Post by wildre on Nov 5, 2005 9:24:50 GMT -5
From Todays' AC Press
Doo-wop fans look to zoning to save motels
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Saturday, November 5, 2005
Updated: Saturday, November 5, 2005
WILDWOOD CREST-Plans to have the borough's collection of 1950s and 1960s-era motels added to the state and national Registers of Historic Places are on hold.
But Dan MacElrevey, head of the Doo Wop Preservation League, said he is optimistic there are other ways to save the motels known for their neon signs, angular roofs and kidney-shaped pools.
MacElrevey said zoning changes within the borough and a proposed 10-point incentive plan could have the same effect as an historic district - saving the motels.
"If the end result is the same, then it really isn't an issue. If we can use incentives instead of restrictions, the historic district is less important than before," he said.
The incentives include less stringent zoning or variances for additions to existing motels and motels that maintain their existing building footprints.
Borough Commission recently approved new zoning regulations for the motel district, which is home to the bulk of the island's doo-wop motels.
The new guidelines modify building specifications with regard to height, parking, setbacks and other conditions.
"If the zoning and planning in the Crest goes in the direction we're looking at, then we can still protect the motel district," he said.
The proposed historic district extended from Morning Glory to Farragut roads between Atlantic Avenue and the beach. The boundaries have changed over time as some of the motels within the district were torn down to make way for new, multifamily condominiums.
MacElrevey said the preservation league is also waiting for the results of a Casino Reinvestment Development Authority study on the future of the motels before moving ahead with the historic district.
Meanwhile, Preservation New Jersey issued a news release Friday warning about the continued demolition of the doo-wop motels.
In May, that organization named the doo-wop motel district as one of its 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites.
Preservation New Jersey blamed "increased speculation in condominium construction, unregulated development and shortsighted public policy" for the loss of "at least a 100 of these irreplaceable icons of popular culture."
To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:
TGilfillian@pressofac.com
Doo-wop fans look to zoning to save motels
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Saturday, November 5, 2005
Updated: Saturday, November 5, 2005
WILDWOOD CREST-Plans to have the borough's collection of 1950s and 1960s-era motels added to the state and national Registers of Historic Places are on hold.
But Dan MacElrevey, head of the Doo Wop Preservation League, said he is optimistic there are other ways to save the motels known for their neon signs, angular roofs and kidney-shaped pools.
MacElrevey said zoning changes within the borough and a proposed 10-point incentive plan could have the same effect as an historic district - saving the motels.
"If the end result is the same, then it really isn't an issue. If we can use incentives instead of restrictions, the historic district is less important than before," he said.
The incentives include less stringent zoning or variances for additions to existing motels and motels that maintain their existing building footprints.
Borough Commission recently approved new zoning regulations for the motel district, which is home to the bulk of the island's doo-wop motels.
The new guidelines modify building specifications with regard to height, parking, setbacks and other conditions.
"If the zoning and planning in the Crest goes in the direction we're looking at, then we can still protect the motel district," he said.
The proposed historic district extended from Morning Glory to Farragut roads between Atlantic Avenue and the beach. The boundaries have changed over time as some of the motels within the district were torn down to make way for new, multifamily condominiums.
MacElrevey said the preservation league is also waiting for the results of a Casino Reinvestment Development Authority study on the future of the motels before moving ahead with the historic district.
Meanwhile, Preservation New Jersey issued a news release Friday warning about the continued demolition of the doo-wop motels.
In May, that organization named the doo-wop motel district as one of its 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites.
Preservation New Jersey blamed "increased speculation in condominium construction, unregulated development and shortsighted public policy" for the loss of "at least a 100 of these irreplaceable icons of popular culture."
To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:
TGilfillian@pressofac.com