The Survey - Thanks for your patience. The survey results are below. Respondents' comments will be added soon. Please send your comments regarding the CAFRA application directly to the DEP: Kevin J. Broderick, NJ Dept of Environmental Protection, Land Use Regulation Program, PO Box 439, 501 E. State St., Trenton, NJ 08625-0439

Restore Radio’s Questionnaire on AP Redevelopment  - 88.1 FM 8 – 10 PM Thurs

The following questions are intended to measure how area residents feel about the plans for Asbury Park’s Waterfront Redevelopment. Name (Optional)___________________

148 responses out of 1100 circulated (22 were received after the deadline and so are not included) for a response rate of 13%.

  1. Are you an Asbury Park resident? Y 131 – N   If not, please state your town. 1 OAKHURST, 7 O.G., 1BRIELLE, 1WALL 1 MANASQUAN
  2. Have you seen the redevelopment plan for the waterfront?  Y 58 -  N 87
  3. Have you seen the *CAFRA (Coastal Area Facilities Review Act) permit application, which is currently before the NJ Department of Environmental Protection?  Y 14 – N 125
  4. (147 responses) How do you feel about the city’s decision to give only waterfront developers up to 16 years before their unit owners would have to pay full taxes?  (This could affect at least 3100 units.)  a) very favorable, b) favorable, c) opposed (66), d) strongly opposed (56),  or e) don’t care (15)
  5. (144 Responses) Plans to build 9, 4-story townhouses in front of Asbury Towers (between the Towers and the Atlantic Ocean)  a) very favorable, b) favorable, c) opposed (31), d) strongly opposed (52), or e) don’t care (48)
  6. (146 Responses) Plans to block the Deal Lake Drive view corridor with an 8 – 10 story condo tower, fronted by 13, 4- and 3-story town houses, north of the Asbury Tower? a) very favorable, b) favorable (5), c) opposed (59), d) strongly opposed (61), or e) don’t care (21)  so 120 out of 146 respondents or 82% are opposed.
  7. Plans to eliminate the remaining few yards of Ocean Avenue, in front of Asbury Tower, instead of possibly reconfiguring the sewer plant to reopen Ocean Ave? a) very favorable (1), b) favorable (7), c) opposed (58), d) strongly opposed (60), or e) don’t care (17)
  8. Plans to narrow boardwalk, from 6th Avenue to Asbury Tower, to the width of a walkway? a) very favorable, b) favorable (2), c) opposed (62), d) strongly opposed (66), or e) don’t care (13)

9.      *Plans to cover the 56 acres of waterfront 100% with buildings, rather than leave some pervious (uncovered) land for water drainage? a) very favorable (4), b) favorable (5), c) opposed (60), d) strongly opposed (64), or e) don’t care (12)

10.  The plan’s provision that property owners in the waterfront redevelopment area make up the environmental difference by limiting coverage of their property to 65%? a) very favorable (2), b) favorable (9), c) opposed (22), d) strongly opposed (55), or e) don’t care (56) *Negotiations between the DEP and the applicant have changed the context of the latter 2 questions. The DEP will probably allow 80% coverage overall. This decision is hinged on AP filing for Urban Center designation. Pervious surface is needed to allow rainwater to find its way beneath the earth’s surface and replenish ground water sources.

11.  The plan’s provision that property owners in the waterfront redevelopment area (WRA) cannot develop their own properties unless they negotiate a sale and repurchase of the lot – as an approved sub-developer? a) very favorable (3), b) favorable (6), c) opposed (22), d) strongly opposed (64), or e) don’t care (52)

12.  Allowing the development rights holder up to 30 years to decide whether or not it wants a property in the WRA?  a) very favorable (1), b) would approve a shorter time period (38), c) opposed (25), d) strongly opposed (63), or e) don’t care (17)

13.  Plan to permanently sell Convention Hall, the Paramount, the 5 Pavilions, the Casino, the Power Plant and The Palace to the redevelopment rights holder. a) very favorable (9), b) favorable (4), c) opposed (57), d) strongly opposed (64), or 3) don’t care (8)

14.  Plan to move founder James Bradley’s statue to a new island in the middle of Kingsley Avenue? a) very favorable, b) favorable (6), c) opposed (36), d) strongly opposed (43), or e) don’t care (53)  [138 responses]

15.  Plan to cutback the entertainment zone south to the Casino area? (This places the Stone Pony outside of the entertainment district, leading the way for it to be moved to the Casino area.) a) very favorable (9), b) favorable (12), c) opposed (57), d) strongly opposed (42), or e) don’t care (19)

16.  Plans to dead end Lake Ave, Asbury’s first street bordering Ocean Grove. a) very favorable, b) favorable, c) opposed, d) strongly opposed, or e) don’t care 4 yes/ 100 no

17.  Do you Agree or Disagree with the demolition of the following buildings –

a)      The Belmont Hotel, A – D, 120 disagree b) The Atlantic, A – D 114 disagree, c) The Jersey Apartments (the 2nd oldest apartment house in A.P.) A – D 116 disagree, d) The Britwood Court – A - D, 118 disagree e) the Virginian Apts., A – D,114 disagree f) The Fast Lane, A – D 112 disagree, g) The Baronet Theater, A – D 117 dis, h) Asbury Lanes (bowling alley), A – D 118 dis, i) the Lyric Theater, A-D 112 dis, j) the Stone Pony 113 dis, A – D, k) 2 homes belonging to Gokberk and Kary at 207 & 209, 6th & Webb, A – D 118 dis, l) the historic home owned by the Karpinski’s at corner of 7th Ave & Webb 119 dis. A-D – Comments: ________________________________________

18. This question measures your level of confidence in the plan in light of the chief city official who negotiated the plan, city manager Terrance Weldon, pleading guilty to extorting money from developers doing business with Ocean Twp where he was mayor, in return for letting the developer build more units. What confidence do you have that A.P.’s plan has been drawn in the best interests of the residents of Asbury Park? a) extremely confident (3), b) confident (11), c) not confident (45), d) extremely doubtful (67), e) don’t care. (13)

19. This question measures your confidence in the council, which is responsible for implementing the plan through dual roles as government and as the Redevelopment Council. 1a) council member Kate Mellina continues a close personal friendship with Terrance Weldon.  Do you feel this is, a) perfectly fine (7), b) ok (4),  c) rather she didn’t (36),  d) irresponsible behavior for an elected official (45) e) don’t care  (40)

2a) Council member John Loffredo has multiple roles -- sitting on the Redevelopment Council, as the council’s sole representative to the Technical Review Committee and its sole representative to the Planning Board. All of these bodies call for his participation in secret planning and negotiations, as well as public votes, opinions on waterfront development plans and timetables. Loffredo earns his living from real estate commissions on houses; very frequently those sales are in Asbury Park.  Do you feel a) this is perfectly fine (11), b) this is ok (3), c) you’d rather he didn’t accept listings in Asbury (8),  d) you’d rather another council member perform these duties (33), e) this is a conflict of interest for an elected official (85), f) you don’t care   (1)   141 responses

*CAFRA is the state’s opportunity to intervene in development plans that affect the environmentally sensitive coastal areas. It does not take property out of use, like the Green Acres program has done. It is more to provide a balance between the natural environment and development.

Restore Radio focused on CAFRA during shows on 9/11, 9/18, 9/25 and 10/2. Please click here to comment on this survey.