Nearly 40 Percent Of Waterfront Properties In Berkeley Township Are In Dreaded 'V Zone'
Township officials will continue to the fight against FEMA designation, mayor says
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Although a recent meeting with representatives from Gov. Chris Christie's office was productive, Berkeley officials will continue to oppose FEMA's advisory base flood elevation guidelines, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.
Amato, Councilman John Bacchione and Councilwoman Judy Noonan met on Friday state representatives to discuss the guidelines - also known as ABFEs - and disaster financing.
"Basically, we are under the impression that the maps could change," Amato said. "We strongly stressed our main issue is nearly 40 percent of our maritime area is now in the velocity "V-zone".
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the advisory maps in mid-December. It recommends elevations at which a property can survive a 100-year storm with relatively minor damage. It also maps Velocity Zones (V Zones), where properties could sustain damage from storm waves of at least three feet on top of flood waters. Recommended elevations in V Zones are higher.
Amato and Township Council President James J. Byrnes - who represents the Ward 1 section of the township - also went to Trenton last week to meet with state officials to voice their concerns.
Township officials will continue to oppose the 'V' zone designation in many areas over the next few months during the regulatory process, Amato.
"We will state our case why the V-zones should be scaled back," the mayor said. "There is no wave action in Glen Cove, Berkeley Shores or Toms River Shores to warrant these designations."
Amato also said decimated sand dunes in Island Beach State Park may have been responsible for much of the flooding in waterfront areas in Bayville.
"Something needs to be done with having dunes installed on Island Beach State Park," he said. "The flooding of Barnegat Bay - which in my opinion, caused flooding on the mainland sections of Bayville - was a combination of not having a dune system in place, the full moon causing the tide to rise and the drastic wind shift. Unfortunately, It was the perfect 100 year storm."
Township officials are also planning another informational session soon to help residents through the permit and rebuilding process, Amato said.,
The following are projected National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) annual flood insurance premiums for V Zone properties with $250,000 residential building coverage:
| Lowest Floor Elevation | No Contents Covered | $100,000 Contents Covered |
| 3 Feet Above | $2,403 | $2,923 |
| 2 Feet Above | $3,278 | $4,048 |
| 1 Feet Above | $4,728 | $5,918 |
| At BFE | $6,803 | $8,603 |
| 1 Foot Below | $9,003 | $11,583 |
| 2 Feet Below | $12,074 | $15,764 |
| 3 Feet Below | $15,524 | $20,474 |
| 4 Feet Below | $17,334 | $23,304 |
| 6 Feet Below | $23,449 | $32,019 |
john
11:47 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
this is going to wreak havoc on real estate values ! !
foggyworld
12:20 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Good Luck Point isn't mentioned here and should be. This is the oldest part of coastal Bayville and as a result many of the houses were built before pilings were dreamed of. The houses that were built on pilings all survived the ravages of the storm. So if people return and either build anew or raise their houses, that V zone would be completely inappropriate. Frankly, it is now. We are not on the ocean or the Gulf and yet are being tarred with the worst possible rating by Fema which frankly hasn't spent a tremendous amount of time in the area nor have they considered the history of development.
By behaving the way they are, they are making it financially impossible for many people and in effect they are pushing the Middle Class out of western Barnegat Bay. Based on their track record of not serving any community particularly well after any disaster, their power should be cut way back and our return ought to be one that includes from the get go the residents who have been affected. There is too much top down stuff going on.
And yes, Good Luck Point residents do want to return and would appreciate being included in these official remarks and movements.
Booradley
12:57 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
So if my property value has dramatically decreased I expect a major tax break and possibly a refund! I'm on a fixed income and can't afford to pay for flood insurance or raise up the house. Who is going to buy my house?
foggyworld
9:12 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
You should seek out the Council member that represents you. If you are a senior citizen there are some special rules based on income that could well be of much more help to you. The reductions being discussed now apply only for a brief period of time and when the neighborhood is back in order everyone in it will be reassessed yet again and most likely taxes will go up quite a bit.
If you do not have a mortgage you will not be be required to buy flood insurance. If you are in a zone that the code soon will say folks have to elevate their homes you may or may not have to comply. That's why you need to see your Councilman or woman.
Someone down the road may buy your house as a tear down and then build a new house that meets all the new requirements if that new owner needs a mortgage on the purchase of your property.
Right now it's very messy because the rules are not in set and the building codes are the same as they were the day Sandy hit. But your tax situation hopefully will be covered by the senior citizen breaks that are based on income.
And down the road, it is unlikely but possible that the government will buy entire neighborhoods out so if you ask for a tax reduction based on a lower assessment that could well give you less money than if you passed this temporary reduction by.
There are no solid answers and there won't be until probably September. Right now plan on enjoying the summer but again, get in touch with your representative.
ChiefWahoo
1:55 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I guess living on the water isn't all its cracked up to be ???
Lower the property values to fair value. And give back all the money you robbed from waterfront owners these past 2 years.
If I didn't know better , it looks like Berkeley has a structural problem that cannot be solved.
foggyworld
5:48 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Chief, it is called one-party rule that smacks of a dictatorship.
NJHOMER
3:36 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Just got my property tax reassessment notification from Berkeley Twp for my Glen Cove home. They lowered the value 3% and ignored the fact that my home is still being valued way above fair market value even before the flood. I am filling out the form to file an appeal with the County. Did anyone else receive there reassessment?
Poindexter McSmash
9:19 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
They better be right about more storms coming to kill us all.
The government has always wanted this land along the coast for military purposes.
Look around and see everyone freeking while we become government slaves...
~ Have a nice day! ~
foggyworld
2:33 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Your point is astute and one has to wonder just how many hidden agendas are out there. Obviously, we are not being told the truth about anything.
Danielle Sloan
3:43 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Foggyworld youre obviously one of my neighbors, good luck point has not been taken care of at all. It's a shame, we've had our home there for over 45 years.
foggyworld
5:50 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Yes, I am your neighbor and I have never in my life seen neglect by a Mayor and a Town Council that could come even close to what is - or more correctly, what isn't - going on.
Peter M. Clausen III
1:59 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2013
read "Common Sense" by Thomas Payne, and you will understand why we are where we are.