New Belmar law limits lot usage

New Belmar law limits lot usage
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/13/06
BY ERIK LARSEN
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

BELMAR — To combat the construction of box-like houses that have been springing up here over the past decade, the Borough Council adopted an ordinance Wednesday night to limit the lot size of homes.

Borough Administrator Robbin D. Kirk said the new restrictions will make architects and builders think more creatively about home construction here in an effort to preserve the borough's Victorian character.

The council voted 4-1 to adopt the ordinance.

Councilman Bill Merkler was the lone dissenting voice. He said the borough had enough building codes and the ordinance would seek to eliminate the discretion of municipal planners.

Under the ordinance:

Lots that are 10,000 square feet and larger will have a maximum floor-area ratio of 50 percent, with maximum lot coverage for impervious surfaces at 40 percent and maximum building coverage at 20 percent.

Lots ranging from 7,000 square feet to 9,999 square feet can have a floor area of up to 55 percent, with maximum lot coverage for impervious surfaces at 50 percent and maximum building coverage at 25 percent. The maximum building coverage will not include a detached garage of up to 440 square feet for lots from 7,500 to 9,999 square feet and one of up to 320 square feet for lots from 7,000 to 7,499 square feet.

Lots that are 5,051 to 6,999 square feet will have a maximum floor-area ratio of 65 percent, with maximum lot coverage for impervious surfaces at 55 percent and maximum building coverage at 30 percent. Maximum building coverage will not include a detached garage of up to 240 square feet, or any detached accessory buildings if the property is in a particular zone.

Lots up to 5,050 square feet can have a maximum floor-area ratio of 70 percent with a maximum lot coverage for impervious surfaces at 55 percent and a maximum building coverage at 30 percent.

Erik Larsen: (732) 643-4029 or elarsen@app.com