On a sun splashed, unseasonably warm afternoon Sunday, residents and visitors of Ocean City’s Historic District were out in force, reflecting on their good fortune to enjoy one of the most revered sections of town.
“It’s awesome,” resident Gene Kenny said. “The trees. The old homes. The slate sidewalks. We’re at the Shore but we are a year-round town and this just feels like what it is — a beautiful neighborhood.”
The Historic District is located from Third to Eighth streets encompassing Central, Wesley and Ocean avenues; the Lifesaving Station on Fourth street and Atlantic and Wesley between Eighth and Ninth streets, according to a City spokesman. It has been the subject of added attention recently because of a property maintenance ordinance for the district introduced by City Council two weeks ago.
The ordinance is designed to make the City’s property maintenance code apply to all properties within Historic District. Currently, these properties must comply only if the cost of correcting a violation is equal with 25 percent of the value of the home or property. Given property values island-wide, the current ordinance exempts the historic district property owners from all but the most expensive fixes.
Business Administrator Jim Mallon said there are no existing situations prompting the measure, which is designed to hold all property owners to the same standard.
On Sunday, residents and guests at two Bed and Breakfast inns were more interested in enjoying the beautiful weather and their historic surroundings.
John Harahan of Jenkintown, Pa. and Haley Mead of Harleysville, Pa. were guests at the Ocean City Mansion, a 120-year-old B&B at 416 Central aver.
“We were looking to get away for a long weekend, and it was between here and the Poconos,” John said. “We decided to come here and hoped for good weather. We made the right choice.”
Social worker John and pre-school teacher Haley spent a relaxing weekend “taking walks on the beach, walks on the boardwalk, and walks around the neighborhood,” John said. They also made a side trip to Cape May. “I’ve been down here in September before but this is the first time I’ve ever this late in the year. It’s just beautiful.”
Viola Zborowski of Long Valley, NJ was checking out at the Northwood Inn bed and breakfast at Fourth and Wesley. She stayed in Ocean City for the first time last year and returned for a knitting group’s retreat at the B&B this year.
“I will definitely be back,” she said. “I prefer staying at a B&B to a hotel or a condo. Just the charm of the place. It’s clean and the owners do a great job taking care of the place. I love it here.”
Owners Mary and John Loeper seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as their guests.
“This is a great group and we had great fun,” Mary said. “Now it’s time to watch the Eagles,” she said with a laugh.
John Loeper said preservation of the Historic District was an important priority for the city.
“When you lose your history, you lose your city,” Loeper said. “I can sit here and look out the window and it’s almost exactly the same view as it was 29 years ago when I moved here,” he said.
Loeper pointed out that Fourth street is one of the only, if not the only streets in Ocean City with a corridor of neighborhood businesses including 701 Mosaic, the Fourth St. Café, the former Bakley’s Deli which is slated to become and ice cream parlor and Loeper’s Inn.
“Back in the day, most neighborhoods had corner stores and businesses the residents walked to, but the demographics have changed.”
The property maintenance ordinance will come up for its second reading on November 10, 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 861 Asbury.
First Ward Councilman Michael DeVlieger and Second Ward Councilman Antwan McClellan invited residents to voice their opinions about the ordinance, even if they are unable to attend the meeting. DeVlieger can be reached at mdevlieger@ocnj.us and McClellan may be reached at amcclellan@ocnj.us.
