ELR Citation: ELR 20073
No(s). 17605 (N.J. Jun 4, 1981)

The court invalidates a township zoning ordinance to the extent that it prohibits recreation as a primary use of shorefront property. It finds that the public trust doctrine and state laws and regulations concerning coastal areas manifest a public policy to encourage greater access to ocean beaches for recreational purposes. In addition, the state's Municipal Land Use Law provides that zoning should encourage the most appropriate use of land. The court concludes that these standards are violated by a zoning rule that allows residential development of oceanfront property but precludes recreational use of undeveloped property.

Counsel for Appellant
Richard K. Rosenberg, Steven E. Brawer
Rosenberg & Brawer
P.O. Box 4, Hawthorne NJ 07507
(201) 423-2300

Counsel for Respondent
Terence P. Farley
Novins, Farley, Grossman & York
202 Main St., Toms River NJ 08753
(201) 349-7100

Counsel for Amicus Curiae State of New Jersey
Stephen Skillman, Ass't Attorney General; David B. Harris
Dep't of Law & Public Safety
2d Floor, State House Annex, Trenton NJ 08625
(609) 292-4925

For modification and affirmance — Chief Justice WILENTZ and Justices SULLIVAN, PASHMAN, CLIFFORD, SCHREIBER, HANDLER, and POLLOCK — 7.

For reversal — None.