Point Pleasant Beach Takes Next Step to Acquire Motel

POINT PLEASANT BEACH-The Point Pleasant Beach Council adopted an ordinance during its April 20 meeting to acquire the Amethyst Beach Motel by either negotiation or eminent domain.

This ordinance was originally introduced last month and passed by a vote of 4-3, with Doug Vitale, Arlene Testa, and Caryn Byrnes voting for the ordinance, while Andy Cortes, Bob Santanello, and Tom Migut voting no, with Mayor Paul Kanitra casting the deciding vote for adoption.

Motel owner John Fernicola told nj.com when the ordinance was introduced that he feels that this action being taken by the borough is punishment for the police having to answer calls at the motel.

Borough officials would like to acquire the property at 202 Arnold Ave. as it is located next to borough parking lots and would help the parking problem that the borough faces every summer.

“This decision was made first and foremost with our residents in mind, both from a financial and congestion standpoint,” Kanitra says, adding that people who come to Point Pleasant Beach during the day don’t mind parking far from the beach and walking, which leads into lost revenue and potential problems in the residential areas.

“When they can’t find parking close to the beach, they push further into our neighborhoods and bring problems with them,” Kanitra says. “Additionally, we also lose out on revenue to offset our tax base. The acquisition of this property will help to consolidate day-trippers in one location and monetize that properly.”

When asked if this move by the council could set a precedent for other beach towns to follow, Kanitra feels that this case is a specific one.

“I don’t believe this is precedent-setting in any way, shape, or form,” Kanitra says. “We have the opportunity to utilize Green Acres funding for the project and fix some major problems in the process.”

After passing the ordinance, the next step for the borough, according to Kanitra, is sitting down with Fernicola after getting an appraisal of the property to hammer out a deal that makes both parties happy.

Once that’s completed, Kantra would like to talk to the neighbors surrounding the area to get input on how they would like to see the property go, but there isn’t a real timetable.

“We want to work closely with the neighbors in the immediate vicinity so that the end product is something even better and less intrusive than they have now,” Kanitra says.

“There is no rush right now. What’s most important is doing this fairly and properly so that it satisfies all concerns and benefits the town on as many levels as possible.”

A request for comment from the Amethyst Beach Motel was not returned.