BRICK – A member of the public objected to a resolution to demolish a long-abandoned and neglected house at 24 Adair Drive.
During the April 9 Township Council meeting, one of two representatives of Korn Finger LLC of Lakewood said he purchased the property in January 2023, and that he is “ready to submit paperwork to renovate the house, lift it and get it up to standard, so I’m asking to delay the demolition.”
Township Attorney Kevin Starkey said the property, located off Drum Point Road in Shore Acres, has had multiple hearings before the Property Maintenance Board, dating back to at least 2021.
“And for years prior to that, this property was in significant disrepair,” the attorney said. “It’s really been a disaster for a while now.”
Starkey said he’d heard that the property had recently changed hands and the new owners were looking to submit permits, but the demolition is authorized to take place in six weeks – on or after May 31.
“I know you have not gotten your applications in, in a complete form to the Building Department, but this has been years and years in the making,” the attorney said.
Starkey said if the men might have an opportunity – if they could get their applications completed and approved by the Building Department – they could move forward.
The attorney said they could attend the next Property Maintenance hearing on April 24 at 3 p.m., and suggested they move rapidly since the township has been waiting a long time to demolish the structure.
Township Business Administrator Joanne Bergin said if Korn Finger LLC plans to elevate the building, they would need a structural evaluation and permits for all work.
“I asked [the Building Department] – they said six weeks minimum, to get permits approved,” one of the men said. “It will be done tomorrow morning,” he said. “Can we get extra time?”
Starkey said the men could apply to the Building Department or attend the Property Maintenance hearing, but the Property Board recommends proceeding with the demolition.
Even if they were to submit plans to the Building Department, the department has 21 days to review, which they should have planned in their timeline, Bergin added.
“It isn’t fair to have this be dormant and unaddressed…and to come here with permits that are not submitted to the Building Department,” she said.
Bergin said she would advise the council not to grant any extensions. “The process is the process,” she said.
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