CAPE MAY — As the summer season begins to wane, City Council is looking ahead to construction projects set to begin after Labor Day.
“We are looking toward starting up projects come this fall,” City Manager Paul Dietrich said Aug. 5. “I have a meeting this week with the contractor for the promenade restoration work, which will start up right after Labor Day.”
Dietrich said he is also working on the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank project for sewer and water main replacement that likely will start on Illinois Avenue and work outward.
“The contractor and our city inspector have been in the neighborhoods of that project, handing out fliers to residents, as well as mailing them to be sure that they’re aware that this project will be starting in September,” he said. “I wanted the public to know that’s a legit city inspector coming out for a project in your neighborhood.”
Anyone with questions can reach out to Dietrich or the inspector at City Hall.
Deputy Mayor Maureen McDade asked Dietrich if the moratorium on street openings was provided to residents as well. He said it was mentioned in the letter and the city contacted utility companies about pending work.
Pool setback requirements
In other news, City Council introduced an ordinance amending the zoning code to confirm the intent and purpose of pool setback requirements.
City solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz said the ordinance is updating the intent of the bulk setback requirements in the case of a variance application that comes before the [zoning] board.
“It’s not just fire safety access, it’s still light air and open space, and there’s other planning considerations for why we have setbacks for pools in reviewing [it],” he said. “Councilwoman [Lorraine] Baldwin brought up a good point, which is that our fire safety review does occur routinely when pool applications are presented to the planning or zoning board, so that will get routed to the fire department.”
Gillin-Schwartz added that council may see some value in having that review, even if there’s not a variance application.
“Cape May is a unique town where there may be a building that’s closer on an adjoining property than the setbacks require because of existing non-conforming conditions,” Gillin-Schwartz said. “So, it may be good reason to just have fire review in every case.”
Gillin-Schwartz said he spoke with the fire chief before the meeting, and he indicated that he was prepared to do that.
“It’s not a heavy lift and it’s going to give the fire department a good look at each of these properties when something is changing there,” Gillin-Schwartz said, adding that the purpose of the review is to ensure that the proposed pool location, access and surrounding area do not interfere with fire department operations, access routes or safety requirements.
The amended ordinance will be sent to the Planning Board for review.
Welcome center
Council moved forward with a lease to Cape May MAC (Museums + Art + Culture) for the Welcome Center at 609 Lafayette St. The ordinance’s second reading authorized the lease agreement that would run from Sept. 2 until the end of 2027.
“I just want to thank the City Council, administration, Public Works thus far has been phenomenal working with our staff,” MAC CEO Jody Alessandrine said.
The lease of a little more than two years will give the organization a chance to determine the long-term benefit to MAC and the city.
Mayor Zack Mullock thanked Alessandrine and said they have heard great feedback about the MAC staff and volunteers.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
