CAPE MAY POINT — Commissioners discussed the behind-the-scenes aspects of code enforcement and made recommendations during the July 22 meeting.
Deputy Mayor Elise Geiger said she is responsible for code enforcement, except for zoning, construction and land-use ordinances, which fall under the purview of Mayor Anita VanHeeswyk.
Geiger added that early in her tenure, she met with Code Enforcement Officer Brady Schoenrock to review protocols.
“The mayor or commissioners as well as staff are always looking to bring issues to myself or Brady,” Geiger said. “But it needs to be understood that enforcement actions and programs is really the responsibility of this commission.”
She said she believes transparency and communication with the public are important, as is bringing issues to the attention of the public at meetings and following up with residents via email to ensure compliance.
“We have two enforcement activities, one is ongoing and one I would like to initiate,” Geiger said, noting one is placement and trash receptacles. Code requires all trash receptacles to be on the side or the rear of the property and screened from public view of the street.
“An issue that comes up in corner lots that is trickier, is that the yard area does not front on the street where trash receptacles have to be,” she said. “People who live on the corner have two front yards, so there has been some backsliding in this area.”
Geiger said letters have been sent to individuals to remind them of this rule.
During public comment, resident Sandy Allison said she has observed many recyclables in plastic bags and suggested a sticker to remind residents and renters about the regulations.
Geiger said putting together a checklist for homeowners was a possibility to make residents aware of the rules. Commissioner Suzanne Yunghans added she would look into the sticker cost. The code enforcement issue Geiger said she wanted to initiate is the visibility of house numbers. The Cape May Point code requires owners or occupants of buildings to place a number on the building, so that it is visible from the street, no less than five inches, and is plainly displayed.
Fencing, shrubbery and trees can block and impair visibility of house numbers from the street. Geiger noted visibility is important for the fire department, ambulances, police and even UPS.
“I want to initiate this enforcement perhaps in the fall but wanted to mention it now so that people can [look at] their homes and evaluate, and have a chance to fix it,” she said.
Yunghans said she liked the idea of letting folks know ahead of time and giving residents a chance to fix things before receiving letters.
VanHeeswyk said she wanted the board to review the 5-inch house number for aesthetic reasons, and that the idea of numbers close to the road is a good idea.
“I think most of what we buy are 4 inches,” VanHeeswyk said.
Geiger said then it makes sense to change the requirement to 4 inches.
Construction checklist
Commissioners also discussed the checklist for contractors to sign off on before projects commence.
“We can use it in the zoning office, and this [list] is going to reinforce the rules that we already have in place,” VanHeeswyk said. “This way, [the contractors] can’t say they didn’t already know.”
Geiger said the list was very helpful, especially for Schoenrock. She suggested putting a link on the borough’s website.
VanHeeswyk added that the borough connects with contractors, but not subcontractors.
“We don’t have access to them and that does present problems at times with their equipment and things in the road,” VanHeeswyk said. “These are things we can deal with.”
Yunghans asked if they could add that contractors are responsible for subcontractors. Solicitor John Amenhauser said it would not hurt to add it.
“I previously rented our home and as a renter we would get a list of ordinances that we as homeowners needed [to know],” Yunghans said. “I would love to see the same thing happen for a renter, a checklist written in plain English with a reference to the code.”
Van Heeswyk said the checklist would be posted on the borough’s website.
Yunghans added that it is great when residents email the commissioners with questions.
“I encourage people to email all three of us and we’ll find the right person to address the issue, move forward and respond,” Yunghans said.
Van Heeswyk said the three commissioners cannot reply all because of the commission’s regulations.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
