JSQCA Calls for City Council Action on Affordable Housing

The Journal Square Community Association expressed strong support for proposed amendments to the Journal Square Redevelopment Plan that could significantly expand affordable housing in the heart of Jersey City.

The key change would subject developments on lots with land areas of 9,000 square feet or more in four additional zones to the Mandatory Affordable Housing provisions of an ordinance passed by the City Council last fall. At present, only projects within Zones 1 and 3 of are subject to the provisions. The new proposal would add Districts 4, 4A, 7 and 8 (Bergen Square) to the covered area.

The proposed modifications were drafted by the City Planning Department in response to City Council passage of a “study” resolution initiated by Councilman Richard Boggiano. However, last Friday, Boggiano introduced a resolution to delay any consideration of the proposed amendments for 90 days. Boggiano’s resolution would also further delay consideration by the Planning Board until after the 90-day time period has expired. The Council is scheduled to vote on the resolution tonight.

“The JSQCA is strongly opposed to any effort to delay consideration of these measures,” said Fitzgerard Restituyo, JSQCA’s president. “We urge the City Council to turn down the councilman’s request.”

Restituyo noted that there have been two community meetings on the amendments at which residents expressed strong support for them. The JSQCA organized one of those meetings.

The community association leader pointed out that the Planning Board is currently scheduled to vote on the proposal at its May 6 meeting – giving it ample time to consider the amendments.

The amendments, which also include new off-street parking rules (with Mandatory Affordable Housing provisions) and support construction of the Loew’s Theater Art Walk, were originally to be discussed by the Planning Board on March 24. However, the City Planning Department has made changes in the originally proposed amendments to reflect comments at the community meetings.

“This is a measured response to the City Council debate on affordable housing, where nearly every Council member called for further expansion of this coverage,” said Chris Lamm, the JSQCA’s vice president.

“The proposal strongly protects single-family and 1-4 multi-family properties, which generally occupy land areas of 5,000 square feet or less,” added Lamm, who also chairs the JSQCA Construction and Planning Committee.