Looks like a well-known Margate builder (Steve Baglivo) may have violated zoning approvals? Not just one project, but maybe two non-compliant builds? The Margate Planning Board will sort that out during next meeting.
Esteemed Margate solicitor John Scott Abbott and Mayor Collins are aware of the complaints.
Listen to APRIL 4, 2024 Margate Commission Mtg.
Example #1: Newly built apartment complex located within the 9700 block of Ventnor Ave in Margate.
Many have moved in already says resident Patrick Geddes during public comment. The project definitely has a number of code violations.
Only 6 apartments were approved by the Margate Planning Board, but the developer built 12.
What will Margate Mayor Mike Collins do about this?
As some may not know, the Margate Planning Board is selected by the Mayor. The current planning board features picks from former Mayor Mike Becker, and current Mayor Mike Collins. Ultimately, Mayor Mike Collins IS the Margate Planning Board.
Resident Patrick Geddes: Documents show the Margate Planning Board approved this apartment complex featuring two parking spaces per renter, with three set aside for retail.
Why are off-street parking restrictions in the renters lease? Local zoning ordinance requires 2 spots per renter.
Download Margate Planning Board 9710 Ventnor Ave Docs Here.
Another controversial development in Margate?
The project at 9700 Ventnor Ave. in Margate.
See Margate Planning Board application and docs for Sunrise Tequila project here. According to paperwork, Thomas Baglivo is the architect.
During construction of a roof-top party deck, engineers determined that every wall had to come down due to weight and safety concerns.
Critics of the plan say it’s more proof of a substantial, heavier, outdoor party deck with live music and drinking being built.
Mayor Collins says he’s looking into the situation.
Solicitor Abbott says this could have been a public safety issue.
The builder/developer/property owner did not come back, as legally required, to the planning board when they made major site-plan changes.
Margate Neighbor
Commissioner Maury Blumberg: Is the developer required to re-notify?
Margate City did not stop the job. Why? Solicitor Abbott said city didn’t want to leave a construction eyesore for months.
Who OK’d a plan to let them keep building ‘at their own risk’?
Yet another reason why towns like Margate block live ZOOM video access to planning board meetings. Many controversial projects are voted on when most residents are out of town.
Lamberti’s: ‘lots of progress’ says Abbott. But there’s still an issue with ramps and lights. Structure is higher, but in same footprint due to flood elevations.
Editor’s note: City and planning board may have been deficient in showing neighbors more detailed renderings of new Lamberti’s with higher elevations.
Wonder why live video streams of these meetings are blocked?
notice a pattern here? mayor and planning board playing favorites. corrupt as the day is long.
I keep calling the FBI to investigate them. Going to call again on Monday
We have a summer home on Coolidge Ave. It’s only occupied May to Sept. In Nov of 2022, building started at 9700 which adjoins our property.
Electric bills for Nov, Dec and January topped 2500 kwh, when summer usage comes in at 1100 lbs.
Also, rear ac units were drained onto my property.
We complained to the mayor and the zoning board, but, as we sent registered letters instead of making an appearance our remarks were considered heresay.
This is their usual M.O. Wait til property owners are out of town and then have a meeting.
Disgusting behaviors
Bad decisions aren’t corruption. Poor oversight isn’t corruption. Questionable decisions aren’t corrupt. Bad leadership is just that.
59% of Margate voters wanted to retain their old boys network. Now we are faced with an administration that is run by Tom Collins and John Amodeo who sit smugly behind the scene screwing 100% of the property owners.
41% of the voters saw this coming and voted for another slate.
Margate is changing for the worse. What a poop show!
Maybe the Homeowners Association needs to come back. At least we had a voice as a group.
Now look. Running us over.
Don’t trust that builder. Don’t trust certain realtors. Don’t trust Mayor Collins. Long track record of screwing residents. especially 2nd homeowners with no voting rights. it’s obvious why they dont ZOOM video their meetings.
Wow this reminds me of ventnor and the officials here today just making up their own zoning and construction rules to line thier own pockets….agreed Long track record of screwing residents.
Builder is super shady. [redacted] is most likely paid off. That building and his other buildings are an eyesore.
I hope they tear it down.
There is as much chance of that building being torn down as you do of providing evidence of a payoff.
How did additional 6 units pass the frequent inspections during construction? With a project this size there are usually inspections every step of the way.
Framing, electrical, plumbing. Any reviews of these stages of construction would have indicated 12 units and not 6 were being built.
Did anyone raise the question during construction how 6 turned into 12?
Just asking
Follow the money. Builder is largest donor to current administrations political campaign ($5k). Developer gets what he wants. This is a good old boys network.
The planning board is all builders and a hardware store owner. They don’t care about the community just the construction.
They (Margate mayor /Commissioners) gave builder 7 taxpayer owned parking spaces on bay side of Amherst Ave so he can build another monstrous home completely blocking the bay views.
The City said there was no use for the parking spots. Laughable!
They do this sh*t with zero care for the taxpayers or the community. All self-interest based!
All this stuff needs to be investigated at the State level. Then maybe justice will be served…
I live on Coolidge ave and am worried where they intend to park when that monstrosity opens. They need to stop with building on every square inch of space – enough is enough
Who has the right to say what is visibly acceptable. Sorry, I live here all year long and find the new building as a blessing to Margate.
Visually, definitely acceptable. If there were errors, talk to the inspectors.
Tear them both down. Don’t trust the board. Someone got some big dollar kick backs. No parking as is and this guy added 12 units that equals 24 parking spots either in his lot or street.
Don’t they have applications for permits that specify how many units?
When inspection are done were they different from the application and no one noticed?
Second if you have a lounge with a second floor that will bring in so many more people (not everyone coming will be walking) and no one consider parking. Just asking.
For the apartments, all of the permits indicated 2 bed/2bath units for 201,202,203,301,302,303.
The developers lawyers paperwork also stated 6 units, and up to 4 commercial units with 12 parking spaces for the residential units, and 3 parking spaces for commercial.
The application for the county for the road access to Ventnor Ave also stated 6 units. Modifications were done after the inspections were completed.
I think there are only two options, Make it truly 6 units asap, or maybe take down the vacant corner building to provide a total of 27 parking spaces but even with the vacant building torn down, not sure they can get that many parking spaces.
3 parking spaces for 4 commercial units??? Who is the genius that approved that???
Citizens have a voice and can report the corruption of the current Mayor and Planning Board to state agencies for further investigation.
If you think escalation doesn’t work, take a look at what’s about to happen to the mayor of Atlantic City.
It’s clear there are favors occurring in Margate between city hall officials and preferential builders who donate to campaigns and patronize the only hardware and kitchen distributor within city limits.
Why build a rental unit with 6 kitchens when a unit with 12 kitchens makes Colmar 2x as much profit?
https://www.njoag.gov/contact/file-a-complaint/
https://www.acpo.org/tip/new
I guess this is the new generation where RULES DON’T APPLY. Years ago the CIty of Margate made me rip out a driveway that was widened! It was 3′ over the limit. I don’t know what has become of Margate but I sure can tell you that I am very happy that I sold my house on Coolidge and the Bay when I did. I saw this coming when they were making shady deals in that area. Get out while you can people, it’s only going to get worse. THAT is the pattern I saw starting years ago. It’s not progress, it’s corruption. (You try to break the laws like they do!)