| Questions and answers from the Annual Meeting
Written questions were entertained from the attendees. Questions and answers are summarized below:
Q: I am impressed with all the savings and benefits through grants and Corps of Engineers contributions. But why have my taxes increased 50% for next year?
A: The value of your house has probably increased. Assessed values of parts of the island where maintenance assessments have not been done recently show a considerable increase in assessments and taxes will probably go up. In some areas taxes have been reduced due to these interim assessments.
Q: Why are there no handicapped parking spaces in the business district? Also there should be some in the beach block.
A: Engineers have presented a handicapped parking plan to the Borough. With respect to the beach block - the residential side streets have not been studied. Residential areas are very controversial since handicap spaces could take away from property owners' parking. Spaces will be marked in the business district this fall on completion of the surfacing. Traffic signage will also be reviewed and painting done.
Q: What, if any, are the rules regarding parking boat trailers (with or without boats) on the streets of Avalon?
A: Boat trailers can be parked on the street as long as they are properly registered by the state.
Q: Do you think that the 28th - 30th Street parking lots can be better used to generate money for Avalon?
A: We do not want to put parking meters in this lot. We pay for beach tags, we should not pay for parking at the beachfront. If charges were implemented then there would be heavier parking in residential neighborhoods, driveways would be blocked.
Discussions are underway regarding meters in certain areas of Dune Drive. Meters could be considered where the first 30 minutes would be free. The Borough wants to encourage turnover of parking spaces (and not have employees taking a spot all day).
Q: I have read that the state is forcing small school districts to consolidate. Does this mean that Avalon and Stone Harbor will finally get together?
A: AHLOA has set up a committee to investigate the situation. There are discussions going on among some School Board members. Avalon and Stone Harbor enrollment fluctuates. Amalgamation might not be bad.
Q: While there have been many improvements to Avalon, especially to the Dune Drive business district we need design review! For example the new building next to Hollywood Bikes - the windows are crooked! These buildings that are half business and half condo are ugly. It seems that it is all about developers making money.
A: Planning Board has sent to Borough Council suggestions for design parameters. Some buildings were started before these changes were developed. The suggested rules have passed Council.
Q: The Borough building on 13th Street, on east side behind the garage is desperately in need of landscaping. When will it be done? Pine trees should be replaced with shrubs that won't overgrow. When? Trailers are unsightly from the street. They should be moved closer to the Borough building and away from the property line.
A: The area near the water tower has not been touched because it was necessary to drill a new well. The trailers belong to the US Army Corps of Engineers and will remain until the sea wall project is finished. They are hurricane strapped down and need a power supply, hence have been placed close to the property line.
Q: What is the length of the sea wall?
A: 3500 feet.
Q: Is there anything we can do about the trashcans put out days before pick-up by week end vacationers, and then the empty cans after?
A: If you see a violation call the Code Enforcement officer and he will respond.
Q: What is the status regarding the elimination of real estate rental signs?
A: Borough Council has adopted a revised sign ordinance; however, on August 9 a lawsuit was filed by Purdy Real Estate and the 7-Mile Beach Realtors Association. Limitations on the length of time for which rental signs can be posted and the position of signs have been restrained. Content-based restrictions are illegal under First Amendment rights.
Q: Please consider balancing "progress" with the charm of what Avalon used to be. We know personally of investors, not residents, who buy property, tear down homes, just to build enormous multi-dwellings to make profits. Although zoning allows three story homes realize these are also built in close proximity to their neighbors, changing Avalon's atmosphere.
A: We have tried to restrict by cutting down density in residential areas. Multi dwellings are no longer allowed in the Ocean Drive business district. We can't prevent the construction of duplexes in properly zoned areas.
Q: Would the Borough be open to creating an Architectural Review Board for Avalon's business district? I (and other Avalon neighbors on 19th Street) are concerned that as the streetscape changes there will be a disjointed look of three story structures, etc., rather that a uniform downtown that's appealing visually.
A: There will be no architectural review board. Planning Board has a professional planner as a consultant and he has participated in the proposed changes to the Dune Drive business district zoning
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