Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News

  • Zoning of the “Court” Properties

    WeberCourtThere are 4 alley way streets in Stone Harbor, commonly referred to as “the Courts”.

    Bower Court, Weber Court, and Stone Court are located between 108th and 111th Streets; and Linden Lane is situated between 84th and 85th Streets.

    Charming bungalows line the streets, all built on parcels only slightly larger than the structures.

    WAY back in the day, my father’s family rented the summer cottage at C-19 Weber Court:  (click here for the past blog post).  

     

    When the proposed zoning changes were discussed in July, I wrote the following letter to the Mayor and Borough Council:

    Hello all.  Thank you for considering my thoughts regarding the proposed ordinance change for Court properties.

    My husband and I purchased a cottage on Weber Court in 1997.  We were excited for our 536 square foot “project” and followed the guidelines as we completely renovated over the next few years.
     
    We understood that the 2nd level space had to remain attic storage for fire safety reasons, and worked within the existing walls to update. 
     
    The consistency and limitations of the zoning have been essential to maintain the look and value of the quaint cottages (as observed during my 40 years as a full time real estate agent on the island).
     
    After 5 years of ownership, we sold our Weber Court cottage and purchased our current location nearby.
    A comment I heard from someone who supports the zoning change: “Court owners should have the right to expand”.  
     
    If  that’s the case, what is the purpose of zoning?  As property owners, we are all guided by limitations for square footage, height, or number of dwelling units in a particular location.
     
    Property values are directly related to the zoning.  A Court owner pays less than someone purchasing an undersized lot on a numbered street.  And in turn, someone purchasing an undersized lot pays less than a buyer of a full size lot.  
    Although I understand that the proposed changes are restrictive and will only apply to a limited number of Court property owners, I disagree with the premise of the change – especially because there will always be those owners who try to push the boundaries!
     
    Thank you for your time.
     
    Sincerely,
    Ann Delaney

  • Thanksgiving Weekend- island style

    After you finish up your turkey dinner…it’s time for Christmas 😉

    There’s a full schedule of events in Avalon and Stone Harbor for the holiday weekend:

    Avalon Chamber of Commerce:    https://www.visitavalonnj.com/thanksgiving-weekend-2021

    Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce:  https://stoneharborchamber.com/events

    The highlight of the weekend is the parade on Saturday night (starting at 6:30pm on 108th and Third Avenue, heading north to 96th Street).

    Stop by our Avalon office on Friday 11/26- we will be handing out t-shirts from the 2021 TK Charities events!

    Christmas

  • Visit from Elsa?

    Practical tips to avoid damage from the storm:

    1) High winds will relocate deck and patio furniture, as well as trash cans!  Close and tie shut umbrellas, secure deck furniture , and place cushions inside.

    2) Store bikes and beach chairs…and any other possible flying objects.

    3) Some streets on the island are slow to drain after heavy rain.  Thankfully, no tidal flooding is expected with this storm.  But as a precaution, vehicles are safer in a driveway or a parking lot rather than at the curb.  Check with a neighbor for their experience on a specific block.

    Bikes

     

  • Trash

    Proper disposal of trash and recycling is an ongoing challenge with the summer rental properties.

    Tenants produce a higher volume of trash and recycling than home owners (more take out, and beverages consumed!)

    And to add to the dilemma, Stone Harbor is unable to transition to the normal twice a week summer pick up schedule due to staff shortages.

    Solution?  Property owners need extra trash and recycling cans, and understand that there’s a cost to occasionally hire someone to haul away the excess.

    The cleaners are unable to take on this added task, and the incoming tenants need space for their trash/recycling.

    Trash

     

     

     

  • Villa Maria by the Sea, Stone Harbor

    Before…During…and After.

    Sad to see this beautiful landmark gone.

    Yet happy for the Sisters.  They will be building a new (scaled down) version of their retreat house soon.

    More details of the plan from a prior post:  Villa Maria by the Sea info

    VillaMariaRainbowVillaMariaB4DemoDemo111thGone

  • Winter Beach Days…

    Looking forward to warm and sunny beach days ahead!

    PXL_20210210_123056616PXL_20210211_134451751

  • Winter Storm

    Although no issues with snow, the island felt the effects of moderate tidal flooding and some beach erosion.

    The crews from public works were out in force today handling street and beach path clean up.

    Beach access may be limited on some blocks until the sand is leveled.  Watch your step!

    BeachPath

     

  • Rental License, Avalon and Stone Harbor

    fireextingFor 2022 rental licenses in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ:

    The inspected and tagged fire extinguisher will no longer be permitted inside a cabinet.

    Make plans to mount the fire extinguisher in the kitchen in an open location in order to pass the inspection for the 2022 rental season.

    This new regulation should be posted on the 2021/2022 renewal paperwork.

    More specifics from the Borough of Avalon:

    The extinguisher must be labeled, charged and operable.

    • Extinguishers must be within 10 feet of the kitchen and located in the path of egress, or near the way out.

    • Units must be readily accessible and visible.

    • Extinguishers must be mounted using the manufacturer’s hanging bracket, so the operating instructions are clearly visible.

    • The extinguisher cannot weigh more than 10 pounds.

    • Extinguishers must be an approved type with a minimum rating of 2A-10B:C.

    • Upon inspection of the home, the owner’s manual or written operational instructions must be provided and left for the new occupant.

    • The unit must be serviced and tagged by a certified Division of Fire Safety contractor within the past 12 months, or the homeowner must have a receipt for a recently purchased extinguisher.

    • When the unit is mounted, the top cannot be more than five feet above the floor.

     Whereas the extinguisher used to be allowed to exist under the sink, it now has to be visible. As such, we need to hang a fire extinguisher to pass the fire cert.

     

  • A Beach Safari

    This time last year, we were on our way home from an amazing African safari adventure.  I love looking at the pictures with the hope of returning to far away travel again in 2021.

    In the meantime…we have our share of wildlife adventures right here on our regular beach walks.

    This morning, a beautiful snowy owl was hanging out by the dunes!

    snowyowl

  • Villa Maria by the Sea, Stone Harbor

    Last night, the Stone Harbor Zoning Board approved the application of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the replacement of their retreat house.

    Copies of architect’s plans and renderings are posted on the Borough of Stone Harbor web site:  Zoning Application Villa Maria

    Sister James Dolores, along with her professional legal and engineering team, presented a comprehensive plan that has the support of neighbors and the community.

    Summary-

    The current land area is 9 acres, and is privately owned by the IHM order.  This is not a tax exempt property- the sisters pay property taxes to the Borough of Stone Harbor.

    4 acres will remain under the ownership of the order to be utilized for their new retreat house and accessory buildings.  Because they are dramatically scaling down the structure, the lot coverage will be just 1.5% of the total land area.

    The new buildings will meet flood elevation codes, be ADA compliant, and functional year round with central heat and air conditioning (amenities currently lacking in the existing building).

    There are 2 “paper streets” on the parcel:  First Avenue, which will be vacated by the IHM order to allow for proper underground drainage equipment; and 112th Street, which will become a through street to the beach (with an access path over the dune).

    Along the south side of 112th Street and on the corner of 111th and Second Avenue, a total of 13 single family lots will become available for sale.  All lots are in compliance with the Res-A zoning for the neighborhood.

    The sale of the 13 lots will provide funds for construction of the retreat house, as well as create an endowment to maintain the property into the future.

    Yes, I will be sad to see the demolition of this beautiful landmark…yet the plan makes sense.  The sisters will remain in Stone Harbor with well deserved modern comforts.

    I will always be grateful for my long history with the building and relationships with the kind sisters.

    VillaMariaRainbow