STONE HARBOR -- Stone Harbor may have a new beachfront library before the year is out.

The major stumbling block to plans for a new Stone Harbor branch library - the location chosen by Cape May County and the Borough of Stone Harbor - may soon be resolved.

County officials this week indicated that state permits may be on the way, and work could start this spring. The plans, by Garrison Architects of Marlton, call for a new building that is almost 14,000 square feet and the estimated cost is $6.5 million.

The idea to construct a bigger library with an ocean view in Stone Harbor began more than four years ago. The difficulty has been in obtaining a state permit under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act, or CAFRA. The proposed location is at the beachfront on 95th Street. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had two issues with this location: the loss of 16 parking spaces and the setbacks for the proposed building. Under CAFRA Scenic Resources and Design rule, the distance a building needs to be from the bulkhead is twice the height of that building.

But local officials argued that the benefits of the plan outweigh the problems. “Both the borough and the county contended that this rule was inconsistent with the intent of the regulation since the library would enhance both the physical and visual public access to the shorefront. In effect, the building on a municipal parking lot would create a scenic view for the public that doesn’t currently exist,” said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters.

Even though the project would result in the loss of some parking, the borough and county argued that the public amenities substantially outweighed the loss of the 16 parking spaces.

County and borough officials have been pushing the location in discussions with the state Department of Environmental Protection. Anytime of the year, county residents and visitors could use the resources available at a beachfront Stone Harbor Library, while also treating themselves to the beauty of the coastline, they argued.

“We are building a facility that provides greater public access, including greater public access for the disabled, and a better scenic view for the general public,” said county administrator Stephen O'Connor. County and borough officials also contended that providing a public facility constructed under Americans for Disabilities Act guidelines would make up for the loss of parking spaces, according to Cape May County spokeswoman Lenora Boninfante.

Under Gov. Chris Christie, the DEP appears open to the proposal. In July, the county received a letter of commitment from the DEP of rule changes that would grant a CAFRA permit for the location planned by the county and borough, said O'Connor.

The current Stone Harbor Library is a tiny facility located within Borough Hall. While Ocean City has long had its own library, and Avalon has more recently withdrew from the county library system, Stone Harbor remains part of the Cape May County Library, which has a main branch in Cape May Court House and branches in Stone Harbor, Lower Township, Cape May, Wildwood Crest, Woodbine and Upper Township.

Plans for the new building in Stone Harbor include two levels, with the library located on the second level. The first level will have a large meeting room, the Stone Harbor Museum, and a lobby exhibit area with a coffee bar. An elevator will be available.

Public restrooms within the building will be designed with access from the outside. The facilities will be open year-round, said Ken Hawk, Stone Harbor’s borough administrator.

There will be about 10 computers for public use and plenty of plugs for laptops, said Deborah Poillon, director of the Cape May County Library System. A large amount of seating will be near windows overlooking the ocean so patrons can “read or use their computers with that fabulous view,” Poillon added.

The new facility will also greatly add to the number of materials now available in Stone Harbor, according to Poillon. Adult materials, now around 7,000 items, will increase to about 20,000 items and the children's will grow to about 7,000 items. There will be more DVDs and books on CD. Music CDs and video games will be added as well as a small young adult area, Poillon said.

The bigger library will also provide two areas for programming. Poillon said the library will offer more children's and adult programming in Stone Harbor, something that many residents has been requesting.

The library is not only a great resource, but it could also become a destination within the county, drawing people into Stone Harbor during the winter months, say supporters of the plan. Local merchants are hoping it will become something of an off-season attraction, said Hawk.

The plans are finished, the design finalized, and the county and borough continue to lobby for the DEP to make the rule amendments in a timely manner and grant the CAFRA permit.

“In the meantime, we are finalizing specifications for the library and anticipating going out to bid early spring to break ground by early summer,” said O'Connor.

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