Minutes of the Seawall Promenade Committee
City of Cape May
November 12, 2017
Attending: Scott Maslow, Bobbi Stokes, Joe & Nancy Schlitzer, Mary & Ted McKenney, Michael Jones, Dave Martz, John Van DeVaarst, Jerry Inderwies
Items discussed:
- Scott started the meeting by referencing the conference that just took place in Annapolis, Keeping History Above Water, which was organized to discuss ways to protect the historic buildings in the town. Please see link
- It was mentioned that the timing of this committee is good, post Sandy the DEP is
still somewhat lenient.
- Concerns were expressed that some East end homeowners may have opposition to the raised seawall.
- Questions were raised as to what the boundaries should be of the new seawall. How high and long. On the Cove end it would most likely incorporated the existing jetty and on the Poverty Beach end, going to the existing rock pile. These were just discussions. John brought up the point that engineers will most likely be deciding these facts.
- Jerry discussed wave action and how our present seawall has really never been tested. How high is our current seawall? And how much protection does it offer as it stands now? Questions to be answered.
- The bike path aspect of the project was discussed. The types of paths, such as hard like we currently have or soft such as decking material. We are going to look to coordinate with the Bike Committee on these questions and work with them to incorporate our thoughts.
- John offered to draft a Mission Statement for the group. Please see below and we can discuss at our next meeting.
The mission of the Cape May City Promenade Committee is to:
To minimize the potential for flood damage as a result of storms for the Cape May City
To maximize the potential for walking and bicycle use in lieu of vehicles to sustain the environment in Cape May City
To maximize the potential for increased tourism by providing an esthetically pleasing promenade for tourist and residential use.
To maximize safety by removing bicycles from Beach Ave.
To maximize the potential for increased tourism at the State Park by linking Cape May City to Cape May Point with a bicycle trail
To increase awareness of the natural habitats within the meadows by use of signage along the bicycle trail for Cape May City to the State Park at Cape May Point.
- Mary and Ted discussed the Restore/Protect Project the harbor coastline on Delaware Ave. She spoke with Gretchen and learned the following information.
The project to restore/protect the harbor coastline along Delaware Avenue was actually identified prior to Hurricane Sandy but did not get momentum until after Sandy struck and a portion of Delaware Avenue actually caved it. At that point, the Mayor Mahaney got the County Engineer (Kent Skellenger) involved. They were able to have Hurricane Sandy Federal Funds applied to this (not sure of the process for requesting this but the result was that the Army Corp of Engineers (ACE) got involved).
The ACE completed their study, developed recommendation, and a public notice was published in January 7, 2017 inviting comment. Here is a link to that
The public comment period ended March 2017.
The ACE recommendation is to redo/add=to the rip-rap along the harbor and plant marsh grass. Gretchen provided comment on behalf of the Audubon Society endorsing the ACE recommendation, highlighting that it creates/sustains natural habitat and will stabilize the eroding coastline.
Gretchen in not sure of the status of this project at this point. Since Delaware Ave is a county road, she said that the County Engineer is the one closest to the project and he would be the best source of further information.
Gretchen supports the goal of the Promenade committee and specifically mentioned that the end of Beach Ave near Poverty Beach area needs stabilization. She offered the following thoughts:
The County Engineer should be involved as soon as possible and will be an important part of this effort. She said that it is likely that the County will have grants, etc. available beyond what the city would have access to
ACE might be a source of information and direction (contact is Adrian Brody)
Because Infrastructure is a stated priority for the President, Federal funds might be available for this effort to reduce damage from flooding and erosion.
Our next meeting is Sunday, December 10th at 1:00.