The public seating area at Beach Haven’s monthly council meeting, held at the Emergency Operations Center Tuesday, Oct. 14, was filled by local residents who had come out to voice their dissatisfaction with the number of tent affairs being held throughout the area’s residential neighborhoods.
Most of the residents in attendance voiced their concern with the events being held at 101 Centre St., a former bed and breakfast that is often rented out for wedding parties. The issues, including noise, disruption and parking matters, are affecting the surrounding neighbors’ quality of life, many of them claimed.
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| Photo via Google Quality of life is being compromised for some living in the Queen City of Long Beach Island. |
Julian Chang, president of the Ocean Reach Condominium Association, which is located directly across from the property in contention, said he had a petition signed by 11 condo owners “who do not like the weddings happening.”
“I understand that permits are given for that facility to have them, but there is a huge problem, a huge problem, that requires your attention, and that is to deal with the noise situation,” Chang said. “I could sit up here probably for an hour easily and tell you about some of the instances I’ve had.”
A town ordinance prohibits sound levels from reaching beyond 50 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., or 40 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., when measured in the center of the room where the complaint originates, as well as beyond 60 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and 50 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 p.m. when measured outside the location of where the noise is generated. However, Chang said that in some instances he has logged the noise at 90 decibels from his property.
Many residents agreed that the noise does not quiet down after the 10 p.m. restriction and often gets louder after the police have been called.
“The police have been wonderful, but it’s not the police’s job, and it’s not my job to manage the event,” said Chang’s wife, Kathy, who claimed the pictures in their home are “vibrating all night long” during these instances.
“The noise,” she said, “it’s deafening to the point where we can’t have a conversation; we’re sitting right next to each other. We cannot watch movies.
“We definitely have buyer’s remorse,” she added. “I’ve called the Realtor a few times and said, ‘I’m ready to sell again.’”
Alex Fazelat, who lives next door to 101 Centre, said that although the weddings were supposed to bring revenue into the community, he believes it has “just done the opposite.” Due to issues from next door, he said he has lost two weeks’ worth of revenue from potential renters. His renters, he said, “spend the entire week in Beach Haven and spend all their money here.” In comparison, he said, the people who show up next door for the affairs on the weekends spend just a part of those days in the area and “don’t spend any money.”
Fazelat asked the council to reconsider the law by limiting the allowable tent permits to four.
Beach Haven’s tent ordinance currently allows a limit of eight permits per site per year. Additional permits are limited to seven per site, which are granted upon written approval.
Fazelat also urged the council to enforce noise control and perhaps disallow live music.
The noise is also an issue during the loading and unloading of party equipment from trucks. This also creates a parking problem, many said.
Megan McGonigal, who lives a couple of houses away from 101 Centre, said her relatives have to park blocks away from her home if they visit. This is especially concerning for young children and older adults, others agreed.
“We’re a residential neighborhood, and we can’t enjoy our own homes,” McGonigal emphasized.
Bonnie Lenhard said she has been facing similar noise issues at her residence at 115 Fairview Ave. Although she and her husband have spoken with the neighbors and police on multiple occasions, she said, the issues have not been resolved.
Bob Schlabach of 122 Second St., who said he is fortunate to live far enough away from venues with music, claimed he knows the owners of 101 Centre. Calling them “reasonable people” who have “given to the community,” he said he believed the matters could be resolved between the troubled parties. He asked the council to speak with the business community, to see what kind of impact the business has had on the area.
Councilman James White said the council members have tried to contact Eduardo and Belen Flores, the owners at 101 Centre, “numerous times.” He said the council will present the public with a possible solution plan at the next council meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 10, at 7 p.m.
“We are going to take a firm look at this,” he said. “We hear it, we understand it and we sympathize with you, and we’re going to tell you that by the next meeting, there will be a proposal presented to the public on what we’re going to do. We have discussed it due to your letters.
“To me, the quality of life is the most important thing that we can deal with, and that’s what’s being hindered here,” he added. “It’s not just having weddings, or businesses, or anything like that. Your quality of life is affected. We found that out through law enforcement. We’re going to get back to you by next month, and we hope that you’re all back here and you’re satisfied with what the council came up with.”
After the meeting, Mayor Robert Keeler told The SandPaper that the council will have to discuss the issues with legal counsel to ensure its decisions are appropriate and in accordance with law.
“We’ve been wrestling with this for a while,” he said.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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