Jean Mikle

@jeanmikle

TOMS RIVER -- An ordinance creating a cease and desist zone that would ban real estate soliciting in parts of North Dover is scheduled to be introduced at Tuesday night's Township Council meeting.

The measure would establish a zone in North Dover where real estate soliciting would be banned for up to five years.

Residents who live within the zone who still want to allow real estate solicitation will have to opt in by filing a statement with the township clerk's office.

The council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 at town hall, 33 Washington St.

Assistant Township Attorney Anthony Merlino said Monday that the exact boundaries of the zone have not yet been finalized, but will be available in time for a public hearing on the ordinance. The public hearing is likely to be held at the council's Feb. 23 meeting.

The area under review is roughly bounded by Route 70 to the west, the Toms River/Lakewood border to the north, Cox Cro Road to the south, and New Hampshire Avenue to the east.

The Asbury Park Press NJ | New Jersey News | app.com

At a Jan. 21 hearing on establishing a cease and desist area, several North Dover residents testified about real estate solicitors who visit their neighborhoods regularly, including on Sundays and holidays.

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.

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Explosive population growth in the Orthodox Jewish community in nearby Lakewood have led real estate solicitors to seek properties in neighboring areas, including Jackson, Howell and North Dover.

Fourteen real estate canvassing permits have been issued by the township in the area of North Dover near the Lakewood and Jackson borders, and two more have been requested, according to Township Clerk J. Mark Mutter.

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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.

Merlino said Township Attorney Kenneth B. Fitzsimmons and Administrator Paul J. Shives have prepared a report on the hearing that the council is reviewing.

"The final map is still being developed," Merlino said. "Preliminarily, we can confirm that the contemplated zones include many of the same areas that were depicted in the maps prepared at the public hearing, and are concentrated in the northern sections of the Township. The boundaries could be enlarged or contracted based on council’s review."

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