Har Haven in compliance so far

By Anya Tikka
DINGMAN TOWNSHIP — Dingman Code enforcement officer Chris Wood met recently with a builder to discuss renovations at Har Haven Resort.
He told township supervisors that he discussed plans for renovating its motel rooms with Ed Nikles Jr. of Nikles Custom Builders. The renovations will be made in phases and will require permits, Wood said said.
Har Haven is the former Mount Haven, a resort for 60 years until its sale last August to three separate entities, according to tax records. The addresses all go back to the same owners in Lakewood, N.J. Three limited liability companies, Har Haven, Haven Delight and Blue Log LLCs all own parts of the resort.
Har Haven intends to restrict the use of the property, including the dining facilities, sleeping accommodations, and other amenities, for four to six weeks annually for the exclusive use of the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence, according to a report Wood gave last year.
At the time of the purchase, worried residents asked how the former resort would be used. Some raised concerns about the neighborhood's cleanliness and safety, and uses of the land that would not be in the best interest of the community. Residents packed the council room in sometimes heated meetings.
Township supervisors eventually agreed to grant a temporary use certificate for one year, based on its traditional use as a resort.
Supervisors' chair Thomas Mincer has recused himself from speaking about the sale because he acted as the attorney for the buyers of Mount Haven.
The township is now updating and reviewing its ordinances.
“A temporary certificate of use was granted until Aug. 30, 2017, as a resort," Wood explained in a phone call. "In August, it will be reevaluated, and it will be extended, or made permanent, or not considered for a permit."
During this month's supervisors' meeting, Supervisor Kerry Welsh said, “Everything is in compliance so far.”
Wood agreed: “We have to give them a fair chance," he said.
The temporary certificate was granted based on use during a certain number of days in a year.
But, Wood, said, “For the first year, we gave them some time to clean it up. It’s not in shape. They are going to fix it up. They are bringing it up to snuff to make it acceptable to people.”
He said Nikles Custom Builders are renovating the motel rooms up to an acceptable standard.
Ed Nikles Jr., the owner of the firm, refused to comment in a phone call. All queries should be directed to the owners of the resort, he said.
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