Great news. The soon to launch miniature golf course in Margate has overcome it’s [hopefully] final speed bump. A lawsuit that threatened the golf course has been dropped.
The recent complaint filed by resident Ed Blumenthal, an Adams Ave neighbor across from ‘Congo Falls’, threatened to disrupt or cloud an otherwise exciting development in Margate.
LISTEN TO ED BLUMENTHAL DISCUSS DROPPING LAWSUIT
Lawsuit here: Edward Blumenthal v Margate City Planning Board
Blumenthal filed suit against both the Margate Planning Board and the developer of Congo Falls, Mark Benevento of ‘Adventure Golf South.’
One of Blumenthal’s main gripes was with how the Margate planning board interpreted the central business district zoning rules. He was against their approval of the mini-golf course at the corner of Adams & Ventnor Ave.
The fight could have wasted much time and money as it worked it’s way through the court system. The process can often take years. Additional appeals can lengthen that process. The only real winners…are the lawyers.
Benevento, who also runs Greate Bay Country Club and a collection of other seashore attractions, stepped-up as a good neighbor. He reached out to those who raised money in opposition to his project. The reach-out worked.
The complaint by Blumenthal was ultimately withdrawn when developer Benevento took the high road. He offered to make some significant changes to the project.
Here’s a few changes to Congo Falls:
- Hours of operation will be cut back a bit.
- Height of second level structure will be lowered
- Property will not have “shuttered” look during inactive (off season) months
- Some additional parking will be provided
- Benevento will reimburse those that funded opposition lawsuit
Edward Blumenthal v Margate City Planning Board
Margate Resident Jay Weintraub: “I applaud Ed’s hard work. I believe Mark Benevento encountered more opposition than he expected. I’m pleased the two sides reached a compromise. However, our quaint residential town is a bit different now. Our Central Business District is no longer a Central Business District”.
Blumenthal, a Margate 2nd homeowner, reported in Philly.com that he won some concessions from the developer of Congo Falls Adventure Golf, the block long, two-story mini-golf course, a few blocks from Lucy the Elephant.
- Benevento will take care of Blumenthal’s $4,000 for his legal expenses.
- The last set of golfers can start play as late as 11p. and close by 11:45 p.
Blumenthal had no problem with mini-golf. His problem was with the Margate Zoning Board, lack of transparency & improper procedure.
Congo Falls aims to be open before the Fourth of July weekend.
I am so happy that the mini golf attraction is still on ! Now we need a water park and some kind of arcade.
Keep the vacationers in town and there money.
Shelley Bevacqua
Margate Resident Jay Weintraub: “I applaud Ed’s hard work. I believe Mark Benevento encountered more opposition than he expected. I’m pleased the two sides reached a compromise. However, our quaint residential town is a bit different now. Our Central Business District is no longer a Central Business District”