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By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, April 27 introduced revisions to three ordinances governing activities on the boardwalk, beach and on city streets.
The city plans to increase substantially the fines imposed on those who do not adhere to laws regarding dogs on the boardwalk, beach and city streets and motorized bicycles on the boardwalk.
According to city officials, infractions of city ordinances designed to promote the health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors increase substantially during the summer months. The city plans to hire extra Class 2 Special Officers to help enforce the ordinances, but they won’t start patrolling the beach and boardwalk until mid-May.
The penalties for violations of the three ordinances will be $200 for the first offense, up from $25, which Mayor Lance Landgraf called “insufficient,” $500 for the second offense, and $1,500 for the third and subsequent offenses.
Ordinance 6-2023 prohibits operating any type of motorized vehicle on the boardwalk, including bicycles, scooters and skateboards. Ordinance 7-2023 prohibits animals on the boardwalk, except for crossing over to access the beach during dogwalking on the beach hours, which are 7-9 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day and anytime during the off-season. Ordinance 8-2023 requires pet owners to keep their dogs on a leash at all times, whether they are being walked on the beach or on city streets. Certified service dogs are allowed on the beach at any time, but they must be on a leash.
“We are trying to make it a deterrent,” Landgraf said.
He said bicyclists are driving their electric-powered machines, including pedal-assisted bicycles, on the boardwalk at high speeds and erratically, which poses a danger to pedestrians, especially older folks and children.
“With the added volume of people will come more complaints, but our plan is to also enforce it stronger,” Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Kriebel said.
Commissioner Maria Mento said the fine for the third offence is “hefty.”
“I think if you get to the second offense, you’re not going to get to the third offense,” she said.
“We can make these stricter, but we are choosing not to,” Kriebel said. “That’s not really the face of Ventnor we want to project. We just need to enforce the exceptions.”
Landgraf said the impetus behind these hefty fines for dogs was a dog attack on the beach.
He said there would be no exceptions and that the ordinances would be strictly enforced everywhere in the city.
“You have to have your dog on a leash, there are no exceptions,” he said. “If I see someone walking without a leash, I will call the police,” he said.
“Leash your dogs. I don’t mean to be rude about it, but it is a problem,” the mayor said.
The ordinances are scheduled for a second hearing and adoption, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11.
In other business, the board discussed proposed changes to its short-term rental ordinance, which includes setting a scaled license fee depending upon the size of the units.
Administrator Thomas E. Ciccarone said the annual mercantile license fees would be $500 for a studio or one-bedroom unit being rented for a minimum one-night stay; $750 for a two-bedroom unit being rented for a minimum of two nights; and $1,000 for a three- or more bedroom unit being rented for a minimum of five nights. The minimum stays will be enforced on a year-round basis.
Property owners will be required to post occupancy limits established by the International Property Maintenance Code in a prominent location; tenants will be required to present a government-issued identification to the agent or online rental service indicating the tenant is over age 18; and if the owner of the unit is not a local resident, they must designate an agent/neighbor who can act on their behalf and be available if problems arise. Tenants will be required to abide by rules for noise, trash and parking, Landgraf said. Rules will also be posted in the rental unit.
Violations of the ordinance would result in revocation of the license in addition to fines and penalties, Ciccarone said.
Landgraf said the city is trying to find “a happy medium” between operators and residents who don’t want short-term rentals.
“It’s a nice balance, looks at the business of a short-term rental and the integrity of the neighborhood,” Mento said.
After hearing from several residents, including Beth Kwart, who operates numerous short-term rentals in town, additional changes may be made before the ordinance is introduced in the coming weeks.
She suggested the city allow one-night rentals at two-bedroom units to accommodate families with children who come to the area to participate in youth events. Kwart said it is difficult to get a five-night rental during the off-season.
“There’s no way you will get people to come down for five nights,” she said, recommending the city also consider a three-night rental in summer. “The longer they stay, the less likely they are to go out and eat and spend money in town.”
Kriebel also said the city is considering relaxing its parking requirements at the municipal lot on Newport Avenue during the Ventnor City Farmers Market hours, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Friday mornings Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
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