ASBURY PARK - It's been more than half a year since iStar's luxury condominium and hotel building Asbury Ocean Club opened.

And it's been more than half a year that Asbury Park's Planning board has been considering whether to grant the city's master waterfront developer a key advertised amenity proposed for it — a private, members-only, beach club.

After nearly nine months of testimony and questions before the city's planning board, it still remains to be seen when and if iStar can begin construction of that proposed club at the Asbury Park beachfront.

Monday night's planning board meeting was scheduled to be the final day of witness testimony in the permit hearing process. More than 40 people showed up for the hearing. The planning board only considers the land use issues surrounding the construction. Questioning has dwelled on a number of topics, including stormwater management, parking availability, lighting as well as the design of the building.

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Jennifer P. Smith, an attorney representing iStar, said Monday it is not clear when construction would begin, citing the pending decision from the city's planning board.

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3, where the public will be invited to give comments on the project proposal.

Development: Asbury Park private beach club unveiled to planning board, and opponents take aim

The beach club has been opposed by a citizen-led group, Save Asbury's Waterfront, that argued the club would be too expensive and not accessible to residents of a city with a median income of around $39,000.

The proposed beach club would be located off Ocean Avenue between Sixth and Seventh avenues, built on nearly 25,000 square feet. It would feature a ground floor with a 100-foot-long, 4-foot-deep swimming pool; cabanas; restrooms; an outdoor grill area; and lounge chairs. And it would have a rooftop deck with ocean views.

While the club, situated on the boardwalk, would be private and restricted to members only, it would not make any portion of the Asbury Park beach private.

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iStar first unveiled plans for the club in 2018 as part of its Asbury Ocean Club project, which includes a 16-story residential and hotel building across the street from the Asbury Park Boardwalk. The building had its formal opening in July 2019.

Asbury Park: Hope turned into reality on Ocean Avenue

"Asbury Ocean Club is not just a building; it's the resurrection of Asbury Park,” iStar CEO Jay Sugarman said last year. “It is a symbol of the return of this town to its rightful glory and an opportunity for us to create the ultimate beach lifestyle for those who want the very best.”

In October 2019, a penthouse unit at the club sold for $5 million.

Austin Bogues spotlights the changing development landscape in Asbury Park and Neptune Township. He can be reached at 732-643-4009; abogues@app.com