Doesn’t impact hotels, motels, campgrounds
PETERSBURG — Township Committee took steps March 14 to put limits on rental housing, both long- and short-term, by proposing regulations and the creation of a registry.
Ordinance 5 is intended to protect tenants by ensuring the properties are maintained in a safe condition and that maximum occupancy limits are maintained, and to protect the value of properties nearby by requiring maintenance.
If approved following a public hearing, set for April 3, the owner of every rental property in the township would have to register their property and provide access for annual inspections. The rules would not apply to motels, hotels, campgrounds or condominium campgrounds.
The ordinance states Township Committee believes short-term rentals benefit the community by allowing owners to generate additional income, as well as providing tourists with an alternative option for accommodations.
It further states that Township Committee believes the transitory use of residential property could have harmful effects if unregulated. The regulations are aimed at balancing the rights of owners of short-term rentals with the business community affected by the allowance.
Regulations are intended to provide a process for short-term rentals, protect the long-term housing market stock, protect the integrity of neighborhoods and ensure properties meet maintenance standards.
Short-term rentals, defined as accommodations for fewer than 31 days, would be limited to the Waterfront Town Center, Marmora Town Center, Resort Residential and Resort Commercial zoning districts.
All rental units would have to be registered by April 1 of each year.
The regulations call for inspections annually and prior to every change of tenancy. They also allow Township Committee to set fees to be paid to offset administrative expenses.
Furthermore, the regulations set standards for number of occupants based on square footage.
Mayor Jay Newman said the Planning Board helped craft the ordinance. Township Administrator Gary DeMarzo said it has been vetted by the solicitor as well.
Beach erosion in Strathmere
DeMarzo reported substantial erosion of the beaches in Strathmere, noting the closing of access points from Williams Avenue north. He said the Upper Township Beach Patrol would have to move its operations to the south end of the island to gain access to the beach with vehicles.
“Unless you are walking at low tide, you are not walking on the beach in Strathmere,” engineer Paul Dietrich told Township Committee, adding the situation is not likely to get better any time soon.
He cited a year-end report from the Stockton University Coastal Research Center that cited the loss of 355,000 cubic yards of sand from December 2021 to December 2022.
Dietrich said the township cannot expect any relief until late July or August, since a planned beach replenishment contract will not be awarded until mid-June.
He said losing four access points is significant in the township where there is just 1.3 miles of beach.
Bond ordinance
Township Committee also adopted a $3,494,5000 bond ordinance to buy various pieces of equipment and undertake multiple projects. The ordinance allows the sale of $3,319,775 in bonds and a down payment of $174,725 to finance the purchases.
A breakdown of expenditures includes $1.57 million for repaving and resurfacing roads, $937,500 for recreation facility improvements, $930,000 for beach replenishment and improvements in Strathmere and $57,000 for Upper Township Beach Patrol and EMS vehicles.
Dredge materials
Township Committee introduced an ordinance that would give the governing body the ability to adjust fees for hauling or dumping dredge materials.
Concurrently, committee approved a permit to deposit dredge materials at All Seasons Marina at 551 Roosevelt Blvd.
Dietrich said there is a dredge disposal facility at the marina and sand is being transported from the Ocean City dredge project. The plan is to dump 5,000 cubic yards of material at the marina. The permit fee is $10,000.
He said the owner of the marina did not apply for a permit until notified of a violation and noted that the ordinance clearly states one is necessary when transporting and dumping material from outside the township. All Seasons is at the base of the Roosevelt Boulevard (34th Street) bridge that runs between Ocean City and Upper Township.
Dietrich said the marina has a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection assuring the material is free of contaminants.
Committeeman Curtis Corson noted it is the first time anyone has trucked dredge materials into the township.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff