The first in-person Surf City Borough Council meeting in more than a year was standing room only and spilled out of the meeting room into the hallway with emotions running high as officials and residents addressed plans to tear down Surf City Square for five single-family homes.

The strip mall is situated in the cutout between Sixth and Seventh streets. It currently houses five businesses. At least one of those businesses will be relocated within the borough, according to Mayor Francis Hodgson.