Legal Setback For Point Pleasant Beach Officials On Motel Plan

POINT PLEASANT BEACH—The plan to acquire the Amethyst Beach Motel property by Point Pleasant Beach officials hit a minor speed bump on Friday when a county judge dismissed the borough’s attempt to get the motel property’s owners to agree to a required inspection.

Ocean County Judge Marlene Lynch Ford ruled that the borough didn’t adhere to guidelines for scheduling an inspection that is set in the state’s Eminent Domain Act, which nullified the right of the town to inspect the property.

Point Pleasant Beach officials, however, said the borough's plans to acquire the property and turn it into a parking lot will proceed.

“The court decision was a technical one that just ensures that the letter of the law is followed and a new letter issued to Mr. Fernicola now that the ordinance has passed,” Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra said.

“Ideally, Mr. Fernicola will come to the table to negotiate without further court proceedings being necessary. Our hope remains to be that we find a mutually beneficial solution for all parties involved.”

A request for comment from Paul Fernicola, the motel owner’s lawyer, was not returned by press time