As a courtesy to our SHPOA Members, we’re bringing you this summary of the Stone Harbor Work Session and Council Meeting on August 17, 2021.

96th Street Bridge Getting Replaced and more…

At the Stone Harbor Council’s August 17, 2021 Work Session, Cape May County Engineer Bob Church gave an overview of future infrastructure projects in the Borough.

The county engineer’s report included the following:
The federal government plans to fund the replacement of the 96th Street Bridge which would take about five years for design and permitting. The new bridge would have new support piers. The work would require a nine-month detour for demolition and installation. During the summer – when the bridge is being built off-site – the government would install a Bailey Bridge. It would not be movable, so boat traffic would be restricted to craft that could pass under the temporary bridge.

The county plans to resurface 80th through 94th Streets as well as repair or replace curbs for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. Work is scheduled to begin next March, stop over the summer, and be completed by May 2025.

A traffic safety report on Stone Harbor Blvd. recommended looking into speed restrictions, especially near the Wetlands Institute, and adding a pedestrian alert for westbound traffic for the crosswalk at the base of the west side of the bridge.

The 104th Street bridge would be maintained until it is replaced in the next 5 years.

The county and state would fund repairs to the Stone Harbor–Wildwood Bridge. Construction is scheduled to start in the fall of 2023.
Lifeguards

The Borough administration is trying to have some beaches protected after Labor Day.

Demolition of the old guardhouse could begin mid-September.

No Second Stories at the Courts
During its August 17, 2021 Regular Meeting, Council voted down Ordinance 1595, which would have allowed homeowners on Bower, Stone, and Weber Courts and Linden Lane to add a second story to their houses. The vote was 4-1. Following the vote, Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour said that work would continue on the ordinance to address concerns and that it would be introduced again.

Prior to the public hearing, the Mayor noted the long process of developing the ordinance. About 3 1/2 years ago, the Planning Board began their 10-year re-examination of the Borough Master Plan. A special committee – made up of Council, Planning Board, and Zoning Board members – held public hearings and took comments from residents. It recommended providing some relief for court and lane property owners.

For the next 18 months, the plan was discussed at Planning Board and Council meetings. The ordinance resulted from this process.

At the public hearing on the ordinance, about 20 people commented.

Arguments against the ordinance included: There was no notification provided to the neighborhoods around the courts. Emergency vehicles currently have trouble accessing the courts and would have an even tougher time with bigger houses on the roadways. Additionally, the Fire Chief noted he couldn’t get trucks into the courts due to all the parked cars and suggested fog lines. Developers would buy court properties and build bigger houses. And, there is a need to keep a part of the town’s past with these bungalows.

Arguments in favor included: The ordinance would allow expanding and improving basic living space (e.g., moving the washer/dryer inside the house, adding another bedroom for family or guests, as well as adding a half bath). Enhancing safety features of the house, upgrading to larger appliances and other housing infrastructure such as furnaces or hot water heaters. The houses have been dwarfed by large houses built around them on the numbered streets. And, owners did not anticipate an increase in cars in the surrounding neighborhood or additional congestion in the Borough.

Ordinances Approved:
1596: To authorize the use of the Borough right-of-way to install certain wireless telecommunications equipment.
1597: To simplify and clarify charges for water and sewer

Resolutions Approved:
The appointment of the Hon. Andrew J. Cafiero as Judge of the Municipal Court of the Borough of Stone Harbor. He would also serve as the Judge of the Municipal Court of Borough of Avalon, under the Stone Harbor-Avalon Shared Services Agreement.
The Water and Sewer Fee Schedule for Stone Harbor. (Please follow the documents link below for more information).
The application from the Chamber of Commerce for the Annual Merchants’ Sidewalk Sale on Sunday, August 28.
Request for Proposals for a coastal engineer and planning consultant on the issues of dredging and beach renourishment to prepare for upcoming projects.
To view documents from the meeting, please click on this link: https://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/August-17-2021.pdf

To view a video recording of the meeting, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/kUtD0M2eXwY