neighbors There’s something about an Atlantic Highlands Planning Board meeting that seems to bring out, or at least highlight, the best of people.
Whether it’s the very professional, yet very inviting way Chairman John McGolddrick runs the meeting, or the provocative but necessary questions each of the planning board members asks when hearing an application that could be the reason.
Or it could be the fact that each of the planners is up to speed on each application before them, regardless of how complex it may seem. Each also asks a lot of questions, not simply rubber stamping something without really knowing all it involves.
Or maybe it’s the people who attend those planning board meetings. They are there for one specific purpose, for the most part, namely an application that affects them personally. They, too, ask a lot of questions, but do it with knowledge and respect. When they object, they do it courteously , spelling out their specific reasons.
This month’s meeting was a perfect example. The applicant for a variance on Third Avenue has been there three times; he submitted his original application, and a courteous and well versed attorney and other professionals to represent him, listened to the people’s questions and objections, and made changes.
At a previous meeting, neighbors suggested more changes, his team of professionals got together and made them. And this week, presenting yet another revised plan, he tried again, a plan obviously submitted strictly because of listening to the neighbors. And when it was over, not only did the applicant thank the planning board for their consideration and attention, but so did the neighbors. In fact, they all thanked each other and the plan as approved is okay with the neighbors.
The application was approved, and the neighbors are still friends and will continue to be good neighbors.
On another application, for variances for a property on Center Avenue that needs a variance for anything it does to change the property, simply because it is non conforming with the present code as it is, one neighbor pleaded for the board to make a decision.
She pointed out these neighbors had already been to four meetings for this application and delaying a decision again meant more hardship for neighbors. She explained they all like each other, they are truly neighbors, and it is painful to have to come back and repeat their objections to a plan that while they like their neighbor, they do not believe fits in with the norm of that friendly neighborhood.
That neighbor, still wanting her application to be approved, asked for more time to think about the latest criticisms of the latest modifications, presumably to give herself time to think about whether she wants to continue to try to make changes that would fit in with the neighborhood or call it quits and keep the neighborhood looking as it does.
Clearly, she wants her variance, considering the amount of time, money and professional expertise she has expended . Yet she wants to pore over, once again, with a possible eye to change, her neighbor’s concerns.
The planning board, rather than force her to make a decision that night, gave her until the December meeting to see what she wants to do. Good for her, frustrating for residents who want to remain good neighbors. And generous for the planning board members who apparently feel it can be decided given a fourth meeting and another two months time.
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