This story was updated to correct the proposed fine amount. It was incorrectly reported.
OCEANPORT – A proposal for more helicopter flights to Monmouth Park was grounded by residents and the Borough Council.
Now, the council is considering drafting a measure to monitor flights coming in and out of the park. As it is, the park is on the “honor system,” Councilman Robert Proto said.
Monmouth Park is allowed 10 flights a year to a helipad on state property at the tram parking lot on the southwest corner of the intersection of Port-u-Peck and Oceanport avenues.
That’s per a 1998 agreement between the state Department of Transportation, the park and the borough, obtained by the Asbury Park Press.
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In August, Dennis Drazin, the chairman and CEO of Darby Development, operator of the park, went to the Borough Council an asked for more flights but was turned away by a 6-0 vote.
Drazin said the idea was to bring in high rollers to place sports bets. Patrons can place bets on all types of sporting events at Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill.
Drazin told the Asbury Park Press that Oceanport stood to benefit from the added track revenue, which it gets a share of. However, residents pushed back on the idea.
Sam Zimmerman, president of the Jockey Club Homeowners Association, an active adult community near the park, told the Press they want the park to succeed but they’re concerned a full-fledged helipad means “potential noise, pollution and decreased property values,” for them.
Drazin said he could appeal the borough’s decision at the state level, but he told the Press he doesn’t want to fight the town on it.
“I want to be a good neighbor,” Drazin said.
At a council workshop discussion Thursday, Proto sought a better method to count helicopter flights to the park.
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He urged the council to pursue an ordinance to require the park to notify the town in advance of any flights or face a fine that could be as much as $5,000. A second part would be to fine the park if it exceeded 10 flights.
The council agreed to it.
“I think that’s the only way to ensure compliance with the number of flights the borough allows them to use,” Proto said.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; [email protected].