Developer GMH seeks temporary noise-hour extension as part of waterfront redevelopment pitch

Representatives of GMH Restaurant Holdings addressed the Somers Point City Council during the public-comment period on Sept. 24 to request a temporary modification to the local noise ordinance and outline a long-term redevelopment vision for a waterfront property.

Gary Holly Jr., chief executive officer of GMH Communities, said the family has owned the site for more than 20 years and supports redeveloping the property into a higher-and-better use, potentially a boutique hotel over a two-to-three-year permitting and redevelopment timeline. "We really wanna work with the city and the community to come up with a redevelopment plan," Holly said.

Steve Burrell, GMH chief development officer, asked the council to permit the restauranton the site to operate outdoor music until 1 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays during the season, arguing that as an outdoor venue the business is at a competitive disadvantage with indoor bars permitted later hours. "Because we are outdoors, we have to shut off music 11:00. It and that's a real competitive disadvantage," Burrell said. He said GMH would accept objective decibel limits and proposed the change be temporary and subject to review if redevelopment does not proceed.

Council did not take immediate action but thanked GMH for the presentation. Several residents spoke during public comment raising concerns about nighttime noise and tax/legal exposure; Council members indicated they would consider the request, and council staff were directed implicitly to note the request for future agenda consideration and to evaluate enforcement approaches (including decibel standards) if asked to draft an amendment.