We're an independent group of Toms River residents who came together around one question: is the conversion of the former Pelican Inn and Suites at 3324 Route 37 East going through the proper public process?

In June 2026, the 25-unit motel was sold for $7 million to HABcore, a Red Bank nonprofit, which plans to run it as Ocean County's first year-round emergency shelter. The property is zoned Highway Business and sits in a FEMA AE flood zone. So far, we have found no public hearing, no variance application, and no site plan approval on record, and residents have had no formal opportunity to ask about traffic, parking, emergency services capacity, or flood and site conditions.

We take no position on who would live at the property. Our focus is zoning compliance, public notice, and whether the people who live here get a real say before a change of use this size moves forward.

This fund pays for a land-use attorney to review the filings, advise residents on their rights, and represent us at the Zoning Board, Planning Board, or Township Council as needed. Funds are held by Suzanne Deegan Fortuna, and every dollar spent is posted publicly at tomsriverwatch.org/legal-fund. Toms River Watch is not a 501(c)(3); donations are not tax-deductible.

Follow the issue and upcoming hearings at tomsriverwatch.org/issues/route-37-shelter-conversion. Thank you for helping us make sure the process is followed.