Well I think he should try to understand that people wouldn’t be upset if his “development concept” wasn’t a five story building with 30 condo units!
If he wants to improve the building, then by all means, improve it. Just keep it within the confines of what’s there.
This is about money. It’s not about Belmar. It’s about squeezing every dollar possible out of the property. Which is fine as long as you’re honest about it.
I believe he probably does love this town, but building a five story monstrosity with 30 condos on the corner of Ocean and 4th is an extremely odd way of showing it.
2 things can be true at the same time. La Dolce Vita can be a great restaurant that many enjoy (including the views of the Ocean), it’s owner can be a great resident, who loves Belmar, and his proposal of a 5 story building (that does not include a restaurant and has a first level of parking along Ocean Avenue) is not wanted in Belmar. If you listen to the Council meeting, no one criticized the restaurant. The discussion was about the objection to the Fair Share housing plan and why the Borough would not support this project. That’s all. While it is true that property owners can wish to improve their properties, there is a Master Plan or zoning or planning variances that must be dealt with. His proposed project did not comply with either. He is forcing the Borough to defend his objection at the cost to taxpayers. Love the restaurant, dislike the plan. That’s all.
And this morning, this was one of the Coast Star’s free access articles –
https://starnewsgroup.com/2025/12/18/business-owner-defends-ocean-avenue-development/
LaDolce Vita doesn’t have ADA parking required by law
Well I think he should try to understand that people wouldn’t be upset if his “development concept” wasn’t a five story building with 30 condo units!
If he wants to improve the building, then by all means, improve it. Just keep it within the confines of what’s there.
This is about money. It’s not about Belmar. It’s about squeezing every dollar possible out of the property. Which is fine as long as you’re honest about it.
I believe he probably does love this town, but building a five story monstrosity with 30 condos on the corner of Ocean and 4th is an extremely odd way of showing it.
2 things can be true at the same time. La Dolce Vita can be a great restaurant that many enjoy (including the views of the Ocean), it’s owner can be a great resident, who loves Belmar, and his proposal of a 5 story building (that does not include a restaurant and has a first level of parking along Ocean Avenue) is not wanted in Belmar. If you listen to the Council meeting, no one criticized the restaurant. The discussion was about the objection to the Fair Share housing plan and why the Borough would not support this project. That’s all. While it is true that property owners can wish to improve their properties, there is a Master Plan or zoning or planning variances that must be dealt with. His proposed project did not comply with either. He is forcing the Borough to defend his objection at the cost to taxpayers. Love the restaurant, dislike the plan. That’s all.