Developer Steve Baglivo handed another loss this week.
Baglivo still pushing back. His Margate Gardens apt complex was approved for 6 units, yet he built and leased out 12.
On March 11, 2026, Judge ordered the mixed-use complex featuring 12 apts, returned to the Margate Planning Board approved 6 units.
Judicial Memorandum of Decision: McLarnon v. Baglivo
Executive Summary
On May 28, 2026, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Atlantic County, issued a formal order denying a Motion for Recusal filed by Defendant Steven B. Baglivo in the matter of McLarnon v. Baglivo (Docket No: ATL-C-89-24).
The motion was predicated on a remote familial relationship between the Plaintiff’s counsel and the Court’s Judicial Secretary, which the Defendant argued created an appearance of partiality.
Following a thorough review of the moving papers, certifications, and oral arguments, the Court determined that the relationship in question was too distant and non-personal to warrant disqualification under New Jersey Court Rules or the Code of Judicial Conduct.
The Court found no evidence of actual bias, improper communication, or substantive involvement by the Judicial Secretary in the merits of the case. Consequently, the Court denied the recusal motion and lifted the stay of enforcement regarding its previous March 11, 2026, Summary Judgment order.
So glad the result (so far) is in Margate’s favor. HOWEVER….
1. How much money did this debacle cost the taxpayers? (Legal fees etc)
2. How do we avoid this from happening again? There was obviously shoddy enforcement. Someone looked the other way. No one has publicly been held responsible. Another Margate Mishap pushed through planning , zoning and commission meetings to be forgotten and swept under the rug with little regard for our citizens.
Steve – will you reimburse Margate for all of its legal and related expenses if your actions are deemed illegal, or are you planning on having your neighbors pay these expenses?
Pete, et al:
i agree. Steve Baglivo, and the various city officials complacent in letting this get so far along, were all obviously negligent in managing the scope of services in their job descriptions, which they have been hired to perform on behalf of all the residents. It was all so ridiculously obvious. All should be held accountable. Residents should not be penalized with the entire weight of the costs. The ‘players’ responsible should be accountable.
Thank you to the neighbors in District 4 who kept pushing and investigating to protect their neighborhood. Without your watchful eye this could have been a Motel 6.
Our town is changing under the watchful eye of this leadership group. Cars and bikes disappearing, fights including a knife slashing at Wawa, noise until 4am, legal costs and settlement costs to quiet employee claims, and so much more.
Next up will be a Master Plan to take us to Wildwood!
Just follow the $$.
More delay tactics being taken by Baglivo and his attorney. Summary judgement has been finalized, but he is trying ways to delay the inevitable.
I’m not sure how much longer this judge will allow the filing of these silly items.
New Jersey courts have several tools to sanction parties for frivolous or dilatory conduct, and Baglivo may already be approaching that threshold.