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Egg Harbor City tables demolition measure after owner cites repairs, permits and pending sale
Summary
After an attorney for property owners described permits, contractor work and a signed agreement to sell 240 New York Ave., the City Council voted to table a resolution authorizing demolition of several unsafe structures until documentation (building permits, utility disconnects, Pinelands filings) is provided.
The City Council on Dec. 18 delayed formal demolition action after an attorney representing the owners of multiple properties said repairs and a pending sale are under way.
Mark Hammer, an Egg Harbor City attorney appearing in the public‑comment period, told the council his clients received notices of violation on Aug. 18 under Section 2 12‑32A for five structures and had engaged an architect and contractors to seek repairs. "We have entered into a fully executed agreement with Vision Equity to purchase the property at 240 New York Avenue," Hammer said, adding that his clients had obtained a building permit for that address and were aiming to complete a sale rather than see the city demolish the structure.
Why it matters: Council was considering a resolution to move forward with demolition for properties the city has deemed unsafe. Council members and the administrator pressed for documentary evidence — building permits, disconnect letters from utilities and Pinelands Commission correspondence — before authorizing city action or accepting a private party's promise to demolish.
Hammer outlined steps the owners had taken: hiring architect Benjamin Risley to prepare drawings, securing a permit for 240 New York Avenue, contracting local builders (including Dario Block) for repairs, negotiating with potential buyers and applying to the Pinelands Commission where required. He said Westar Construction was standing by to perform demolition on two other severely deteriorated properties (227 and 229 Cincinnati Avenue) once Pinelands approval and utility disconnects arrive.
City Administrator Jerry and other council members said they would accept the paperwork as evidence and recommended tabling the resolution to give staff time to verify the claims. The administrator said, and council agreed, that if the owner presents the permits, disconnect letters, and Pinelands approvals the council will reconsider the matter at the Jan. 15 meeting. On a motion to table, the council voted to table the demolition resolution.
What’s next: The council asked the owner’s representative to provide copies of the Pinelands filings, utility disconnect requests and the signed agreement of sale for 240 New York Avenue to city staff. If those documents arrive and staff confirms them, the council may remove the item from the table and either allow the owner to proceed or move forward with municipal demolition and cost‑recovery if necessary.
Sources: Public comments and council exchanges read into the record by Mark Hammer and discussed by council and the city administrator during the Dec. 18 meeting.
