CAPE MAY COUNTY NEWS: THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY

December 6, 2002
Lower ordinance would restrict building on docks

By RICHARD DEGENER Staff Writer, (609) 463-6711, E-Mail

LOWER TOWNSHIP - Township Council, worried that suburban sprawl could destroy the commercial fishing industry, has introduced an ordinance strictly limiting development on the Ocean Drive docks.

The ordinance would ban the type of development that has already occurred at the Canyon Club, the first major dock on Ocean Drive after it peals off from the Garden State Parkway. The Canyon Club was originally just a marina, but in recent years it has become a major condominium development.

Deputy Mayor Diane Chesna said the proposed ordinance does not stop development at the Canyon Club but makes sure similar construction, as well as apartments, motels and "boatels," are not allowed at other major fish docks along Ocean Drive. This area in question includes Lund's, Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Axelsson & Johnson and other docks. Together these docks make the port one of the largest on the East Coast, although catches have been declining and the Axelsson & Johnson dock is currently in bankruptcy proceedings.

The area subject to the ordinance runs along Ocean Drive across Middle Thorofare and into the township's Diamond Beach section, ending around Madison Avenue.

"The Canyon Club is not in this district," Chesna explained. "They have condos. That's why we stopped it. We want to preserve the integrity of the community. It's a fishing community," Chesna said.

The ordinance was suggested by the Lower Township Planning Board, which had concerns that development could creep along Ocean Drive. Board member Dan Senico noted that condominiums work at the Canyon Club because the dock caters to sport fishermen. The same cannot be said at the commercial fishing docks.

"It works at the Canyon Club because it's pleasure fishing. You can't have a mix of housing and commercial fishing. You can't have boats bring fish in during the middle of the night right next to condo owners who will complain about the noise and the smell," Senico said.

Like Chesna, Senico noted the township has a rich fishing history. The history books say it goes back to the 1640s, when whalers settled in the Town Bank section.

"Our history in Lower Township is deep in regards to the fishing industry. We're pretty much trying to preserve what is left," Senico said.

Council introduced the ordinance on Monday night but it is slated for a public hearing and vote at the Dec. 16 meeting. Chesna said the ordinance creates a new Marine Development, or MD, zoning district. Called the MD-2 Zoning District, it would differ from the existing MD district by allowed fewer types of development. It would still allow restaurants and taverns.

The Planning Board previously passed a resolution noting that more intensive development is anticipated along the waterfront, and the land includes environmental restraints. The resolution said commercial fishing and related industries should be encouraged while residential uses are strongly discouraged. The board was examining the township's Master Plan when it decided to recommend changes to the council.