VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, May 8 postponed a public hearing on a proposed redevelopment plan for the Ventnor Professional Campus located on Ventnor Avenue between New Haven and Troy avenues.
It is the second time the board delayed opening a public hearing on the ordinance creating the redevelopment plan, which was reviewed by the Planning Board on April 9. Planners agreed the concept plan needs to be revised before it is adopted.
Commissioner Lance Landgraf said the commissioners have yet to receive the revised plan from the Planning Board, therefore the public hearing should be delayed until the board has an opportunity to review it.
“We will hold off having a public hearing until the May 22 meeting,” he said.
Landgraf said the changes being made are not significant enough to require that a whole new ordinance be written and introduced.
Ventnor Professional Campus Redevelopment Plan rendering.Planners agreed the “coastal modern” design needed to be revised to ensure it is an “exceptional” plan. The owner, part-time Ventnor resident David Waxman, is proposing market-rate, fee-simple townhouses at the rear of the 2.3-acre site, but plans to maintain the front portion of the former brick schoolhouse as commercial space, possibly with several restaurants and a medical spa.
Board members and residents expressed concerns about the removal of several parking spaces at the rear of the property on Winchester Avenue and traffic exiting a proposed access road so close to Firehouse No. 1 on Troy Avenue, where fire trucks leave in a hurry for fire calls. They would like to see more open space and decreased density. As with developments in all shore towns, maintaining parking spaces is a priority.
The board agreed, however, that the proposed redevelopment plan meets the intent of the city’s Master Plan.
Landgraf said the city is working with the developer to “tweak” the plan to make the “iconic” structure a centerpiece of activity for the south end of town.
The public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at Ventnor City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave.
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