of Barnegat Bay in Toms River is meeting resistance from neighbors, who are concerned about noise and safety issues with helicopters coming and going from the site, according to reports.

Robert Grogan of Florham Park, who owns the property that sits just south of Route 37 behind the Aqua Blu restaurant, has proposed to build the heliport on the site of a vacant marina that sits near the Breezy Point community. Some of the community’s homes are within 100 feet of the proposed site.

During previous testimony before the Board of Adjustment, Grogan has said he would not use the heliport more than 25 times per year.

Neighbors have expressed concerns about danger to residents and those traveling the Route 37 bridge if a helicopter develops a problem and crashes trying to land at the heliport.

Vincent Zenna told Townsquare Media that there are 30 emergency heliports in the area already, as well as open fields used when an emergency landing is necessary.

The project has another hearing before the Board of Adjustment at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, in the Toms River Municipal Building.