Redevelopment at marina, potential Aldi market
SOMERS POINT — City Council took another step forward on two redevelopment projects May 12, approving one plan and sending another to the Planning Board for consideration.
Resolution 120-2022 approved the agreement with Somers Point Paddle Club LLC for redevelopment of Block 1211, Lot 2, more commonly known as 520 Bay Ave., the former site of Bubba Mac’s Shack and Harbour Cove Marina.
An overlay zone divided the lot into three parts. Lot 2 now contains the marina, Lot 2.01 the private swim club with a bar and grille and Lot 2.02 three units of affordable housing.
City redevelopment attorney Jim Franklin said a redevelopment agreement allows the city to work with builders, property owners and developers to find the best use for real estate in a way that is mutually beneficial. It allows the city to have input into what will be developed and provides the developer an opportunity to seek tax incentives.
Prior to entering into a redevelopment agreement, he said, a redevelopment plan must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Board and adopted by a City Council ordinance. The final development must then be approved by the Planning Board and adhere to all zoning requirements set forth in the plan, unless relief is sought and granted.
In the case of the Paddle Club, the city gains three units toward its obligation to the Council on Affordable Housing and beautification of an underdeveloped property that could boost business at the site on Bay Avenue near Longport Boulevard.
Phase I will include demolition of existing structures, infrastructure improvements, the housing element and associated landscaping and streetscaping.
Phase II will involve construction of the paddle club facility.
Developer Sean Scarborough has said he hopes to have site plan approval and break ground in July or August after completing the rest of the permitting process. He said he hopes to be ready to go in May 2023.
The second project, the West Groveland/Aldi Redevelopment Plan, involves Provco Partners LP and its property at 425 New Road, where it hopes to build an Aldi market at the site of the Walgreens pharmacy.
The city initially rejected an agreement with Provco in March 2021 after its request for major intersection and drainage work at the site was rejected.
At the time, Councilman Sean McGuigan said the Redevelopment Subcommittee “wasn’t interested in giving them a redevelopment agreement if there was no reciprocal help,” noting that such a deal would involve zoning changes, conjoining properties and even the use of part of a paper street portion of Jefferson Avenue.
The city is seeking drainage work and dedicated left-turn lanes from Groveland to New Road.
By September, the sides had come together. Attorney Stephen Nehmad said the developer would implement a stormwater management plan that would lessen chronic flooding in the area, which is congested, flood-prone and built for much less traffic. It will be redesigned to make it safer and more easily navigable.
“That’s why we want to do a redevelopment agreement because we have to do more than our fair share,” he told City Council at the time.
Resolution 99-2022 refers the redevelopment plan to the Planning Board for its input and consideration.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff