N.J. Town Residents Demand Donor Remove Superstorm Sandy Monument From Beach After Not Obtaining 'Appropriate Permits

HIGHLANDS, N.J. (TheBlaze/AP) — A town in New Jersey demanded that a concrete association trade group remove a hulking monument to the survivors of Superstorm Sandy from a beach.

A large concrete structure is seen on the beach Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, in Highlands, N.J. The state Department of Environmental Protection informed the Highlands borough in November that the more than 1,000-square-foot monument was not permitted under the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, which oversees development on the state's coastline.The borough is demanding that a trade group remove a monument to the survivors of Superstorm Sandy.The monument, dubbed "Shorehenge," has been questioned by residents for its aesthetics. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

An attorney for Highlands sent a letter to Iowa-based Tilt-Up Concrete Association on Monday, asking the monument's donor to take down the more than 1,100-square-foot structure, dubbed "Shorehenge," from a borough beach, the Asbury Park Press reported.

"It has come to the Borough's attention that this construction was performed without obtaining the appropriate permits from the State Department of Environmental Protection," town attorney Bruce Padula said in a letter to the group's managing director, Mitch Bloomquist.

"It is unacceptable that an entity such as yours would construct a structure without obtaining the appropriate permits. In that regard, the borough demands that Tilt-Up immediately and unconditionally remove the structure," the letter continues.

A message to Bloomquist on Tuesday wasn't immediately returned.

The state Department of Environmental Protection informed the borough in November that that the monument was not permitted under the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, which oversees development on the state's coastline.

The monument, a gift from the trade group that promotes the tilt-up construction technique, was put up in September and has been questioned by residents for its aesthetics. Its canopy alone weighs nearly 350,000 pounds and its placement above four walls has been called an unprecedented feat of engineering by contractors.

A dedication plaque on the structure reads, "In honor of the spirit of our community. Hurricane Sandy, October 29, 2012."

A person walks through a large concrete structure on the beach Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, in Highlands, N.J. The borough is demanding that a trade group remove a monument to the survivors of Superstorm Sandy. A Highlands attorney sent a letter to the Tilt-Up Concrete Association Monday asking the group to remove a more than 1,000-square-foot monument from the beach. The monument, dubbed "Shorehenge," has been questioned by residents for its aesthetics. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Most Highlands businesses and homes were destroyed or damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

The matter is still pending and no fines have been issued, according to the department.

Borough officials said they will wait to comment further until Tilt-Up responds to their letter.