This Jersey Shore Town Wants To Limit Public Access To The Beach

There is one Jersey Shore town that is not exactly spreading the love this Valentine's Day.

The Borough of Deal is currently being sued because the town sold a patch of land that was only valued at $160,000 to be purchased for $1 million by a private property owner which now may limit the public's access to the beach.

According to NJ.com, "the Deal Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 in December to vacate the beach end of Neptune Avenue, a public street near Deal’s southern border with Allenhurst, and to authorize the sale of the .165-acre parcel for $1 million."

What does this mean for residents? That this beach access point may be no longer accessible to the public which doesn't sit well with most.

“It’s a sad day in Deal," said resident Barbara Coffey, who fears moves by the borough will eliminate other access points at the end of Roosevelt Avenue and a path used by surfers at Ocean Lane. "This is one of three access points the town they’re trying to get rid of.”

“It’s just a recurring problem not only happening in Deal, but up and down the coast here," said Andrew Chambarry, a lawyer and chairman of the foundation’s Jersey Shore chapter, who grew up spearfishing on the shore as a native of nearby Ocean Township. "Municipalities will vacate street access points to benefit adjacent homeowners, to keep the public away from the beaches that they have a legal right to enjoy."

There is one silver lining. The Mayor chimed in saying that this private land owner's generous purchase of $1 million will go towards other costs for the town that otherwise would have come from the residents' taxes.

I would just warn Deal to be careful -- you keep taking away access points one by one until there are none left. I mean, have you seen The Lorax?

Take a look at the original articles HERE and HERE.

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