The Barnegat Light municipal meeting room overflowed into the hallway with residents concerned about preserving the borough’s character by preventing future hotels or motels from being built. But the governing body was divided 3-3 on an ordinance that would have restricted such development. Mayor Kirk Larson was absent.

At the caucus session that preceded the regular meeting of Aug. 14, Councilwoman Dorothy Reynolds read an open letter proposing a change to the master plan that would remove…