In a 5-1 vote, city council members tabled a resolution that would have asked the planning board to look at whether the property is in need of rehabilitation -- a key step toward redevelopment due to current zoning restrictions.
It's the same resolution that failed to pass in August.
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Councilman Pete Madden called for a revote, citing recent proposals to developer Eustace Mita. "The two offers that came in also were looking for residential use, which is not permitted on the boardwalk," Madden said during the meeting. "To me, we should file that process, look at the area through the planning board's eyes, get a response back."
Mita purchased the property in 2021. The amusement park, a fixture on the boardwalk for 94 years, closed shortly after. His initial plan was to build a 252-room hotel called ICONA in Wonderland, which included preserving the iconic Ferris wheel.
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But after mixed public feedback and a 6-1 council vote against the plan in August, Mita announced he was putting the $25 million property up for sale. That move attracted several proposals, including two that involve residential development.
Not all redevelopment would require a zoning change. City attorney Dottie McCrosson said boardwalk uses-such as an amusement park, retail shops or ice cream businesses-would still be permitted.
Councilman Keith Hartzell, who voted to table the resolution, emphasized the need for broader community input.
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"I think that we have to, as a council, have a committee that goes out and really talks to the public in only the way that elected officials do," Hartzell said. "I don't want a fast process, but I want a process with as much information. I think this is the best way to deliver it."
Among the latest offers to take over the property are proposals from Ryan Homes and Philip Norcross, brother of Democratic power broker George Norcross.
The resolution has been tabled indefinitely. It's unclear when council would revisit the topic.