The Seaside Heights Planning Board held a public hearing on April 3rd to consider whether the former Merge nightclub site and adjacent vacant lot should be designated as an “Area in Need of Redevelopment.”  The properties are formally known as Block 4.01, Lots 51 and 66 and are located on the east side of the Boulevard between Franklin Avenue and Hamilton Avenue.  After hearing testimony from Seaside Heights Borough Planner, Keenan Hughes, PP, of Hoboken based Phillips Preiss Grygiel, LLC, and accepting public comments, board members unanimously approved a resolution making findings and rendering an opinion that the property satisfies the criterion for redevelopment area designation under the New Jersey Local Redevelopment & Housing law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1, et seq.).

The Seaside Heights Borough Council at its regular meeting on April 5th will consider the Planning Board's findings and may take action formally declaring the site to be an area in need of redevelopment.

A copy of a report entitled “Area in Need of Redevelopment Investigation for Block 4.01, Lots 51 and 66" dated December 2016, which includes a map identifying the location of the parcels that are the subject of the proposed redevelopment designation hearing, is on file in the office of the Borough Clerk. Click here for a pdf version. The map and report are available for inspection during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-6(b)(3)(c), a redevelopment area determination shall authorize the Borough of Seaside Heights to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire any property in the proposed area in need of redevelopment.