§ 276-27. SPRA Seaport Pier Redevelopment Area., Article IV. District Regulations, Chapter 276. Land Development, Part II. General Legislation, Code of Ordinances, North Wildwood

Purpose statement.

(1)

Seaport Pier is an approximately 51,543 square foot property located between 22nd Avenue and 23rd Avenue on the eastern (beach) side of the Boardwalk. The property was formerly known as the "North Wildwood Fishing Pier" but has more recently been known as the "Seaport Village Pier." As one of only three piers in the City, and the only pier to be municipally owned, Seaport Pier should not only provide North Wildwood with substantial positive revenue but has the potential of being a primary agent for the revitalization of the City's Boardwalk (tourist) economy.

(2)

City policymakers believed that the investment required to return the Pier to a condition where it was able to receive visitors was too burdensome for the City to undertake on its own and that transferring such a substantial renovation cost to a private-sector operator under the standard municipal auction process would materially impact the marketability of the Pier, thereby limiting the potential return to the taxpayers. Further, policymakers recognized that the turnaround of Seaport Pier could not be accomplished without the tools and incentives possible that are available only under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq., as amended) ("Redevelopment Law"). The Redevelopment Law provides municipalities the ability to address un/underdeveloped, underproductive or deteriorated areas and to actively (re)develop such areas into productive assets for the community. Utilizing a comprehensive set of planning tools and techniques afforded municipalities under this law, municipalities may reprogram lands and buildings for specific desired uses, provide for the clearance of lands or the renovation of buildings, install infrastructure and/or other site improvements, provide favorable tax and other financial incentives for development, and solicit for, negotiate with and transfer lands to private entities in order to promote development that will be conducive to the social and economic improvement of the municipality.

(3)

As required under the Redevelopment Law, the City submitted its action to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) for approval. Such approval was issued by NJDCA in January 2006. The Redevelopment Plan was prepared by a City planning consultant and submitted to the Planning Board for review and recommendation prior to action by the governing body. The guiding purpose of the plan was to provide a mechanism for a public/private partnership leading to the redevelopment and reactivation of the pier as a destination anchor for the Wildwoods Boardwalk. The Planning Board held its public hearing on the Redevelopment Plan in May 2006. At the conclusion of such hearing, the Planning Board adopted a resolution finding the Redevelopment Plan to be fully consistent with the North Wildwood Master Plan, as revised via reexamination, and further finding that the Redevelopment Plan was designed to effectuate the City's policy to revitalize the economic base of the Wildwoods and to address the physical conditions on the Boardwalk. The City adopted the Redevelopment Plan in June 2006.

(4)

In February 2007, the governing body directed the Planning Board to conduct the necessary investigations, make the requisite public notice and hold the statutorily mandated public hearing to determine whether or not the Block 291 Study Area, or any portion thereof, along with contiguous municipal rights-of-way, did or did not meet the statutory criteria for designation as an "area in need of redevelopment" pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-5 or an "area in need of rehabilitation" pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14.

(5)

In March 2007, the Planning Board accepted the directive of the governing body and directed the City planning consultant to undertake the preliminary investigation on its behalf.

(6)

In June and July 2007, the Planning Board reviewed the report of findings and held a duly noticed public hearing regarding this analysis. At the end of said hearing, the Planning Board adopted a resolution recommending to the governing body that the Block 291 Study Area be declared to be in need of redevelopment under the Redevelopment Law. The governing body received the report of findings, resolution and the recommendation of the Planning Board and, after due consideration, declared the Block 291 Study Area to be in need of redevelopment in August 2007. The governing body further directed the City planning consultant to expand the Seaport Pier Redevelopment Area to include the new redevelopment area (Block 291 Study Area). The City submitted its action to the NJDCA for approval. Such approval was issued in September 2006.

(7)

The 2010 Comprehensive Master Plan ("Master Plan") and the City's Zoning Map recommended incorporation of the adoption of the Seaport Pier Redevelopment Plan and Area.

(8)

The Master Plan recommended that the redevelopment plan for the Block 291 Redevelopment Area had yet to be adopted. The Master Plan recommended the Block 291 Study Area be classified within the RH (Resort Hotel) Zoning District until such time as a redevelopment plan for the Block 291 Study Area is adopted.