City Planning ideas of the late 1970s were the inspiration for the original 1984 redevelopment plan which was based primarily upon residential development. Missing the economic window of the 'condo craze' of the 80s resulted in the 1987 amendment to the redevelopment plan. That amendment sought a more mixed use development by increasing commercial zoning.
Carabetta failed with that plan also and filed for bankruptcy protection. By 1990 city planning standards at the State and National levels had evolved to embrace historic preservation, smart growth and tourism instead of relying mostly on residential uses. The 1991 amendment to the plan embraced that new thinking and looked to Asbury Park's strengths. The core of the beachfront, the 'circuit' bounded by Kingsley, Ocean, Fifth and Asbury was rezoned to be entertainment, retail and beachfront commercial. The Casino and Palace block was zoned for amusement comercial. The two blocks along Wesley Lake were zoned for corporate conference and exhibition space to encourage business investment in the failing downtown. High and medium density residential uses were zoned to the North and West of these prime areas. The 1991 plan was an exellent mixed use plan the would have built upon Asbury Park's strengths, history, residential needs and restored the economic balance so important to the entire City. In 2001 all of this evolution, learning curve, planning, and forethought for what would be best for Asbury Park was thrown out the window in favor of a primarily residential plan. Looking back it is the 1984 plan repackaged based upon obsolete city planning and economic models. The 'new plan' is driven by maximizing condo densities, ignoring history, tourism and the identity of Asbury Park itself. The situation was just a bankruptcy settlement without thought to city planning. Land use was developer driven since there was not even a City Planner on staff with the City at the time. Public input and comment was taken and ignored, a situation which perpetuates itself today. I hope this helps to answer your question. Werner --- In [email protected], Lighty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > And that's exactly why the city should seek ways to capitalize on music > tourism. Asbury Park has become known throughout the world for music. Why > anyone wouldn't want to take advantage of that history is beyond me... ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/Y2tolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
