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Pinelands delays ADA lake path; Egg Harbor City will reallocate DCA funds to bathroom improvements while pursuing path
Summary
After the Pinelands Commission declined immediate approval for an ADA path at the city lake, staff recommended shifting DCA funds to accessible restroom improvements so the city does not forfeit the grant. Council members discussed asking the commission to reconsider and pursuing a memorandum of agreement or further study to advance the path long term.
City staff told the Egg Harbor City Council on June 11 that the Pinelands Commission has delayed approval of a proposed ADA-accessible path at the city lake, citing ecological concerns and requests for additional review. The commission reviewer who examined the application reportedly supported the plan but the agency’s decision-makers asked for more study, which staff said could require a memorandum of agreement (MOA) or an 18–24 month process.
Ryan, the city engineer, said the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) provided ADA funding for improvements and the city must spend the funds in the current round or risk losing them in future cycles. Because the Pinelands delay could prevent timely path construction, Ryan recommended re-allocating the current DCA funding to repair and make accessible the lake concession restrooms and service counters so the city can use the grant now and continue pursuing the path separately.
Council members expressed frustration with the Pinelands decision, noting that similar beach mats and temporary mat installations are used on other Pinelands-area lakes and beaches. One council member suggested sending a letter from the council to the Pinelands Commission urging reconsideration of the approval process. Ryan recommended continuing to pursue the path but said the city must act to spend the funding now to avoid losing eligibility in future funding cycles.
Outcome and next steps: Council did not adopt a specific reallocation at the meeting but directed staff to move forward with eligible work that will use the DCA funds and to keep pursuing the path option through additional regulatory and technical work. Ryan said he would make himself available to residents for questions and would provide updates after the consultant briefing and further contact with the Pinelands reviewer.
