WEST CAPE MAY — Pedestrian and bicycle safety and historic preservation guidelines were among the topics addressed by the West Cape May Board of Commissioners at their meeting Sept. 23
The board unanimously introduced an ordinance to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety by reducing parking on the west side of First Avenue, between Sunset Boulevard and West Grant Street.
The plan would remove about seven and a half spaces — plus a painted-over illegal space — running between Shorehouse Canna and Mediterrano Restaurant, to clear a safer pathway to the beach.
“We’re going to take away basically only six spots to have a better way for bicycles, and pedestrians, to get down to the beach,” Mayor George Dick said.
To help offset the loss, three new parking spots will be created on Congress Street, made possible because homeowners at First Avenue and Congress have chosen not to use their Congress Street driveway, Dick said.
Three to four spots will be lost in total, “but the trade-off is a much safer route coming from Sunset down to West Grant,” Dick said.
A public hearing and final vote are scheduled for the next meeting on Oct. 14.
Historic preservation guidebook
Deputy Mayor Susan Hoffman provided an update on a recent special meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission and the progress being made on a guidebook for people making renovations to their historic properties.
“Our commissioners and residents will have a really clear idea about how to go about their projects and renovations in the historic district and the guidelines are nearly complete,” Hoffman said, adding the guide will also be a helpful tool for municipal decision-makers.
There will be a public information and education session when the guidebook is complete.
Under a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust, the HPC is also updating property surveys, which Hoffman indicated will likely result in more West Cape homes being considered historic.
“We’re still sorting out what properties are going to be surveyed, but we’re making a lot of progress on that,” she said.
Dick thanked Hoffman for getting the grant and her work on the project.
“It will be very helpful to people who live in the historic district who need to work on their houses and give them a great starting point for when they go into a meeting, whether it’s just planning or HPC,” he said of the guidebook.
Stevens Street resident Pam Kaithern urged caution regarding potential historic district expansion, warning that preservation rules create heavy financial and regulatory hurdles for long-term residents.
She noted requirements like formal architectural applications for simple repairs increase costs, stating, “Please be cautious with designations. … I know we want to protect, but we also want to survive.”
Kaithern proposed tiered regulations offering lighter burdens to long-term homeowners versus short-term investors.
In response, Hoffman explained that the historic district is being closely evaluated with the help of a consultant. It may see properties added if it seems appropriate.
She said current survey work by an outside consultant is preliminary, intended to update out-of-date records and identify qualifying resources.
“We’re still sorting that out. … he’s giving us his opinion on what we could add … so it’s still kind of up in the air,” Hoffman said.
Opioid resolution adopted
Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Oct. 6 as Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day, highlighting the region’s ongoing struggle with addiction.
Reading from the resolution, Dick pointed to alarming local statistics, noting that Cape May County saw 523 treatment admissions for heroin or other opioids in 2024, and 23 suspected overdose deaths in 2025.
The designation emphasizes the need to raise awareness about the link between prescription painkillers and heroin addiction, and calls for safer physician prescribing guidelines. It urges the public to safely dispose of unused medications at local police department drop boxes.
Christmas Parade fundraisers
McDevitt provided an update on upcoming Christmas parade fundraising events events as follows:
— Oct. 10: Ostara’s Coffee House special drink
— Oct. 18: Chalfonte Hotel Chicken Dinner, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $47 on Eventbrite. Phone reservation required.
— Oct. 25: Ramble concert, 5 to 8 p.m. at Rea’s Farm. Tickets are $40. Beer truck and wine from Cape May Winery available.
— Nov. 3: Pints for the Parade at Cape May Brewery, 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $30.
Free flu shots
Hoffman announced a free flu vaccination clinic 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the firehall.
The clinic, hosted in partnership with the Cape May County Department of Health, is open to anyone 6 months of age and older. Vaccines are provided at no cost. Participants must complete a consent form, which can be filled out at the event.
Also, free COVID-19 and flu tests are still available in the Borough Hall lobby.
Lima Bean Festival jitney
This year’s West Cape May Lima Bean Festival is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 in Backyard Park. Those who plan to drive to the event should park on a side street and hop on one of two jitneys that will be provided, each running in opposite directions along the same route followed during the summer, allowing people to use side streets to park.
Festivalgoers can wave down a jitney for a ride. Service will be available starting at noon.
Leaming Avenue
Leaming Avenue resident Laura Prickett expressed frustration over what she described as ongoing heavy truck traffic on her street, claiming local officials were “ghosting” her despite her submitting photos to police, and warned she might erect a barricade if unresolved.
McDevitt pushed back on that characterization, outlining actions taken since June. The borough posted 8,000-pound weight limits, deployed a parked police car and asked local businesses to reroute commercial traffic. Police enforcement yielded 19 traffic stops, eight summonses, 15 warnings and targeted radar details along the 1,700-foot street.
McDevitt noted a three-hour monitor showed almost all commercial traffic was legal local delivery (UPS, postal, utilities). Furthermore, McDevitt and Mayor Dick emphasized data prove the street is safe with zero recorded accidents, adding that 24-hour monitoring on one street isn’t feasible across 50 miles of borough roads.
By JAMES FITZPATRICK/For the Star and Wave
