State gives Takanassee developer more time DEP gives beach club developer extension to submit revised plans BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer The proposed developer of the historic Takanassee Beach Club in Long Branch has asked the state for a second extension to finalize plans for a luxury housing project at the Ocean Avenue site. Takanassee Beach Club was formerly a life-saving station. The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has not granted the full 30- day extension to Takanassee Developers, according to DEP spokeswoman Elaine Makatura. The agency did, however, grant an undetermined amount of additional time and has agreed to work with the developer on finalizing the plans, Makatura said. "They have already received one 30-day extension," said Makatura on Tuesday. "The department is working with them to get from them the information necessary to make an informal decision. "We will respond to them in writing on a timeline [for the final plans]," she added. The developer originally applied to the state's coastal land-use agency for approval to build 21 luxury homes on the 5-acre oceanfront site. The application for a Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) permit is currently pending before the DEP. On Oct. 3, the developer submitted a second request for an extension on the final plans, according to Makatura. Revised plans are expected to be submitted to the DEP, which Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger said he believes will be a scaleddown version of the project. The developer's attorney, Jerold Zaro, did not return phone calls seeking comment on the development plans by deadline Tuesday. Unger, who has been advocating with a group of concerned environmentalists, activists and officials to preserve the site, said last week that he is "deeply disappointed" with the DEP's decision. "The powers behind the developer money and developer influence for approving this unnecessary luxury condo have no regard whatsoever for history, for culture, for the Shore community's desperate desire to retain the few historic sites we have left," Unger said in a press release. "Governor Corzine needs to step in and issue an executive order to halt this development application and show the state's voters that he has the courage and vision to lead us, not to blindly let developers again and again plunder our coastline for private gain," he said. Principal owner in Takanassee Developers is Isaac Chera of Elberon, whose attorney, Zaro, is a partner in Long Branch City Attorney James Aaron's law firm, Ansell Zaro Grimm & Aaron of Ocean Township. Makatura said that the decision on the CAFRA permit is pending until all documents are submitted and reviewed regarding the developer's application. The beach club property is currently owned by Ginger Peters, her brother Scott Peters and their sister-in-law Kristen Peters and Takanassee Developers is the contract purchaser. Scott Peters has been vocal in saying that he does not want to sell the property. However, Ginger Peters took her family to court almost three years ago to force the sale of the property. She contends that the sale is necessary because she needs the funds for continued care for cerebral palsy and spinal stenosis. Superior Court Judge Alexander D. Lehrer, a former member of the Ansell law firm, ruled in favor of Ginger Peters and ordered the sale of the property that has been owned by the Peters family since 1680. In an effort to save the beach club property from being developed, Unger, along with Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider and representatives of Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) and Assemblyman Sean Kean, held a press conference in July to urge voters to approve a $200 million preservation bond initiative on the November ballot. The Garden State Preservation Trust bond, if approved, would make preservation funds available in the state which could be used to acquire the estimated $10.7 million beach club, according to Unger.