Major Changes At Former Groff’s Restaurant Location
For decades, Groff’s Restaurant was a beloved staple in Wildwood, known for its classic comfort food and, most notably, its mouthwatering pies.
As the holiday season approaches, those craving a taste of Groff’s famous desserts might be in for a surprise.
Major Changes At Former Groff’s Restaurant Location
The iconic location, which served generations of families and visitors, has undergone significant changes.
While the Groff’s legacy remains cherished in the hearts of many, new plans for the property are set to bring a fresh chapter to the site.
Those who walked by the property throughout the summer may not have noticed, but the entire interior of the building was gutted down to the floor joists.
Everything was stripped so bare that if you looked up from street level on Magnolia Avenue, you could see all the way to the ceiling of the second floor.
This led many to hope that the new owners might renovate the building and transform it into a new restaurant. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
According to a new application to the Wildwood Zoning and Planning Board, this location will be student housing.
Development Details
- Single-Story Residential Building: The project features a single-story structure designed to house ten (10) residential units.
- Capacity for 22 Individuals: The accommodations are tailored specifically for J-1 visa employees and other workers who do not require personal vehicles.
- Aesthetic Renovations: Planned renovations will enhance the visual appeal of the building, aligning with ongoing redevelopment efforts in the area.
Why make this into J1 housing and not condos? This mostly has to do with parking. Under current city rules, they would need to have X amount of spots per condo but due to the location of the former restaurant, parking is not possible.
This would mean the owners could only do two things with this property; make it a restaurant again or turn it into a rentable space that doesn’t need parking.
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To move forward, the proposal seeks several approvals from the local board:
- Use Variance: A request to permit residential units in the Business and Residential Zone (BRZ), where such usage is not typically allowed.
- Parking Waiver: The developers request a waiver of parking requirements, referencing the availability of public parking in the vicinity.
- Acknowledgment of Pre-Existing Conditions: The proposal includes recognition of pre-existing non-conforming conditions on the property, as detailed in the submitted plans.
- Discretionary Approvals: The developers are also seeking any additional variances or waivers that the board may deem necessary for the project’s approval.
This application will be heard on January 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
What do you think about this change?