Marven Gardens in Margate is a rare, Jersey shore neighborhood that features lush landscaping and homes styled in Tudor Revival, Mission/Spanish and Colonial architectural design. Can this 100 yr old community hold onto it’s unique and historic heritage? Listen below to audio clips from recent Margate Planning Board meeting from May 25.
Can Marven Gardens in Margate Stop McMansion Invasion?
Slowly creeping into the Marven Gardens residential mix, are a few of the newer, taller, more hulking style of shore property. Some refer disparagingly to these post-Hurricane Sandy houses as ‘McMansions’. Most of the 120 Marven Gardens homeowners want to stop any future growth of these ambiance-killing structures.
Stay small, or tear down and rebuild. After years of unsuccessful attempts, adding a 3rd floor to a home is still not allowed in the Marven Gardens neighborhood of Margate. The most recent try came from residents, Robert & Amy Chipetz. They wanted a minor variance, not a major upgrade. ‘Sorry, no dice’ said the Margate Planning Board.
On May 25, the Margate Planning Board voted NO on the Chipetz’s request for Marven Gardens variance relief.
Listen to audio clips from that meeting:
The Chipetz family wanted to convert a third floor attic into a room for their grandchildren. This would add 39 inches in height to their classic, stucco home. Expanding into their beloved backyard was out of the question. They hoped to ‘bump upward’ a bit.
Opponents say loosening restrictions in this one-of-a kind Margate neighborhood is a slippery slope. Variances like this could snowball and ruin the unique architectural aura and beauty of Marven Gardens.
Will growing families accelerate tear downs & new construction in Marven Gardens? That’s what some fear. Most new construction homes in Marven Gardens are clad in vinyl siding (GASP) and will lose some, or much of their authentic look.
Most of the homes in Marven Gardens in Margate were built in the 1920s. It’s one of the most expensive areas in Margate. Nice sized yards, leafy, quiet and a tucked-away escape from the bustle of summertime craziness.
The job of Margate Planning & Zoning is to fairly and openly administer the requirements for development in Margate as set forth in the Master Plan and the Land Use Ordinances.
The Margate Planning Board said NO by a unanimous vote of 7-0.
- Tom Collins – Decision affects next 50+ years, keep character intact.
- Clem Wasleski- Protect against a town flooded with ‘architectural garbage’.
- Richard Patterson – Residents need to decide what’s best for Marven Gardens.
- Jim Galantino – After all these years, we still don’t want 3rd floors
- Margaret Guber-Nulty – We must maintain integrity of this 2 story community.
- Craig Palmisano- The master plan supports the 2 stories restriction
- Mike Richmond – When you buy into Marven Gardens, know what the restrictions are.
Want more info about Marven Gardens? Looking to buy or sell in Margate or Ventnor? Contact Sherri Lilienfeld at ApexPrime.com