Not everyone is on board with proposed ‘maritime village’ in Beach Haven

A design presented by William Burris, a prominent developer on Long Beach Island, that includes a “maritime village” occupying the public dock, restrooms and 62 parking spaces along the bay between Dock Road and Second Street in Beach Haven received mixed reviews from local residents and officials at a special meeting held by the borough council Friday, Nov. 20.

“It is very controversial because a lot of people like to drive around through there,” said Beach Haven Mayor Nancy Taggart Davis. “But it’s a thought. This is all conceptual. There’s no commitment to any of this,” she emphasized.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
Couples check out The Boathouse during last
year's LBI Wedding Road Show.

Burris’ application to the Beach Haven Land Use Board earlier this month initially requested the creation of a bridge over Dock Road, connecting The Ketch and The Boathouse restaurants to facilitate them as one business. This, Burris hopes, would free up one of two liquor licenses, which he would like to transfer to the Surflight Theatre to run as a mini conference center and hotel with the addition of a bar and restaurant.

The vacant theater complex is going to auction Dec. 18. Burris said he currently has The Boathouse under contract for purchase next fall, following 22 weddings already planned at the restaurant. He is looking into buying The Ketch.

Although members of the land use board unanimously approved his modifications to The Ketch, including an expansion of the dining area and the extension of the upper deck to line up with the westerly border of The Boathouse, the request for the bridge was tabled. However, if supported by local officials and residents, Burris said, he would like to have the overpass built. He also suggested closing Dock Road to vehicular traffic.

According to Burris and his lawyer, who claimed he received verbal confirmation, Dock Road is owned to the centerline by each of the abutting neighbors, with the borough having a right of way for public access. But Jeanette Lloyd, town historian, said the road was deeded to the borough in 1891.

“The first thing that was ever built in Beach Haven was Dock Road. So if anything, it should be memorialized, not sold or leased,” she said, adding that doing so would open up Pandora’s box. “If you do it one time, years down the pike you’re going to have to do it again,” she said.

Taggart Davis noted a formal title search would need to be done and that the town would have to consent to the project.

“He (Burris) can’t close the road off without the town agreeing to it,” she stressed.

Some members of the public, including Colleen Lambert, a local resident for 61 years, said they liked the area’s “hometown charm” just the way it is. Others, such as Jim Vogel, executive director of the New Jersey Maritime Museum located just east of The Boathouse, were open to the idea of improving the location. Most agreed the ideas needed to be viewed from all angles.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.