CITY OF NORTH WILDWOOD PLANNING BOARD

RESOLUTION PB-08-2026

 

A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE ENTIRE CITY OF NORTH WILDWOOD BE DESIGNATED AS AN AREA IN NEED OF REHABILITATION PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14

 

WHEREAS, the Local Redevelopment & Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq. (the “Redevelopment Law”), authorizes municipal governing bodies to designate areas in need of rehabilitation upon satisfaction of the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14(a), an area may be designated as being in need of rehabilitation where one or more of the statutory conditions exists; and

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14(a) permits the designation of an entire municipality as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation based upon the overall conditions & needs of the community & further provides for the referral of a proposed designation resolution to the municipal Panning Board for its review & recommendations; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of North Wildwood (the “Governing Body”) referred to the City of North Wildwood Planning Board (the “Planning Board”) a proposed resolution entitled “Resolution Designating the City of North Wildwood, County of Cape May as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation,” for the Planning Board’s review & recommendations pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14(a); and

WHEREAS, a municipal-wide study was undertaken & Tiffany A. Morrissey, AICP, PP, prepared a report dated October 2, 2026, entitled “Rehabilitation Designation Municipal Wide City of North Wildwood, Cape May County” (the “Report”), which the Planning Board has received & reviewed & which is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A; and

WHEREAS, the area examined in the Report (the “Study Area”) consists of the entire City of North Wildwood, including all blocks & lots within the municipal boundaries, as depicted on the Zoning Map set forth within the Report; and

WHEREAS, based upon the City’s 2025 tax assessment records, the Report identifies 9,183 residential dwelling units within the Study Area, of which 4,873 were constructed before 1976, representing 53.07% of the City’s housing stock, thereby satisfying the criterion set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14(a)(2) that more than half of the housing stock in the delineated area is at least 50 years old; and

WHEREAS, the Report further concludes that a program of rehabilitation, including improvements to existing residential & commercial properties & encouragement of reinvestment, may be expected to prevent further deterioration, support housing stability & economic vitality, & promote the overall development of the City; and

WHEREAS, the Planning Board conducted a public hearing on October 14, 2026, at which it received a presentation from Nick Ranieri, Esquire during which it considered the Report, the conditions existing throughout the Study Area, testimony from Ms. Morrissey, and provided an opportunity for public comment, and the Board thereafter voted to recommend that the Governing Body move forward with designating the entire City as an area in need of rehabilitation; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Board of the City of North Wildwood, County of Cape May, State of New Jersey, as follows:

1.                  The foregoing recitals are hereby incorporated into this Resolution by reference as though fully set forth herein.

2.                  Based upon the findings, analysis, & conclusions contained in the October 2, 2026 Report, together with the matters considered at the October 14, 2026 public hearing, the Planning Board finds that the Study Area satisfies the statutory criterion for an area in need of rehabilitation set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14(a)(2), in that more than half of the housing stock within the City is at least 50 years old.

3.                  The Planning Board further finds that a program of rehabilitation within the Study Area, as defined in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3, may reasonably be expected to prevent further deterioration & to promote the overall development of the community through rehabilitation of existing structures, improvements to residential & commercial properties, & encouragement of private reinvestment.

4.                  The Planning Board finds that, considering the overall conditions & requirements of the City, a finding of need for rehabilitation is warranted throughout the entire municipal area of the City of North Wildwood, encompassing all blocks & lots within its municipal boundaries.

5.                  The Planning Board hereby recommends to the Governing Body that the entire City of North Wildwood be designated as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14(a), & further recommends that the Governing Body adopt the proposed designation resolution referred to the Planning Board, consistent with the findings & recommendations herein.

6.                  This Resolution constitutes the Planning Board’s recommendation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14(a). The determination & designation of the Study Area as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation shall be made by the Governing Body by separate resolution in accordance with law.

7.                  The Planning Board Secretary is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution, together with the Report & the Planning Board’s recommendation, to the City Council & City Clerk of the City of North Wildwood. A copy shall be maintained in the Planning Board’s records & made available for public inspection in accordance with law.

8.                  If any provision or portion of this Resolution shall be held invalid, such provision or portion shall be severed, & the remaining provisions shall continue in full force & effect.

9.                  This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

 

MOTION TO APPROVE & MEMORIALIZE

MADE BY:                 Mr. O’Connell

SECONDED BY:       Mr. Greenland

 

ROLL CALL VOTE

 

 

Resolution(s) memorializing the Board’s action was adopted at the October 14, 2026 Regular meeting.  Upon memorialization, said decision will be on file & available for inspection in the Office of the Planning Board Secretary, North Wildwood City Hall at 901 Atlantic Ave., North Wildwood, NJ.

 

                                                            CITY OF NORTH WILDWOOD PLANNING BOARD

                                                            _J. Eric Gundrum________o/s/______________     

                                                            J. Eric Gundrum, Secretary

                                                            North Wildwood Planning Board, City of North Wildwood

Dated this October 15, 2026