Save Surf City Square

10/21/2022

Use your vote to stop the systematic destruction of our commercial property in Surf City.

I was able to attend last nights Meet the Candidates public forum hosted by SCTPA.

Jacqueline Siciliano was the only incumbent to show up for the standing room only crowd. Her presentation focused on fiscal responsibility and never mentioned irresponsible development and conflicts of interest by the mayors businesses.

Lydia and Jack Bashwiner confirmed they have no business interests in the town and are interested in examining the master plan and specifically promoting a business district. They spoke about having transparency and accessibility by providing emails, phone numbers and office hours. Also having council meetings live streamed and agendas posted prior to meetings. They mentioned keeping current fiscal initiatives in place to ensure taxes don’t increase and using existing funds to make upgrades to public trash receptacles, recreational areas and adding tax and utility payment options on the website.
We need a different voice in Surf City. Please consider voting for Lydia and Jack to help us curb the systematic destruction of commercial properties.

Check out more details on their page.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086264331279

10/21/2022

I was able to attend last nights Meet the Candidates public forum hosted by SCTPA.

Jacqueline Siciliano was the only incumbent to show up for the standing room only crowd. Her presentation focused on fiscal responsibility and never mentioned irresponsible development and conflicts of interest by the mayors businesses.

Lydia and Jack Bashwiner confirmed they have no business interests in the town and are interested in examining the master plan and specifically promoting a business district. They spoke about having transparency and accessibility by providing emails, phone numbers and office hours. Also having council meetings live streamed and agendas posted prior to meetings. They mentioned keeping current fiscal initiatives in place to ensure taxes don’t increase and using existing funds to make upgrades to public trash receptacles, recreational areas and adding tax and utility payment options on the website.
We need a different voice in Surf City. Please consider voting for Lydia and Jack to help us curb the systematic destruction of commercial properties.

Check out more details on their page.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086264331279

We are running for Surf City Council because we need an independent voice for the people.

06/10/2022

The sun rises over the ruins of Surf City Square. The commercial center of town demolished by the mayor and his family owned development and construction company to build 4 houses and then use his family owned reality company to sell them.

08/11/2021

UPDATE. Due to an emergency my partner cannot make the meeting tonight. We plan on being at the August 25 Land Use Board meeting and September’s council meeting.
Thank you.

07/19/2021

Good Afternoon, the mayor is refusing to add us to the agenda to discuss the demolition of the Square.

Please take this opportunity to call/email/write to the mayor and council at

(609) 494-3064
[email protected]
[email protected] (Councilwoman Siciliano)
[email protected] (Councilman Hartley)
813 Long Beach Blvd.
Surf City NJ 08008

and demand that this topic be added to the August 11 council meeting agenda.

Thank you.
Casey Deacon

07/15/2021

Good Morning, while last nights meeting was well attended it seems the public comment portion was cut short and the comments that were made were met with contention from the mayor and council.

We will request a formal addition to the next council meetings agenda Wednesday August 11th at 7:30pm to present an impact statement as it relates to this project. Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to join this effort. My email is [email protected]
Please add Surf City Square to the subject line.

07/14/2021

Printable Google doc of zoninng and master plan issues to discuss during public comment

NJ Municipal Land Use Law Article 8 Zoning 40:55D-62 Power to Zone 49. Power to zone. a. The governing body may adopt or amend a zoning ordinance relating to the nature and extent of the uses of land and of buildings and structures thereon. Such ordinance shall be adopted after the plann...

07/14/2021

I am unable to attend the meeting this evening, however, I would like to post some good information that can be brought up during public comment. Feel free to reach out with any questions. We will request a formal addition to the agenda should we need to for August.





NJ Municipal Land Use Law
Article 8 Zoning 40:55D-62 Power to Zone
49. Power to zone. a. The governing body may adopt or amend a zoning ordinance relating to the nature and extent of the uses of land and of buildings and structures thereon. Such ordinance shall be adopted after the planning board has adopted the land use plan element and the housing plan element of a master plan, and all of the provisions of such zoning ordinance or any amendment or revision thereto shall either be substantially consistent with the land use plan element and the housing plan element of the master plan or designed to effectuate such plan elements; …

Surf City Master Plan
Page 2 II. Master Plan Goals
3. Attract new business and maintain existing viable businesses.
2002 re-examination:
3. Commerce in the borough remains vibrant and remains focused on service establishments for residents and tourists. The objective of maintaining existing businesses while attracting new opportunities to the area remains a priority for the Borough.
2019 re-examination
Page 3: C. Commerce in the Borough remains vibrant and remains focused on service establishments for residents and tourists. The objective of maintaining existing businesses while attracting new opportunities to the area remains a priority for the Borough.

Land Use Element Page 3 Part 3 Demographics Established Zoning Districts and Land Use Recommendations
…. In the business district, the borough does permit mixed use buildings and in the last decade, several mixed-use buildings have been constructed. On a barrier Island such as Long Beach Island where property values are high It’s often been noted that allowing apartments to be controlled and constructed above retail units encourages a work/life environment where a prospective business owner may buy the commercial property as well as the residential property above it. It’s typically more cost-effective to purchase an apartment unit rather than a standalone dwelling. Some property owners also construct these mixed buildings in so that the rental rate on the commercial units can remain competitive with mainland real estate prices because of the cost is being offset by residential units. Thus far the solution is working well for Surf City as they have a thriving town center and no issues with commercial vacancies.

Elsewhere on the island many businesses are being demolished in favor of single-family home new construction. Borough ordinances do allow residential construction in the business district, however, as noted above, most parcels have retained commercial uses.


Questions for Public Comment based on the information contained above:

Is the mayor of Surf City going to use his development company to develop properties in direct contradiction to the “Surf City Master Plan”

Was the “Master Plan” examined prior to the Land Use board meeting?

07/10/2021

This statue might be worth mention at the town hall meeting Wednesday 7/14 at 7pm or in your letters / emails to the Surf City officials.

2014 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 40A - MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES
Section 40A:9-22.5 - Provisions requiring compliance by local government officers, employees
Universal Citation: NJ Rev Stat § 40A:9-22.5 (2014)
40A:9-22.5. Provisions requiring compliance by local government officers, employees
Local government officers or employees under the jurisdiction of the Local Finance Board shall comply with the following provisions:

a. No local government officer or employee or member of his immediate family shall have an interest in a business organization or engage in any business, transaction, or professional activity, which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest;

b. No independent local authority shall, for a period of one year next subsequent to the termination of office of a member of that authority:

(1) award any contract which is not publicly bid to a former member of that authority;

(2) allow a former member of that authority to represent, appear for or negotiate on behalf of any other party before that authority; or

(3) employ for compensation, except pursuant to open competitive examination in accordance with Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, any former member of that authority.

The restrictions contained in this subsection shall also apply to any business organization in which the former authority member holds an interest.

c. No local government officer or employee shall use or attempt to use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages for himself or others;

d. No local government officer or employee shall act in his official capacity in any matter where he, a member of his immediate family, or a business organization in which he has an interest, has a direct or indirect financial or personal involvement that might reasonably be expected to impair his objectivity or independence of judgment;

e. No local government officer or employee shall undertake any employment or service, whether compensated or not, which might reasonably be expected to prejudice his independence of judgment in the exercise of his official duties;

07/07/2021

Hey friends! There is the first in-person town meeting in over a year WEDNESDAY 7/14 at Surf City Borough Hall, 7:30pm. In preparation for that I am trying to bombard the council with emails from concerned residents, business owners, visitors, etc about our opposition to the destruction of the 7/8th street strip mall (mkt eatery, beach house spa, coastal coffee, pyour core, tech no) and 5 houses built in its place.

Most of you, like me, would agree the plan as it was announced 2 weeks ago will change the culture of our town - this strip is part of our “main street” ! I believe it will in the long run discourage visitors, and make Surf City less of a community where we can walk and bike to get coffee or grab some food or go shopping, and instead would have to drive. I encourage you to send an email expressing your concerns and that you would like to see the town council preserve this business district and would rather see a mixed use building/s in its place - commercial on bottom, condos or apartments on top. If you have haven’t already would you mind sending an email to the 2 council members with emails publicly listed TODAY!

[email protected]
[email protected]

PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE/EVERYONE IN SURF CITY THAT YOU KNOW! THE MORE EMAILS SENT THE BETTER!