West Cape May Sustainability Plan 2009

In the fall of 2009, 9 Master candidates of the Rutgers University School of Planning and Public Policy participated in a Graduate Studio Class. The class goal was to perform a comprehensive study of the Borough of West Cape May which would result in a Sustainability Plan. This Plan was presented to the public on December 10, 2009 and is available here for further public review.

Click Here for PDF

NATIVE PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN

Submitted by

Joseph McMahon, Member, Shade Tree Commission, Master Gardner

Click Here for Information

THE WORLD'S GREATEST MIGRATION

presented by  Joe McMahon, member of Shade Tree Commission and Master Gardener

 Did you know that the Borough of West Cape May stands smack in the middle of the greatest bird and butterfly migration throughout the entire world?  It's true. Each year, in the spring, tens of thousands of birds and butterflies can be seen in this area, as they migrate north to their favorite ancestral nesting sites.  This incredible sojourn is repeated in the fall when scores of birds and butterflies enjoy a return to West Cape May for a rest before heading to their winter homes in the southern regions.

WILDLIFE HABITAT

 About fifty years ago, this spectacular migration was headed for serious trouble when traditional wildlife areas were taken over by an unprecedented housing boom.  More and more feeding grounds were lost to housing construction, which diminished wildlife habitats. Fortunately, a need to preserve these habitats garnered public empathy. Moreover, the important contribution that native plants play to enhance migratory patterns was becoming both recognized and appreciated. 

NATIVE PLANTS

 In local landscapes, native plants are needed to start and maintain a successful backyard wildlife habitat.  Native plants provide not only food and shelter for wildlife but also cover and safe refuge.  Other key benefits of native plants in your backyard are their penchant for conserving water; what's more, they don't require a lot of individual care.  Plus, native plants can tolerate climate changes closely associated with seaside living.   

                                                        NATIVE SHRUBS

 The plants listed here are considered native to the Lower Cape May Region and a good way to start small:

• Northern Bayberry (M. pensylvanica)
• Common Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
• Hawthorns (Crategus spp)
• Beach Plumb (Prunus maritima)
• Red Chokeberry (Aronia Arbutifolia)
• Smooth Winterberry (Ilex Laevigata)
• Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
• Arrowwood Viburnum  (Viburnum dentatum)

More about native plants and wildlife habitats will be presented in a future posting on the West Cape May Website

“Victory Gardening” presented by the WCM Shade Tree Commission

PROPERTY TAX DUE DATES

Property tax bills are mailed out in July of each year and payable on a quarterly basis.

The Borough of West Cape May allows a ten (10) day grace period.

Taxes not paid within this grace period will accrue interest charges

from the original due date.

Quarterly Due Dates include:

August 1st

November 1st

February 1st

May 1st

The Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance 397-07 on 10/10/07. This ordinance amends and supplements Chapter 16, Right to Farm. Click Here To View

Business Urban Design Plan Click Here To View
(This file is very large, download times will vary depending on connection speed)

West Cape May Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Assistance Study

Click Here To View

Click Here To View The Revised Historic Preservation Ordinance


Information On The Amendments To Zoning Ordinance 375-07 adopted 2/28/07 here.

Atlantic City Electric Contact Information:

Residents who wish to report street light outages
should note the number posted on the pole
and contact Rick Cressey @ 609-463-3818."

For detailed information from Waste Management, click here.

Found in Section 27-36 of WCM Borough Code, the LANDSCAPING AND VEGETATION
PLAN states that prior to the issuance of any zoning permit for additions to
any existing structure which increased the lot coverage in excess of ten
(10%) percent or construction of a new dwelling unit, or conversion of
larger dwelling units to apartments or condominiums or the removal of more
than forty (40%) percent of the vegetation covering of a lot, a landscaping
and vegetation plan for the parcel in question must be submitted to and
approved by the W C M Zoning Officer. Please go to Borough Code Online to
see full detail .

Population
a.. 1980 Census: 1091
b.. 1990 Census: 1026
c.. 2000 Census: 1095

WCM Professional Appointments
a.. Auditor Leon Costello; Ford Scott Seidenberg & Kennedy
b.. Engineer Ray Roberts
c.. Judge David S. DeWeese
d.. Public Defender Michael A. Sorenson
e.. Prosecutor Frank Corrado; Barry, Corrado, Grassi & Gibson
f.. Solicitor Frank Corrado; Barry, Corrado, Grassi & Gibson

Legislative Representatives
a.. U.S. Congressional District: 2
Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo
225 Cannon HOB
Washington DC 20515-3002
(202) 225-6572

b. Senator Frank Lautenberg
324 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington DC 20510
lautenberg.senate.gov/webform.html

c.. NJ State Senate District: 1
Senator Jeff Van Drew
21 North Main Street,
Cape May Court House, NJ  08210
609-465-0700

d.. Assemblyman Matthew Milam
21 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
609-465-0700

e.. Assemblyman Nelson Albano
21 North Main Street
CMCH, NJ 08210
609-465-0700
Fax 609-465-4578

f.. Governor Chris Christie
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6000