On Wednesday, July 24th, Peter Lomax from the Lomax Consulting Group attended the Avalon Borough Council meeting on behalf of the County of Cape May. Below you will find a memo from Mr. Lomax and his presentation on proposed new building standards drafted by the Murphy administration in Trenton that will force properties in Cape May County, including Avalon, to build to estimated sea level rise 74 and a half years from now. If approved, these standards would have major consequences for Avalon for any property that receives substantial improvements or redevelopment. Although sea level rise is recognized, a sudden movement to estimated sea level rise in the year 2100 is seen as much too aggressive and ambitious, especially in coastal communities that may see individual properties redeveloped more than once before that year. Many elected officials believe this will change the character of coastal communities, greatly elevate residential structures, decrease property values, and provide significant accessibility issues to homes that are built. Please note the public comment period indicated in the memo has recently moved and is anticipated in August. Avalon will update this page when new information is derived. The first link is a power point providing graphic detail of the plan; the second link is the rule proposal that was drafted by executive order and not advanced by the New Jersey Legislature. The Avalon Borough Council will consider a resolution opposing this new rule at the August 14, 2024, meeting at 4:00pm.
