By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Lush wetlands that shimmer in a vibrant green color scheme unfold for miles and miles in stunning scenery along the back bays of Sea Isle City in the area of 70th Street.
Mature cedar trees, tall marsh reeds and placid tidal pools add to the natural beauty of this idyllic setting untouched by development.
A family that owns some of the picturesque wetlands at the bay end of 70th Street and other nearby streets has expressed interest in donating 75 lots to Sea Isle in a move that would bring the property under the city’s control.
As a first step, City Council voted Tuesday to cancel a total of $150 in delinquent taxes on all of the lots in order to begin the process that would ultimately transfer the land from private to public ownership.
“The land is predominantly wetlands, and it makes sense to bring it into the city inventory,” Mayor Leonard Desiderio said during the Council meeting.
The family of Michael J. Desiderio, no relation to the mayor, has owned the wetlands property for decades, Mayor Desiderio said.
Since the property consists mostly of environmentally sensitive wetlands, the lots are protected from being developed for housing or other construction.
“You can’t build on them. They are totally useless. They are underwater and you can’t do anything with them,” the mayor said in an interview after the Council meeting.
As a result, the taxes are miniscule on each lot, usually only about $2 to $4, he pointed out.
The mayor said he believes Michael J. Desiderio’s late father purchased the wetlands property in the late 1950s. At that time, New Jersey did not have strict environmental laws that protected coastal wetlands from development.
“Before the laws were changed, you could truck in sand or gravel to build on the wetlands,” the mayor said.
However, the 75 lots that the Desiderio family may donate to the city remained undeveloped over the years. Now, the family no longer wants to retain ownership of the property, the mayor said.
Exactly how the Desiderio family acquired the wetlands property in the first place is not altogether clear.
“We believe it is more than likely that the property was handed down by the previous owner, possibly a relative,” city spokeswoman Katherine Custer said.
Assuming that Sea Isle is successful in taking ownership, there are no plans to do anything with the wetlands property. It will remain untouched, the mayor said.
The lots are primarily located along the bayfront at the end of 69th, 70th and 71st streets, Roberts Avenue and Kneass Street, according to the City Council resolution authorizing the cancellation of the delinquent taxes.
