An appellate court has sided with a developer that will be bringing a new residential complex to the site of a budget hotel, which will be welcoming guests for the final time this upcoming summer season.
Back in early 2023, Edelman Investment Group LLC won approvals to revamp three properties including the Belmar Inn. The parcels, known as 108 and 112-114 Twelfth Avenue, include the hotel and a one-family rental property.
The redevelopment calls for the merging of the lots and demolition of all the structures in favor of a four-story, 24-unit residential project with a decidedly modern look. The complex will exclusively consist of two-bedroom units, include 47 parking spaces, and sport an amenity roof deck with sprawling views of Belmar.
The homes are anticipated to be sold as condos, and the project includes a variety of site improvements, such as stormwater management facilities, underground utilities, fire sprinklers, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging stations. The exterior of the building will consist of stucco, soft white trim, and a brown metal roof.
The development was controversial when approved, as Belmar’s Zoning Board granted a total of 11 variances for the application. The most significant of which related to building height (42.5 feet where 35 is allowed) and four stories where 2.5 is the maximum under current regulations.
A group of Belmar locals challenged the development’s variances in Monmouth County Superior Court shortly after it was approved. Judge Gregory Acquaviva ruled in favor of the Zoning Board last year, writing that the town’s zoning board acted appropriately when considering all the project’s factors.
“The evidence demonstrates that the development is not only not a detriment but a positive contribution to Belmar, refuting any substantial harm to the public good as the Board had determined,” Judge Acquaviva ruled.
The plaintiffs quickly appealed the decision, but a state appellate court upheld Belmar’s approval last month. The panel wrote that the zoning board’s decision to grant variances to the project was consistent with Belmar’s master plan, which encourages the phasing out of rooming houses like the Belmar Inn.
While an exact demolition date has not been announced for the parcels, the Belmar Inn is still taking reservations for the upcoming summer season. The rooming house, which boasts 40 units and can accommodate about 80 guests, has stood on the land for about 80 years and is expected to remain open through the end of 2025.
