On Wednesday night, the Toms River Council tabled an expected vote on a proposal to repeal the controversial downtown redevelopment plan.
Back in 2018, former Mayor Mo Hill's administration changed the zoning in the bulk of the downtown area to allow property owners to make the most of what they have. There were 10% of buildings that were allowed to go up eight to ten stories. The rest would be lower, and of staggering height to create visual diversity. There would also be parking, parks, open recreation, and other amenities.
Although these ordinances went into effect back then, very little actually changed downtown. There was only one notable exception.
Under the previous administration, the crime-ridden Red Carpet Inn was demolished and the land purchased by the town. Capodagli Property Co. originally planned two, 10-story apartment towers over ground-level retail and a boardwalk around the river in that area. This boardwalk would be for passive recreation, not for rides and games like in Seaside. This plan was changed to six stories during the heated election last year. Other amenities, such as an amphitheater, remained unchanged.
Earlier this year, Mayor Daniel Rodrick, who said his win last year over Hill was the residents’ rejection of development plans like this, profered a proposal to repeal the downtown redevelopment plan.
Rodrick said the repeal was necessary because the plan would have allowed for 150-foot buildings that were not wanted by residents and other elements of the redevelopment plan, including one that would allow for PILOT agreements — where developers would make a lump-sum payment in lieu of paying property taxes (which would rise) yearly — hurt the town.
Capodagli wasn’t going to pay taxes on the property, but rather a payment in lieu of taxes directly to the town. Rodrick’s concern was that families would be moving into the apartments, adding to the school budget, but the school would not get any taxes for this project.
Councilman Justin Lamb supported the move, saying “The voters were crystal clear. They don’t want 150-foot buildings downtown. They don’t want affordable housing downtown. They don’t want a city within a city.”
The Council was expected on Wednesday night to vote on final reading to repeal the redevelopment plan.
However, the matter was pulled, with the Council explaining, "we want to study the matter more." The Council added that they will refer the matter to the Planning Board for their recommendation.
As previously reported here on FAA News, back in August 2024, Rodrick nixed the plans for the multi-story waterfront residential and commercial complex on the downtown riverfront. The developers who expended $3.2 million to obtain the approvals immediately slammed the Township with a lawsuit over the matter.
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