The 9-page slide presentation was filed under G-J Planning Presentation to the city’s planning board
The Jersey City Planning Board has approved the Grand Jersey Redevelopment Plan, a project which would make changes to the street grid near Liberty State Park.
With the support of a unanimous vote (9-0) from the board, the project is now underway, featuring a greenway bikeway alley from Grand Street near the Jersey City Medical Center towards the south end of Liberty State Park.
The summary of the project was filed in the city’s agenda “pertaining to an amendment to the Grand Jersey Redevelopment Plan regarding modifications to the street grid and regulating maps, building types, and street sections.”
Liz Opper, who is the city’s Urban Designer, presented the proposal, said the redevelopment plan would make “significant changes to the street grid which would end up changing the shape of the blocks.”
The 9-page slide presentation was filed under G-J Planning Presentation to the city’s planning board.
Opper explained the redevelopment planning amendments are divided into two parts, one being the city-like component of the project and the other a designated redeveloper.
Eugene Paolino, an attorney, discussed how the wide swath of land near LSP would be bisected by the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail in the redevelopment proposal, and the plan would include Mill Creek.
According to Paolino there are three separate redevelopment agreements with the land developer company Argent Ventures. He said discussions had been held with the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority along with Jersey City Department of Environmental Protection, Jersey City Redevelopment Agency and the Division of City Planning.
“The changes that you see and that are proposed are a function of what I would call ‘refinements and readjustments’ of the planning as it has progressed over the last four or five years,” said Paolino.
After he spoke, Charles Heydt, the planner behind the redevelopment project said that the project did not increase density or unit count, but “due to the virtue of the lot size they adjusted to follow city guidelines.” He said that part of the redevelopment project would incorporate post-industrial Brownfield sites.
In addition, he said the city had placed requirements under “26 A through Z goals” in order to move forward with the project, and according to Hedyt those goals have been met.
The Morris Canal Greenway, a walkway for pedestrians and cyclists is also included in the redevelopment plan. Opper, noted that the changes in the project would create a new neighborhood, “this is consistent with the redevelopment plan,” she said.
Planning Board Chair Christopher Langston asked for a floor amendment to guarantee protections for all bike lanes. He also said that protections from blocks sold off to other developers were not seen in this plan.
“I know that might not be the intention here but looking at it in black and white I am just tightening this up here,” said Langston.
Paolino said that there was an evident need for flexibility when it comes to registering the number of units per block. He said that this was a contested issue brought up numerous times with the JRCA. “I think there’s a need for the developer to not be so straightened by regulations,” he said.
The board voted on a (9-0) unanimous vote approving the Grand Jersey Redevelopment Plan.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at [email protected].
A view heading westbound on Hops Lane in Secaucus. Image via Google Maps.
Secaucus is considering amending where parking is prohibited on Hops Lane.
Mayor Michael Gonnelli and the Town Council introduced an ordinance that would do so at its Wednesday, November 9 meeting.
The council previously enacted measures to alleviate dangerous situations on the town’s streets, promote safe passage for motorists and vehicles, to address traffic flow, and specify penalties for violations.
Upon review and recommendation of the Police Department, the mayor and council have determined that changes to the ordinance are warranted on Hops Lane to accommodate the parking and traffic needs of the area.
On the south side of Hops Lane, parking is currently prohibited along the entire length. Now, it would only be prohibited from Schmidt’s Place to Paterson Plank Road.
On the north side of Hops Lane, parking is currently not prohibited. Under the ordinance, it would be prohibited on that side of the road from Stonewall Lane to Schmidt’s Place.
Traffic study conducted by police
Prior to the ordinance being introduced, the Police Department Traffic Bureau conducted a traffic study to evaluate the parking in the area of Hops Lane. The one-way road begins at Stonewall Lane and heads west to Paterson Plank Road.
While the current ordinance prohibits parking on the south side of the entire length of Hops Lane, the study found that vehicles regularly park there anyway, specifically between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. The study sought to determine why residents parked there despite being in violation.
Additionally, the study was largely in response to an incident caused when a large pickup with an attached trailer was parked on the south side of Hops Lane, directly in front of a home, and another vehicle was parked on the north side of Hops Lane, between Floral Terrace and Poplar Street.
The vehicles being parked on both sides of the street restricted the travel lane rendering it impassable for large vehicles. Specifically impacted were school buses which were forced to re-route during school transit hours.
The focus of the study was ensuring the safety of the motorists while maintaining as many parking spaces without compromising the travel width of the roadway. The investigation by the Police Department found there were no signs delineating that there was no parking on either side of the street, which is why residents likely parked there in violation.
There are five houses on Hops Lane, with three located between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. All three of those houses are on the south side of Hops Lane, and the remaining two homes are on the north side of Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, which the study identified as the likely reason that parking shifts to the north side of the street in that area.
Hops Lane averages approximately 22 feet wide, never expanding wider than 25 feet and becoming narrow at 20 feet, specifically in the area between Schmidt’s Lane and Paterson Plank Road. At its widest, the roadway does not offer enough width for parking on both sides while maintaining the minimum 12 foot travel lane.
Options to address the issue limited
Because of these things, the option to amend the ordinance and allow for parking on both sides did not present itself as a solution in this case, according to the study. A second option of allowing vehicles to continue parking in the manner in which they have been was also deemed not a solution by the police.
A third option was to erect proper signage and begin enforcement of the ordinance. However, an obstacle to that was driver conditioning the study said, as Stonewall Lane transitions into Hops Lane around a blind right-hand curve. Due to the current state of parking in the area, when entering Hops Lane, immediately following the curve from Stonewall Lane, drivers are conditioned to expect the north side of the street to be clear of parked cars.
The department assumed that because it is a residential road, the drivers using this road and the roads in the area are familiar with the status quo. Creating a change to the pattern, specifically enforcing the no parking on the south side and forcing vehicles to park on the north side, will create a significant difference and doing so on the blind side of the curve will take a considerable amount of reconditioning, according to the study.
In addition, if the parking prohibition was enforced on the south side, there would be a significant increase to the pedestrian traffic crossing the road, creating another abnormal condition for drivers to become accustomed to. The study ultimately found that the violation of the town’s ordinance has gone unenforced for too longer and beginning to enforce it now would create safety concerns and too great of an impact on the public.
According to the study, changing the ordinance to prohibit parking on the north side of the street instead of the south, except for the portion on Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, would be the best solution.
Following the change, signs will be placed between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place on the north side of the street, and between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road on the south side of the street.
Once the parking signs are in place, regular enforcement of the area will be conducted. Following that conclusion in the study, the council is set embrace that exact recommendation from the Police Department.
“It is our opinion, based on our investigation that this strategy will minimize the impact on the residents in the area by causing the least increase in pedestrians crossing the road, eliminating the need for driver reconditioning, and lastly, have the least impact on the amount of parking in the area,” wrote Officer Michael Bronowich of the Police Department’s Traffic Bureau in the traffic study.
The ordinance will be up for a public hearing and vote at future meeting. The Town Council will meet next on Tuesday, November 22. For more information, go to secaucusnj.gov.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
A mock up of the what the entrance to 1888 Studios will look like from Avenue A. Renderings by architectural firm Gensler.
Bayonne is preparing to sell tens of millions of dollars in bonds to support the estimated $900 million construction cost of what redevelopers say will be the largest ground-up film studio in New Jersey, to be known as 1888 Studios, at the former Texaco site.
At the site at the terminus of Avenue A, surrounded by the Kill van Kull and Bayonne Bridge, Togus Urban Renewal, LLC is redeveloping the land into the film studio, which will be constructed using “100 percent union labor” through contractor Turner Construction.
At its November meeting, the City Council approved an application for the bonds to the Local Finance Board. According to its resolution, the city wants the approval from the Local Finance Board to issue up to $65 million of general obligation redevelopment area bonds.
The resolution states the city believes the bond issue is in the public interest, that the improvements are for the betterment of the community, that the amount to be spent is not unreasonable or exorbitant, and that the proposal will provide services for residents and will not create a financial burden.
Before the resolution was approved, resident Gail Godesky asked if this was the right time for the bond: “Are we going too late to the dance?”
This sparked some music-themed wordplay during the back-and-forth with Law Director Jay Coffey. He disagreed that the city was moving on this too late: “If they’re still playing music, it’s not too late. And they are still playing music.”
Godesky said with film studios being built in Newark and even in Oceanport, where Coffey is the mayor, that Bayonne shouldn’t risk paying anything into the film studio when a recession could be lurking around the corner.
Godesky asked, “Do we really want to take that chance now with the recession on the horizon, with inflation, and with people losing their jobs? Construction, development, and everything is going to start slowing down.”
Coffey said that it was a legitimate question, but that Bayonne was farther along than Newark and Oceanport. He said that in Oceanport, the municipality has not yet finalized a contract with Netflix.
“It’s a risk-reward scenario,” Coffey said. “You’re asking why we should go through with this and put $65 million up on a $900 billion dollar project… The answer is… what’s securing our $65 million is not just the land itself.”
Provision built in to assist city if need be
Coffey added the bonds are secured by the letter of credit provided by the redeveloper and the land itself. There is also a provision where the city can step in if the project falls through and take the land without going through the foreclosure process.
“There will be a letter of credit that underscores and secures the debt,” Coffey said. “It’s a letter of credit that provides cross collateralization, where you have equity and then you have actual real property. Then as the property gets developed, the letter of credit will be commensurately reduced because the value of the property is going up as the property is being built. If the property is not built, our total exposure is $65 million. I would dare say that having the land plus a $65 million letter of credit provides us with sufficient security. It even provides for any costs associated with taking over the property that would be borne by the developer. So that’s really a triple net zero to us.”
Godesky questioned why the redevelopers, including Togus Urban Renewal, LLC, couldn’t get a construction loan. Coffey said they are already getting a construction loan “of an incredible proportion.”
Godesky asked why they needed the bonds then and if they are short $65 million. Coffey said they are not short, and that this ensured construction was done how the city wanted it.
“This is a way to ensure that the development is done in a way that’s commensurate with what we want down there, how it’s going to be done, the type of labor that’s going to be used down there,” Coffey said. “This is a massive undertaking, and the city, by going after this financing, gets better rates than a private entity can… We get better rates. Are we involved in the risk? Yes. But this is a billion dollar project that brings thousands of jobs to the city of Bayonne.”
Coffey was confident in the nearly $1 billion investment by the redevelopers, which consists of $700 million in construction costs and $200 million in land costs and redevelopment fees. Godesky reiterated that now might not be the time amid a potential recession.
Coffey reiterated there is not a better time, noting that nothing was constructed in Bayonne between 2001 and 2014. However, after that, the market and the city’s outlook changed, with it being more willing to take risks to bring investors to Bayonne leading to a redevelopment boom in recent years.
“It was with great consternation we started opening up the spigot,” Coffey said. “These rooms were filled by people concerned about what happens if we do too much, what happens if we don’t do enough. I would say that now that the market has changed, you’re going to see a different approach to development on both the development side and our side.”
A rendering of the main road through the film studio.
Content creation industry not subject to ‘market vagueries’
According to Coffey, the content creation industry continues strong regardless of the market. He said that a shift away from filming in Hollywood has prompted a need that 1888 Studios would seek to fill.
“In this case, this industry… creating content… for the foreseeable future, it’s not really something that’s subject to the vagueries of the market,” Coffey said. “Building this project is. But as far as content creation right now, I would say that for the next decade, there is a need to be able to create your own content and not having to deal with Hollywood and certain large corporations that would charge you for the services. These self-contained units where they make their own content and they don’t have to worry about another provider, that’s the business model that’s working.”
Coffey said that spaces like a film studio for content creation are coming to the East Coast now for a variety of reasons. He said that there’s been a paradigm change and that Netflix and the studios in Newark and Brooklyn have a different outlook than Godesky as to how things are going to go in the future.
Coffey conceded they could be wrong, to which Godesky conceded she may be wrong too. But she still felt it wasn’t the right time amid a possible recession.
“They’re playing the last song,” Godesky said continuing the musical analogy. “The bottom line is, I don’t think it’s the right time. I liked their presentation …a lot of people in Bayonne did. But right now, the way things are turning in the global economy. I just don’t think it’s the right time.”
Coffey noted that it’s more the redeveloper’s risk as opposed to the city, as long as the city is secured through the land itself and the letter of credit. Godesky asked if the city would need to sell the property if everything fell through, to which Coffey noted it likely wouldn’t need to do that since it has $65 million bonds backing it up.
Godesky still disagreed with the project, but Coffey remained adamant it would be a risk worth taking. The council then unanimously approved the resolution.
No working nights, weekends, and holidays
Also at the November meeting, the council voted on another resolution regarding 1888 Studios that would have authorized redeveloper Togus Urban Renewal, LLC to work on nights, weekends, and some holidays. Coffey said this is in conjunction with raising the elevation nearly 17 and a half feet.
“We have a restriction against performing work on national holidays,” Coffey said. “There is water-based work. Essentially, it involves barges coming in to build up the site. The request was, could they have an exemption from the no work ordinance on federal holidays.”
Coffey said that through discussions, Mayor James Davis did not have a problem with it due to its isolated location at the tip of the Bergen Point neighborhood. However, the only holiday Davis was opposed to was Christmas.
La Pelusa said the resolution would allow construction for six federal holidays, except for Christmas Day. It would apply for the rest of this year and run until the end of February in 2023.
Second Ward City Councilwoman Jacqueline Weimmer noted she was concerned it would be a quality of life issue. La Pelusa agreed, but highlighted there was a measure that would allow the council to negate the resolution if there are issues.
“I’m always against allowing work on holidays and after hours,” La Pelusa said. “But this has a provision here that the city reserves the right to declare this resolution null and void, without further action by the municipal council, if any justified complaints are lodged with the Bayonne Police Department, the Bayonne Law Department, or any other department within the city of Bayonne in connection with the noise disturbances arising out of said construction activity.”
La Pelusa said there were some residences in the area. But he noted the immediate surroundings were mostly non-residential uses.
“That’s the reason why I would consider it,” La Pelusa said.
A rendering of the planned mill buildings on the site.
Raising the site elevation
Coffey added this wasn’t for construction yet but for filling in the land to raise the elevation.
“It’s not so much construction as it is water-borne, like it’ll be coming up with barges on the west side of the property,” Coffey said.
Weimmer asked the audience at the meeting if there were any residents who lived in the area. While there were none present, another resident Mike Ruscigno, addressed the issue, stating the work was more than just barges dropping off dirt.
“What they’re doing now, they’re compacting property while they clear the contamination and dropping in new dirt and pounding it,” Ruscigno said. “That cannot go on. You hear it everywhere. People go to the park to enjoy it and do stuff. So they don’t want it going on during the holidays.”
La Pelusa repeated that if there were any complaints, the council could void the resolution.Godesky said that the resolution wasn’t worth it and asked the council to vote against it.
“It’s going to take years for them to build it anyway,” Godesky said. “Don’t allow it please. Quality of life is important. We’re losing our quality of life here in this city… with all the construction and everything else going on. It’s not worth it. They could do without the six days, we’re giving them $65 million.”
La Pelusa reminded that another caveat of the resolution was that it could allow them to work at night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Godesky called that ridiculous, and that it would affect people who live in the area.
First Ward City Councilman Neil Carroll said he was more concerned about work going on during the nights and weekends than on holidays. Weimmer agreed, to which La Pelusa echoed them both, and suggested the council not do it.
With that, the resolution was not approved. Meanwhile, also at the meeting an ordinance set to be introduced that would approve a financial agreement with Togus Urban Renewal, LLC was withdrawn. The city previously announced its intention to enter into a payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with Togus Urban Renewal, LLC which will bring in $200 million to the city over a 30-year term.
While things are still being ironed out, the city and redevelopers are very much moving forward with the construction of 1888 Studios full steam ahead. Vertical construction of the studio is slated for the first quarter of 2023, and some industry insiders are already hyping the project.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
Donate coats to students and families in need in Union City until the end of December. Image via Shutterstock.
Union City is set to hold its annual Winter Coat Drive from November 21 through December 30. The drive is hosted by the Union City Office of Community Relations by Director Mercedes Joaquin.
The past few years the Office of Community Relations has been conducting the Winter Coat Drive for needy students in the school district those families can’t afford to buy them a winter coat due to financial hardship.
For a child, a brand new coat can be more than a coat. According to the city, it not only helps to keep them warm, but also can change a child’s life and empower them with greater self-confidence, peer acceptance, and increase school attendance and overall wellness.
Drop off locations are Union City Public Schools. Collection boxes will be at the entrance of each school.
Items needed include: coats, gloves, scarves, socks, hats, and sweaters. All sizes are requested, from toddler, to children, to juniors, and adults.
According to the city, each gift will have the ability to transform a child’s life and relay the message “You are worth it.”
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
The unveiling of the new Bergenview Apartments at 654 Bergen Avenue comes after the substantial rehabilitation and preservation of a historic former YMCA building
Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined The Community Builders (TCB) and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) recently to celebrate the substantial rehabilitation and grand opening of Bergenview Apartments.
“The Community Builders is thrilled to give this historic site new life as Bergenview Apartments, providing residents with stable housing and supportive services to make the neighborhood even stronger,” said Jacqueline Alexander, The Community Builders’ regional Vice President for real estate development.
“I extend my deepest thanks and a well-earned congratulations to Mayor Fulop, the NJHMFA, and the many partners, stakeholders, and neighbors who made this development possible, especially the people who call Bergenview Apartments home. We’re proud to continue to provide residents with quality homes, supportive services, and new amenities as they begin a new chapter in their lives.”
The unveiling of the new Bergenview Apartments at 654 Bergen Avenue comes after the substantial rehabilitation and preservation of a historic former YMCA building. The apartment community features 111 studio apartments for individuals who have previously experienced homelessness.
“These newly renovated units provide formerly homeless residents with a place they can really feel at home with their very own kitchen and bathroom facilities and other updated amenities,” said Mayor Fulop. “We are grateful to The Community Builders and NJHMFA for their great work on this project and the on-site supportive services and community resources they offer to help residents who formerly experienced homelessness find a path for a successful future.”
All of the affordable homes now feature in-unit private bathrooms, kitchens, and energy efficient appliances. Additionally, the new amenities are specifically designed to create an engaging environment for all residents.
New common amenities include an on-site property management and social service suite, a gym, and a bicycle storage room. A newly designed community room fosters gatherings with a foosball and ping pong table, a demonstration kitchen, and a learning center.
The rehabilitation also includes enhanced major building systems, including HVAC, roof, and elevator. Environmentally friendly, Bergenview Apartments achieved ENERGY STAR and Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) certifications.
“NJHMFA is proud to support and finance the rehabilitation of Bergenview Apartments, a development that will provide over 100 Jersey City residents with long-term, affordable housing opportunities,” said NJHMFA Managing Architect Roger Grutzmacher.
The Community Builders acquired the historic YMCA building in 1999 and, under the HUD McKinney Program, converted the structure from a 210-unit, single room occupancy (SRO) building into a 131-unit building containing 59 SRO units and 72 studios serving formerly homeless residents.
In November 2020, TCB secured construction financing to substantially rehabilitate and convert the site under the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD). The renovation converted the remaining 59 SRO units into 40 studio units.
The preservation of Bergenview Apartments was made possible through funding provided by NJHMFA, low-income housing tax credit equity, FHLB-AHP funding, and TD Bank. Boston Financial Investment Management (BFIM) will serve as syndicator, and the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) will service the permanent mortgage, a tax-exempt loan provided through Freddie Mac. Kramer+Marks Architects (KMA) is the project architect. Pike Construction Co. LLC is the general contractor.
37-year veteran of the Bayonne Police Department Captain Paul Jamolawicz has passed away. Photo courtesy of the Bayonne Police Department.
Bayonne Police Captain Paul Jamolawicz has passed away while on duty, Mayor James Davis announced on Saturday, November 12.
“Bayonne is mourning today, as we have lost Bayonne Police Captain Paul Jamolawicz while on duty serving our community,” Davis said.
Jamolawicz, a graduate of New Jersey City University with a degree in Criminal Justice, began his career in 1985, with Davis following behind him in 1986. Davis said they remained friends throughout their careers.
In 1999, Jamolawicz was promoted to Sergeant, followed by another promotion in 2013 to Lieutenant. In 2018, he promoted to Captain.
During his career, Jamolawicz worked in the Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, Narcotics Unit, and Internal Affairs Unit. He has received three commendations and seven Excellent Police Service Awards for his service.
According to Davis, Jamolawicz was not only an outstanding police officer, but a devoted family man to his wife Jeanne, daughter Lori Anne and son Paul Jr. He has also been a longtime businessman in town, serving residents as the owner and operator of the First Street Laundromat and past owner of Manny’s Liquors.
“Paul’s love of family and this city was evident every day of his life and his friendship will be sorely missed,” Davis said. “Please keep Paul’s family in your thoughts and prayers, as well as our great Police Department… Rest in Peace Paul.”
This is the first line of duty death for the Bayonne Police Department in 52 years. Police Chief Robert Geisler also released a statement following Jamolawicz’s death.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the death of Bayonne Police Department Captain Paul Jamolawicz,” Geisler said on November 11. “Captain Jamolawicz died unexpectedly tonight while on-duty serving our community. On behalf of the City of Bayonne and the Bayonne Police Department, I would like to express our condolences to the Jamolawicz Family.”
Additionally, Fire Chief Keith Weaver sent his condolences from the Bayonne Fire Department.
“The Bayonne Fire Department mourns with our brothers and sisters of the Bayonne Police Department, as they suffered the loss of Captain Paul Jamolawicz,” Weaver said. “Our agencies are intricately tied together as their loss is our loss, and this is especially true as Captain Jomolawicz is also the brother-in-law of Bayonne Fire Department Battalion Chief Thomas Obiedzinski. On behalf of our entire department, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the entire Jamolawicz and Obiedzinski families.”
The manner of death has not been announced.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
Bicyclists rallied on November 12 to protest the proposed expansion of the 1-78 appreoach to the Holland Tunnel
Bicyclists were out in force on Saturday, as Hudson County residents came together to denounce the proposed Turnpike Expansion project which not only would derail the city from a path of environmental equity, but would increase traffic volume and carbon emissions.
The $4.7 billion dollar proposed project by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and NJ Department of Treasury would affect Newark, Bayonne and Jersey City.
According to the summary of the project it would “provide sufficient travel lanes to reduce congestion and safely and efficiently accommodate existing and future vehicular demand,” establishing the highway road structure for the next century.
Last year Gov. Phil Murphy launched a New Interim Greenhouse Reduction Goal which would invest $33 million in transportation projects meant to secure Jersey’s clean energy future and protect residents quality of life.
On the other hand, the governor has also been a proponent of the controversial Turnpike highway expansion to and from Holland Tunnel, as reported by NJ.com.
But residents such as Emanuelle Morgan who came out today, said “nonsensical projects such as these hurt our communities rather than serve them.”
Morgan, who is a resident in Hudson County, brought her bike out to encourage residents to advocate for more public transportation options instead of expanding I-78 highway, which would be “squeezing more cars into a tunnel,” she said.
Historically interstate highways expanded America’s roadways and infrastructure bringing 90 percent of all American cities together with populations of over 50,000 people. Congress approved the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, intended to eliminate unsafe roads and inept road structures, and it also detrimentally impacted urban communities of color.
Over 475,000 households and more than a million people were displaced nationwide due to the federal roadway construction, according to data collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tyler Newcomb, who is the organizer of NJ Turnpike Trap, a coalition against the city’s Turnpike widening said that “not only does this not achieve the goal that they are claiming of reducing traffic…it’s also going to make our streets more dangerous.”
Hudson County has the highest population density in the state, according to the 2020 census, growing from 634,266 in 2010 to 724,854 in 2020 as reported by the Hudson Reporter.
In a tweet made earlier this year, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who opposes the NJTA’s Turnpike expansion project said, “This proposal would bring more traffic and more pollution to Jersey City. Instead,the investment here for NJ should be in mass transit as we have plenty of needs on that front.”
City officials and city workers also stepped up alongside residents to reject this project.
“This project is on the wrong side of history,” said Barkha Patel, Jersey City’s director of infrastructure. She said if the state sees this project through it would result in not only an increase in traffic but would be “creating a vicious cycle of traffic that we cannot build our way out of.”
Jersey City City Council members James Solomon and Frank Gilmore echoed Patel’s frustration, saying they believed the highway expansion would degrade the community rather than improve it.
Phil Cohen, Hoboken’s Fifth Ward city councilman also attended the rally. He said Hoboken had unanimously passed the first resolution against the expansion of the highway.
“We breathe the air with you,” said Cohen. “We are not looking for it, we don’t want it.”
Dana Patton, who came out today to protest the expansion of the bridge in support of her son who attends P.S.5 as a fourth grader, a school adjacent to the highway, said the actions taken by the state are simply “unconscionable” and of “great concern.”
She said the surrounding neighborhoods near Mary Benson Park, where the bicycle rally concluded, are historically low-income communities and would be severely impacted by the highway expansion.
“We literally spend hours every day at this park with our son, with this approved expansion it would just remove it entirely,” said Patton.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at [email protected].
Vehicles with coverings on them are no longer permitted on public roads. Image via Google Maps.
North Bergen has banned covering vehicles on public streets and in public parking lots because the covers interfere with enforcing parking regulations.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance at the November 9 meeting after it was introduced in October.
The Parking Authority utilizes automated license plate reading technology to enforce its parking requirements.
The ordinance states that when a person covers their vehicle when it is parked on the public street or highway, or in public parking lots, the license plate becomes obstructed and inhibits the Parking Authority’s ability to enforce parking requirements.
The inability to effectively enforce parking regulations results in parking space being lost to those who follow the parking rules and regulations. According to the ordinance, the lack of ability to enforce parking regulations also inhibits effective and efficient street sweeping.
The ordinance states that when a vehicle is covered, the Parking Authority is limited in its ability to issue a summons. The ordinance says no vehicle parked on a public street, highway, or public parking lot within the township can be covered, partially or totally, with a car cover, motorcycle cover, or other similar protective cover.
Owners and leases of vehicles violating the ordinances now face a fine of $75 for each offense. For each summons written by Parking Authority enforcement officers where a fine would be collected by the township for a violation of the ordinance, the Parking Authority will collect 40 percent of the fine.
The ordinance will be enforced by the Parking Authority or Police Department.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
This property adjacent to Berry Lane Park is now open for redevelopment (Screenshot from Goggle Maps)
Mayor Steven M. Fulop has announced the redevelopment of a former industrial site on three acres of land in the city’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood can finally move forward to construction.
A Superior Court Judge’s ruling to dismiss a “meritless” lawsuit filed by June Jones and the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area Community Development Corporation has cleared that legal obstacle to the project beginning.
Despite opposition from Ward F Councilman Frank Gilmore, the proposed 17-story residential and commercial redevelopment project will include over 20 affordable housing units, a community recreation center, public outdoor space, new off-street parking spots, and a retail incubator for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses.
“While this baseless lawsuit has done a tremendous disservice to our community, it is my hope that residents now hear the full truth with the court’s dismissal so that we can move forward on this important neighborhood improvement project together,” said Mayor Fulop.
The Fulop Administration is the first to implement affordable housing requirements in Jersey City, the administration said, adding that no other administration in decades has invested more in parks and open space than Mayor Fulop.
Plans to redevelop the former industrial site have been amended numerous times over the last two decades, leaving the three acres of land adjacent to Berry Lane Park unused. In 2019, the Fulop Administration put forth a proposal to revitalize the underutilized property, located at 417 Communipaw Avenue, with a residential and commercial building that include numerous community benefits and affordable housing units.
The new 17-story residential and commercial project will include the following:
20+ New Affordable Housing Units
22,000 sq. ft. Community Recreation Center
20,000 sq. ft. Public Outdoor Recreational Space & Plaza
Historic Building Preservation
Retail Incubator for Minority-, Women-, and Veteran-Owned Businesses
According to a press release, the city’s requirements for the site redevelopment include the following:
Maximum of 420 residential units, of which 21 units shall be Affordable Housing Units with a mix of very low, low, and moderate housing.
22,000 square foot Recreation Center to be dedicated to the City for public use which must include a fully functional basketball court and areas to host other extracurricular activities such as classrooms, media,dance, administrative offices, storage, and the like.
14,000 square foot retail component, no less than 40 percent of which will be designated as retail incubator space for certified Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (SMWVBEs) or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs).
20,000 square feet of public outdoor recreational space and plaza.
40 off-street public parking spaces for park and rec center visitors.
Installation of improvements along Woodward Street.
Historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the Steel Tech Head House.
Additional on- and off-site improvements.
“This redevelopment project is a win for the community as we incorporate numerous benefits that were put forth by the City as well as residents,” said Diana Jeffrey, director of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency
A few empty lots on the west side of River Road would be included in the new zoning district. Image via Google Maps.
North Bergen is contemplating a new zoning district in the township.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance at their November 9 meeting to implement a Master Plan amendment creating a new zoning district, known as the RRC-2 River Road Commercial 2, to permit commercial use along a portion of the west side of River Road.
The Planning Board adopted a “Periodic Reexamination and Report of the Master Plan and Land Use Plan Element Amendment” at its November 1 meeting. It recognized the character of certain properties on the west side of River Road between Bulls Ferry Road and the border with Edgewater as predominately nonresidential.
The commercial nature of that portion of the street has occurred despite being residentially zoned.
In addition, a number of lots don’t conform to existing zoning bulk standards. Those factors, coupled with significant residential growth in the vicinity, warrant an amendment to the current zoning for these lots in terms of uses and bulk standards.
The Board of Commissioners is responsible for implementing recommendations of the Master Plan to create the new commercial zone district. The new zone permits retail and commercial uses on that side of River Road.
Permitted uses in new commercial zone
Permitted uses in the district would include retail sales, personal services, professional offices, banks, and eating and drinking establishments without drive-thru or walk-up service.
Cannabis retailers and medical cannabis dispensaries with the proper permits would be allowed, so as long as there is only one within the district and it does not exceed the township’s limit of two dispensaries.
According to the ordinance, the bulk standards would now require a minimum lot area of 2,500 square feet, a minimum lot width of 25 feet, a minimum lot depth of 27 feet, no minimum setback from the street or side yard setback or 5 feet if provided, a minimum rear yard setback of 10 feet, a maximum building coverage of 50 percent, a minimum landscaped area of 10 percent, maximum impervious coverage of 90 percent, and a maximum building height of three stories or 40 feet.
Buildings with expansive blank walls facing the public right of way are prohibited. Large horizontal buildings would be broken into segments having vertical orientation.
Architectural elements and design variation, including building offsets, would be integrated to preclude a continuous uninterrupted facade. Side and rear building elevations would receive architectural treatments comparable to front facades when visible from a public right-of-way.
A significant landscape feature would be provided. Total landscaped are must not be less than 10 percent of the site area. Street trees would be provided around parking areas. Parking rows longer than 20 spaces would have a six foot wide landscaped island. There would be particular focus on landscaping the River Road frontage in a “creative and aesthetically-pleasing manner.”
Residents support new zone, but question certain bulk standards
During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Kathy Krickovic applauded the proposed creation of the new zoning district.
“We are in favor of and we’re here to support the creation of the new zone,” Krickovic said. “The uses are similar to the existing RC zone with the exception of hotels.”
Krickovic took issue, however, with the bulk standards for the front yard setback being zero. The existing front yard setback in area is 15 feet. She said Planning Board officials determined that 15 foot front yard setbacks were not feasible due to the short lot depth, but that setbacks would be necessary for pedestrians to safely traverse.
Krickovic brought a packet of pictures with her to explain her point. She showed empty lots of the west side of River Road at the corner of Churchill Road, followed by Lolita’s Mexican Cantina, Hasan’s Rug, and Beethoven’s Veranda, and some other stores, as well as townhouses, as well as the sidewalks nearby at issue.
“So it’s all developed as commercial properties and we agree that it should stay commercial,” Krickovic said. “The existing sidewalk in front of 8400 River Road, which has a light pole in the middle of the sidewalk… we have only 13 inches on one side and 19 inches on the other side. A person walking with a stroller, they actually have to walk on River Road because they cannot pass through on either side. Zepter has the fence directly on the property line. There’s zero setback.”
Residents ask for 5 foot front yard setback
Since the township is rezoning the area, Krickovic asked for a 5 foot set back at minimum. She said it is currently not defined by the ordinance.
Krickovic said the Board of Commissioners can set the bulk standards in the zoning district. She echoed that the existing zoning district for the area has a 15 foot setback.
Township Attorney Tom Kobin said that the street setback would be zero. He said that the board can set the standard higher for the front yard setback before the public hearing on the ordinance, since it first goes back to the Planning Board before final approval from the Board of Commissioners.
“We can intro it, and then raise these comments, see what the Planning Board says,” Kobin said. “I don’t know what the logic was from them to have that, although I think it was to make it more buildable, you need to zero setback. So we can raise that concern after it’s introduced.”
Krickovic again rasied the issue that the poles and a fire hydrant were blocking the sidewalk. Kobin agreed the pictures she showed the board supported her argument.
“Clearly, you can’t walk by on these things,” Kobin said. “I’ll raise the concerns with the Planning Board and see what the logic was and then we’ll talk about dealing with it.”
Issues to be addressed before ordinance adoption, officials say
“We’re not voting on anything other than an introduction right now,” Sacco said.
Krickovic also asked what the lot depth requirements were, to which Kobin said it was 75 feet. She said this was shorter in comparison to the existing district of 150 feet.
“You have to take into account… with 84 units nearby, we have a lot more people walking,” Krickovic said. “We want to make the town walkable. So it has to be safe. That’s the point.”
Krickovic also took issue with the trees that would be planted, noting that the ordinance does not denote they would be native trees. She said it was important to plant native trees to “preserve biodiversity, support wildlife, create a health ecosystem, brings clean water, purifies the air, maintains healthy soil, regulates the climate.”
Castro noted the township has a new policy of only planting native trees. She said that requirement would extend to this new zoning district.
“We are already moving in that direction,” Castro said. “We have a Green Environmental Advisory Committee that has already recommended to the Mayor and the Commissioners that. So anything moving forward that the township engages in will all be native.”
Nenad Krickovic also asked about the height and rear yard setbacks, which officials confirmed were three stories or 40 feet maximum and 10 feet minimum. He then thanked the board for creating the new district.
“I really appreciate you guys having this zoning to the RRC 2 Zone so we can have some services like professional services, personal services, some sales close to our neighborhood, he said. “There’s so much residential redevelopment so that’s going to help us a lot.”
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
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The summary of the project was filed in the city’s agenda “pertaining to an amendment to the Grand Jersey Redevelopment Plan regarding modifications to the street grid and regulating maps, building types, and street sections.”
