By Andrew Coen
It has been less than six months since Atlantic Beach club owners declared their intention to sell their properties to and the need to win a zoning change for their vision to occur has not dampened interest.
Stuart Berman, the Managing Principal of Westbury Beach Club who helped form the Atlantic Beach Club Association (ABCA) -- made up of five beach club owners in the village -- confirmed that the Trump Organization has called to ask about purchasing his property. Berman said many other real estate developers have called including Toll Brothers and that with so much interest in buying the beach clubs from such rich developers it makes it more vital for the village to consider the ABCA's proposal.
The ABCA is represented by the owners of the Westbury, Catalina, Sunny Atlantic, Clearwater and Plaza beach clubs who are seeking a vision they have to preserve and enhance the community's quality of life, strengthen the village's fiscal strength, enhance the area's beauty and improve the environment.
"We've been approached by a battery of developers," said Berman of interest the ABCA has received since the owners announced their intention to sell their properties.
Trump recently announced plans to build an oceanfront restaurant and catering facility at nearby Jones Beach. Trump Organization officials could not be reached for comment on the developer's inquiry into developing in Atlantic Beach.
Berman said the ABCA wants to work with the village to improve the community and to make sure if they sell their properties that whatever development occurs on the land will be consistent with what residents want to see.
In the last two years, the beach club owners have come up with six possible plans designed by architect John Capobianco, which include possibilities for various forms of housing, creating a pool for village residents at Clearwater Beach Club and a park where some of the tennis courts now sit just north of Ocean Boulevard. The ABCA's concept has also included replacing the current boardwalk with a promenade, which could only be accessed through Clearwater so as a result would only be usable by village residents.
Even though the Atlantic Beach Board of Trustees and Board of Zoning Appeals ultimately decide whether to accommodate the beach club owner's vision, Berman said Trump needs to be taken seriously because of how much money they can bring to the table in litigation. "He's a big-time player," said Berman of how Trump has the resources to spend the necessary money to try and get the village change their zoning laws.
Atlantic Beach Mayor Stephen Mahler said he has no knowledge of Trump's interest in developing in his village - and that no matter how much money he or other interested developers bring to the table the law will still be against them.
Mahler said Atlantic Beach is protected against having marine recreational development because the federal courts rejected a recent suit brought by Plaza Beach Club owner Jeff Greenfield that sought to challenge the village's zoning. "He's still bound by the law like anyone else," said Mahler of Trump being able to pour millions into litigation to seek the village changing their zoning. "The issue has been closed."
The ABCA held a Dec. 10 meeting to unveil their vision for the future of the community which includes dressing up the area with walkways and trees lining Ocean Boulevard. But residents met the plans with negative reaction that day. Since the forum, the ABCA has considered the feedback they received on Dec. 10 and attempted to modify some of their plans.
Now they plan to permit only single family homes - instead of luxury condominiums - and they will leave the future form of the boardwalk up to the village trustees and mayor.
Berman said the beach club owners currently contribute around $60,000 to Atlantic Beach each year- only roughly only a half a percent of the village's total budget, but that new housing would add to the tax base by bringing in $2 to $7 million initially for the project along with expanded annual tax revenue. The ABCA has also argued that the new housing would benefit the Lawrence Public Schools by attracting young families and increasing the district's tax base.
Comments about this story? Acoen@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext. 210.
