Jean Mikle

@jeanmikle

TOMS RIVER -- A year ago, no houses were for sale on the 18-home cul-de-sac where Dr. Emad Kamel lives in North Dover.

Now 11 of the houses have either been sold, are under contract or for sale. The reason?

"Because of the panic attack everyone has experienced about the value of their homes," Kamel said Thursday night, speaking at a town hall hearing whose purpose was to investigate real estate soliciting in North Dover and another neighborhood off Route 37 close to downtown.

The hearing was the first scheduled by the township under the provisions of a new ordinance aimed at restricting real estate soliciting that many North Dover residents claim is ruining their quality of life. About 45 residents attended Thursday's hearing.

Toms River rules fight real estate solicitors

The ordinance allows the township to establish "cease and desist" zones where real estate soliciting would be banned for up to five years, Administrator Paul J. Shives and Township Attorney Kenneth B. Fitzsimmons presided over Thursday's hearing, and will present a report of their findings to the Township Council.

The council must then decide if the cease and desist provision for real estate soliciting should be enforced in a neighborhood.

Kamel, who lives on Crystal Mile Court, said he and his neighbors have been approached repeatedly by real estate agents attempting to purchase houses for Orthodox Jewish families seeking to move into the area.

Kamel said an agent from Lakewood's Imperial Realty told him, "We're ready to buy the whole neighborhood. Why do you want to live with us?"

Charles Steiner, who lives on Brower Avenue in the Tallymawr development, said real estate canvassing in his neighborhood has picked up in recent months, with agents visiting the area on Sundays and on Christmas Eve. Tallymawr is located near the township's border with Jackson and Lakewood.

"It has been unraveling, and in some cases, scary," Steiner said.

Other neighbors said they were upset after seeing real estate agents driving up and down streets, taking photos of each home.

Thursday's hearing investigated canvassing in two neighborhoods where real estate canvassing permits have been issued. One permit has been issued in an area off Route 37 near Division Street.

Toms River councilman sues church, zoning board

The large majority of permits have been issued for areas in North Dover near Lakewood. Fourteen canvassing permits have been issued by the township in that area, and two more have been requested.

There have been 15 requests to canvass for real estate on Maple Avenue; 14 requests for Vermont Avenue. Other streets in the vicinity of Vermont and Maple have 12 to 15 canvassing requests.

Police Chief Mitchell Little said there have been six complaints filed with the police department about real estate soliciting in North Dover.

Michael DeDominicis, Dino Boulevard, said when he went to an open house at a nearby home, the homeowner told him he had felt pressured to sell after being harassed by real estate solicitors.

"Obviously this is a method of block-busting," DeDominicis said.

Toms River councilman sues church, zoning board

Jean Mikle: (732) 643-4050, jmikle@gannettnj.com



