BRIELLE - For nearly 100 years, Manasquan River Golf Club has boasted pristine greens, lush fairways and a view of the river second to none.
Recently, however, that picturesque portrait has been obstructed by what many members and neighbors call an eyesore: a giant golf net.
Ron Dana, who lives on Riverview Drive along the edge of the course, built the 65-foot by 130-foot netting in 2018, but without any permits or official approvals. He is facing four violations of the municipal code and has requested a variance to allow the net to remain while neighbors have launched a protest.
“It was done without any inspections or permits or variances by anyone,” said Patricia Housen, who lives across the golf course from the net on Laurel Avenue. “Was it done properly? How safe is it? Is it going to fall down tomorrow?”
Tony Mascia, another neighbor and club member, said Dana should not object to golf balls near a golf course, “If you buy a house that is on a golf course, you sort of expect that to happen," Mascia said. "It was done without consulting anyone.”
Added Robin Hackett, another neighbor, “I just don’t like looking at it. It does not fit in with Brielle and our community. And it’s a safety issue, too.”
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Several neighbors have launched an online petition demanding that the net be removed. So far, it has garnered more than 200 names.
“The presence of this hideous mega-structure directly conflicts with the quaint and environmentally friendly image that the borough of Brielle prides itself on, as indicated on the borough’s own website,” the petition states.
Tom Hirsch, an attorney representing the golf club, said the net is inappropriate for the area. “The club’s position is that there is no basis in the land use law for allowing a variance for this type," he said.
Borough zoning officials issued a notice of violation on Aug. 13, because the netting surpasses the township limits on fencing, which are between 6 and 12 feet depending on the fence.
The notice stated, in part, “the fence in question exceeds the maximum height of that which is permitted by borough ordinance.” It also noted that if the fence was not removed within 45 days, the landowner would be in violation and face municipal court charges.
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When that deadline passed, Dana was issued four citations between Oct. 16 and April 15. His court dates have been delayed and the next is set for Oct. 29.
Dana, who bought the house three years ago, has also filed an application for a variance to allow the net to remain. He did not respond to requests for comment, but his attorney, Keith Henderson, said he has the right to a net to protect his land and home.
“The problem exists that you’ve got to stop hundreds of balls from entering his property.” said Henderson, who claims several balls have gone through windows and landed when workers were on site. “It’s a dangerous situation but there are ways to address it.”
Henderson said the home was built in 1920, two years before the golf course, and at a time when golf equipment was not as powerful as it is today. He said balls that would have never reached his client’s property 80 years ago now come barreling through.
He also said Dana never obtained permits or approvals because he did not think he needed them “to put up a safety net.”
The Brielle Planning Board met June 11 to consider the issue and the violation but came to no decision. It is not expected to consider it again until Sept. 10 due to scheduling issues.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is investigating if the large netting violates any DEP standards because of its proximity to the river.
DEP documents indicate no NJDEP land use permit was obtained. It also notes that large stone anchors used to weigh down support ropes were placed along the riverside and may be an intrusion on wetlands.
Joe Strupp covers Western Monmouth County and education for APP.com and The Asbury Park Press. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and 732-643-4277.
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/communitychange/2019/07/03/brielle-man-built-giant-net-stop-golf-balls-neighbors-arent-happy/1622927001/
2019-07-03 09:00:00Z
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