State Officials Write To Deal Asking To Rethink Beach Parking

ASBURY PARK – In response to Deal’s proposed ordinance to restrict public parking for only beachfront homeowners, State Senator Vin Gopal along with Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey wrote a letter Thursday to Deal’s mayor, Sam Cohen, urging him and the borough’s Board of Commissioners to reconsider the proposed ordinance.

“We are writing to urge you and the Deal Board of Commissioners to reconsider the borough’s proposed ordinance restricting public parking to one side of five borough streets to provide exclusive parking privileges for beachfront homeowners,” the letter states.

“This policy would violate the public’s right to have access to the beaches in favor of making half the parking on those streets exclusive to a handful of private oceanfront homeowners.”

The letter, which was also sent to Stephen R. Carasia, Deal’s borough clerk and administrator, and Acting DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, mentions that the public’s right to beach access has been supported by the courts and by the State Legislature.

“The courts have upheld the public’s rights under the public trust doctrine to use and enjoy the State’s tidal waters and adjacent shorelines,” the letter says.

“Every taxpayer in New Jersey contributes to major beach protection projects such as the beach replenishment conducted on an ongoing basis. This work is performed to preserve the beaches so everyone can enjoy them.”

The letter finishes by mentioning that the town has brought these types of ordinances to the table in the past and ended up having to withdraw them.

“The Deal Board of Commissioners has withdrawn similar proposed ordinances that would have restricted public access to the beaches along the oceanfront several times over the past five or six years,” the letter states.

“We urge you and the Board of Commissioners to reassess this ordinance and not move forward with any plan that restricts public access and would make it more difficult for all the residents of the State of New Jersey to access and enjoy beaches within the borough.”