Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Meeting Dates
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Get involved in the process by attending the upcoming public meetings. This is an open process involving the community, so that no one will be left out. I understand that the survey results are a guide, and nothing is set in stone.
Posted on: 2006/8/18 18:37
|
|||
|
Agreement near on access to Korean War Memorial
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Agreement near on access to Korean War Memorial
Friday, August 18, 2006 By JOSHUA KEATING JOURNAL STAFF WRITER An agreement may be near in the ongoing controversy over access to the Korean War Memorial on Washington Street in Jersey City. The agreement - being worked out among the city, the Historic Paulus Hook Association and a group of Korean War veterans - would keep Washington Street open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to one of the participants. "We're very close to a compromise and it's going to be a good compromise for us and the veterans," said Steven Fulop, the city councilman who represents the area. The street - currently closed to cars - has been in a state of legal limbo for years, having been opened and closed several times by Mayors Glenn D. Cunningham and Jerramiah Healy. There has not been an ordinance adopted since 1995. Fulop said he hopes to have a completed agreement by next week. Korean War veteran Joseph Swinson, one of the so-called "renegades" who demanded the street be opened even after the Hudson County Korean War Veterans Association agreed to an earlier compromise, said he was satisfied with the talks. "Fulop is discussing this with both sides now," he said. "Before he was just talking to one side. Now we're being listened to." ? 2006 The Jersey Journal Look for the comments later today on the 25mc Blog
Posted on: 2006/8/18 16:29
|
|||
|
Double Dipping and Pensions - Get Out your Checkbook!
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
From today's Jersey Journal:
Don't look too far to find savings Friday, August 18, 2006 State lawmakers want to find a way to cut the budget and bring property tax relief, with suggestions ranging from cuts in the state health benefits plan to regionalizing services to consolidating the tiniest towns and school districts. But if they're looking to pinch pennies, maybe they can start with their own pockets. Or more precisely, their pensions. A huge chunk of our state dollars go to paying pensions for retired state employees, including our elected officials - nearly half of whom, according to a recent survey, have two or more public jobs. As it always seems to happen, the two state lawmakers heading the committee looking into state pension reform each holds a second public office. They aren't the only ones. According to the Associated Press's review, 42 percent of the Statehouse - 12 from the Senate and from the 38 Assembly - work more than one public job. And 21 of our state lawmakers hold two elected offices - including Bayonne Mayor and state Sen. Joseph V. Doria Jr., North Bergen Mayor and state Sen. Nick Sacco, West New York Mayor and Assemblyman Albio Sires, and Union City Mayor and Assemblyman Brian Stack. Each makes $49,000 a year in his part-time job as a state lawmaker, in addition to his salary as mayor. The Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C., recently ranked New Jersey as worst in the nation for politicians who "double dip" in the public trough. It's illegal in 38 states to hold dual offices. In Indiana, it's a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison. But not only is it legal in New Jersey - since 42 percent of lawmakers do it, it's almost the norm. None of this is news to our readers, and of course, if the people don't like paying multiple salaries to the same elected officials, they don't have to keep voting for them. But keep in mind you'll be paying them for a long, long time. These lawmakers are not only drawing multiple salaries today, but those multiple jobs also will inflate the size of their state pensions after they retire and reach age 60. Obviously, these lawmakers working two or even three jobs must be looking forward to a well-earned retirement. But perhaps it's not too much to ask that they base their pensions on just one of their many jobs? http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/b ... .xml?jjournal?edop&coll=3
Posted on: 2006/8/18 16:23
|
|||
|
Re: Trump Plaza - Make that a Single
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
This will be a nice opportunity for the developer to improve on the deal they got. They know the city is quick to capitulate. When councilmen state that they are getting a great deal for the people of Jersey City, we know what that really means.
Quote:
Posted on: 2006/7/10 16:06
|
|||
|
Trump Plaza - Jersey City
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Is the demand for high end condos in downtown JC less frothy than was once thought?
PAYMENT MISSED Question mark for more development at Trump complex Monday, July 10, 2006 By KEN THORBOURNE JOURNAL STAFF WRITER The Donald is hedging his bets on a twin-tower condo complex he is building in Downtown Jersey City. The casino and development mogul told The Jersey Journal he and his main partner in the deal, Hoboken-based Metro Homes, reneged on paying $1.9 million to the city, due June 1, because he's not convinced the project's proposed second tower will become reality. Also in the article: James McCann, the attorney representing Metro Homes, told the City Council at last week's meeting that banks financing the project are jittery about the prospects for selling out the second tower - perhaps thinking the bubble is about to burst in Jersey City's condo market. Read the rest of the Jersey Journal Article
Posted on: 2006/7/10 15:32
Edited by Webmaster on 2010/1/23 21:00:24
|
|||
|
Re: Three 40-plus story towers on 110 and 111 First Street sites.
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
We agree. There was no reason to ammend the PAD Redev Plan, or grant variances for the height. This is a slap in the face to City Planning - which produced a sound plan. Not only did we all loose in the PAD, but this may have a ripple effect which will impact other parts of the city. It sets a dangerous precedent that developers can sue the city at will to have redev plans amended.
Quote:
Posted on: 2006/6/29 15:08
|
|||
|
Skyscrapers coming to 111 First Street
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
I wasn't at the City Council meeting for the duration, but I heard that there were dozens of supporters that hammered the city council with their arguments in opposition of the settlement, and it went on for hours. This is from the 25mc.com blog:
The City Council voted 6-2 (with Fulop and Richardson in dissent) to accept the agreement with New Gold Properties paving the way for the construction of towers on the site of 110 and 111 First Streets. read more...
Posted on: 2006/6/29 14:12
|
|||
|
Re: Three 40-plus story towers on 110 and 111 First Street sites.
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
There is still time to get on the list to speak!
Before the end of the day call 201-547-5000 and ask for the Clerk. Quote:
Posted on: 2006/6/28 18:33
|
|||
|
Re: Three 40-plus story towers on 110 and 111 First Street sites.
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
There is also an article Todays's Star Ledger here.
The PAD Neighborhood Assoc meeting is also mentioned in the 25mc blog -- http://www.25mc.com (better to view the blog in Firefox or Opera). Quote:
Posted on: 2006/6/25 17:00
|
|||
|
Re: Joe Vas for Congress -- See for Yourself!!!
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Joe Vas concession speech at Liberty House 6.6.2006
![]()
Posted on: 2006/6/7 3:49
|
|||
|
Re: Joe Vas for Congress -- See for Yourself!!!
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Joe Vas - Democrat for Congress!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Vin Gopal (732-299-5625) Monday, June 5 2006 * LIST OF OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENTS * ORGANIZATIONS: * National Sierra Club * Hudson County Chapter of Democracy for America * Middlesex County Democratic Organization * The New Jersey Stonewall Democrats * Garden State Equality NEWSPAPERS * El Nuevo Coqui (Puerto Rican) Newspaper * The Post Eagle (Polish) Newspaper * El Mensaje Newspaper * El Observador Newspaper * The Urban Times Newspaper ELECTED OFFICIALS * 2004 Democratic Presidential Candidate, US Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) * Woodbridge Mayor Frank G. Pelzman * Elected City Councilmembers from Woodbridge * Elected School Board Members from Woodbridge * Elected City Councilmembers from Carteret * Elected School Board Members from Carteret * Perth Amboy City Council President Peter Jimenez * Elected Perth Amboy School Board * Perth Amboy Councilwoman Geraldine Bolanowski * Perth Amboy Councilman Frank Sinatra * Perth Amboy Councilman Robert Sottilaro * Downtown Jersey City Councilman Steven Fulop * Jersey City Political Activist Sandra Cunningham * Bayonne Councilman-at-large Anthony Chiappone * Bayonne Councilman-Elect Gary LaPelusa * Former Hoboken Councilman Carol Marsh * 8 out of 9 members of the Elizabeth School Board * Elizabeth City Councilman Bob Jaspan
Posted on: 2006/6/5 21:02
|
|||
|
Re: Tax abatement for Newport this Wednesday
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Without abatements:
The property is assessed, and taxes are paid to 1) the municipality (Jersey City), 2) the School district and 3) the county. Municipal, school and county tax are not fixed. Historically, county and school tax inccrease year to year, and the municipal portion of the tax stays flat. With abatement: A fixed amount (Payment In Lieu of Taxes ) is paid only to the city (municipal tax). Under a recent agreement, the county gets a fixed percentage -- 5%. Tax is not paid to the school district. The percentage of the municipal tax portion paid to the city is greater with the abatement, than without, so for the short term at least, this benefits the municipal budget. The amount of the abatement is fixed for a set period - 20 or 30 years. There are also other conditions that are attached to the abatement. A recent Jersey Journal article noted that these conditions are not consistently enforced. From the city?s perspective, as a short term budget plugging device, a PILOT is a good thing, since the city receives a greater percentage of the municipal tax, but this is at the expense of the school district and other municipalities in Hudson County that are not recipients of PILOTS. PILOTS are rarely if ever negotiated in the best interest of the city, for the long term. The calculations are kept from the public. Also, the state or home owners must subsidize the portion of the tax that would have gone to the school district. With PILOTs, there is room for developers to take advantage of the city, and for City Council members to reward preferred developers. PILOTs are not good or bad ? it all depends on how they are executed. They are used in JC as a short term fix, and I believe there will be hell to pay in the future. Abatements are no longer appropriate for luxury waterfront development. Quote:
Posted on: 2006/4/26 15:27
Edited by 25mcwilliams on 2006/4/26 16:08:34
Edited by 25mcwilliams on 2006/4/26 16:10:50 |
|||
|
Re: Final Recomendations to the St. Francis Hospital Redevelopment Plan
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Unused deeded parking spots can be rented out. The condo association's bylaws will govern who the spot can be rented to. For example, other condo owners may have highest priority.
Deeded parking arrangements almost always provide one spot per dwelling unit, with some owners able to purchase an additional spot. Deeded parking or rental of assigned spaces is less efficient than municipal deck parking, first come, first serve with no assigned spots. Unfortunately, this is not an option. Quote:
Posted on: 2006/3/28 19:51
|
|||
|
Re: Final Recomendations to the St. Francis Hospital Redevelopment Plan
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Getting a redevelopment plan approved is a long and excruciating process. There were two snags along the way that have delayed passage.
First, the developer went before the Historic Preservation Commission prematurely, since the blight study should have been approved first. As a result the developer had to go back to the HPC an additional time. Second, at the last Planning Board meeting on 3.14.2006, the decision was continued to the next meeting, which is tonight. The blame for this has been attributed to activists from one of the downtown condominiums, but there is evidence that the Planning Board needed more time to reach a decision due to the complexity of the Plan. We expect that the Redevelopment Plan will pass tonight, with conditions. Then the Plan will have to go before the city council two more times. Quote:
Posted on: 2006/3/28 19:39
|
|||
|
Re: Final Recomendations to the St. Francis Hospital Redevelopment Plan
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
The St. Francis block is in the heart of the Historic District. Allowing retail on the corners of the block seems to be OK, and I guess that most people in the community would find this acceptable, but from a historic perspective it may not be the right thing to do.
I believe that we should defer to the opinion of the JCLC regarding retail on McWilliams Place. If everyone did whatever they wanted in the Historic District, it would no longer be historic. I will not comment on each of the 17 recommendations, but they do point out some of the weaknesses of the plan, and the suggestions are reasonable and on point. The author of the recommendations should be commended. Quote:
Posted on: 2006/3/28 16:34
|
|||
|
Re: Public Notice St. Francis MONDAY, MARCH 20th, 2006
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
The purpose of the meeting tonight is to have the developer explain the proposed plan to the community.
There will probably be a presentation by the developer - a half hour or so, followed by questions and answers. The Planning Board ordered the developer to hold a community meeting prior to the Planning Board meeting 3.28.2006. This meeting fullfills that requirement.
Posted on: 2006/3/20 16:33
|
|||
|
Public Notice St. Francis MONDAY, MARCH 20th, 2006
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
PUBLIC NOTICE
ST. FRANCIS AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN INFORMATIONAL MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 20th, 2006 6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM St. Francis Nursing School 6th floor Corner of McWilliams Place and 8th Street ELEVATOR AVAILABLE ALL WELCOME - Please spread the word Exeter Property Services (201) 435-8000 www.saintfrancisjerseycity.com (The Planning Board ordered the developer to hold this public meeting)
Posted on: 2006/3/16 17:21
|
|||
|
Re: Planning Board Meeting 3/14 Agenda
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Here's the project - short version!
Specs of St. Francis Project: I. St. Francis Hospital blocks - north and south separated by restored Pavonia Ave. * 225 dwelling units *Tallest building: North Block - 12 floor/140 foot high-rise (Reduced from 155 Feet) *Tallest building: South Block - 11 floor/130 foot high-rise. (Reduced from 155 Feet) *Retail on ground level limited to 2,000 sq. feet (Reduced from 3,500 sq. feet) *Retail limited to the corners and along Pavonia Ave. *Other commercial 2nd floor or higher *Underground parking II. Erie Garage Block: *65 dwelling units *Tallest building - 9 floors/105 feet *Parking at this location *Retail on ground level limited to 2,000 Sq. Feet *Other commercial 2nd floor or higher III.Ninth Street (Park Hamilton Condo south lot): * 35 units * 5 Stories * Off street Parking allowed Parking - .8 parking spaces required for each dwelling unit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What do you think of the proposed plan???
Posted on: 2006/3/14 4:01
|
|||
|
Re: Planning Board Meeting 3/14 Agenda
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
The heights of the buidings are still of concern.
The current version of the Redevelopment Plan limits retail to 2,000 sq feet, which is an effective way of excluding chain stores. The Silvermans have approached several local merchants regarding relocating to Hamilton Square - or whatever it is ultimately called. Quote:
Posted on: 2006/3/13 17:33
|
|||
|
Re: Planning Board Meeting 3/14 Agenda
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Letter to the Editor from today's Jersey Journal:
Dear Editor, The St. Francis Hospital on Hamilton Park, and two nearby parcels will become a mixed use development of housing units and commercial/retail space . A redevelopment plan has been introduced to specify the size and scope of the project. This plan will go before the Planning Board tomorrow (March 14, 2006). We encourage our neighbors to attend this important meeting to voice their opinions on the various issues. Parking is an issue that has consistently been ranked as a major concern of Hamilton Park residents. New residents of the development will have the choice of either paying $10 a year for a permit to park on the street, or paying hundreds of dollars a month to park in the developer's parking facilities. If a condominium owner has a deeded parking space, they will be less likely to rely on street parking. The new development will increase the scarcity of street (zone) parking. To lessen the negative impact on availability of street parking, deeded parking for condominiums should be written into the Redevelopment Plan. Savvy buyers prefer condominiums with deeded parking, since the parking shortage will only get worse and maintaining control over parking protects their investment. The deeded parking requirement helps neighborhood residents by limiting the demand for on street parking. The condominium owner should be allowed to rent an unused space to neighborhood residents, to be compliant with sound urban planning principles. Allowing the developer to retain ownership of the parking facility and rent parking to the condominiums owners provides an exclusive parking franchise, which is unwarranted. The developer, Exeter Property Company, has a very good reputation, but it is not in the best interest of the community to have approximately 240 parking spaces under the control of a developer or their successors. Deeded Parking for this development is the right thing for our neighborhood, and the city. Steve Gold Coordinator 25mc Watchdog Group www.25mc.com
Posted on: 2006/3/13 13:27
|
|||
|
Re: Planning Board Meeting 3/14 Agenda
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
This letter to the editor by DanL appeared in the Jersey Journal 3.10.2006:
Dear Editor: The Jersey City Division of Planning is proposing a redevelopment plan for the St. Francis Hospital site, nearby parking garage and an open, non-adjacent lot currently used for parking. The St. Francis Hospital Adaptive Re-Use Redevelopment Plan proposes a dramatic up-zoning; changing the character and use in the heart of the Hamilton Park Historic District, one of Jersey City?s oldest historic districts and the adjacent Hamilton Park. The proposed redevelopment plan provides for huge increases in height and density. The resulting massing and scale would overwhelm the historic park and surrounding neighborhood. Existing open space and set backs on the site will be filled in with high-rise apartment buildings. The non adjacent sub-districts that are currently zoned R-2, four story residential are being up-zoned, one to nines stories and inappropriately included in the redevelopment plan to allow the hospital site to be built bigger than parking requirements would otherwise permit. This plan proposes a substantial new retail element, ground and first floor retail that is currently not permitted and would dramatically change the use and character of the historic district. Retail on this large scale will create parking and congestion problems across from the park and on nearby residential streets. This redevelopment plan is in direct conflict with the most recent Master Plan and revised Land Use Ordinance (Zoning) with no study or rational provided. No one from the Division of City Planning has met with or attended a public meeting to answer questions nor did they attend the public Historic Commission hearing on the plan. In their place, a developer who recently purchased the property, and had no more legal standing than any other member of the public, sat and negotiated with the commission on what could and could not be changed. It appears that this redevelopment plan was written by a potential developer and not City Planning. The redevelopment plan fails to address problems with the aging Rafael Cordero School, PS 37, directly across the street from two of the plan?s sites. The school has no school yard and cannot provide recess for almost 700 students. Elsewhere, residential and active commercial properties have been taken by the New Jersey School Construction Corporation. We are losing a golden opportunity to improve our school facilities. The density, massing, scale must be reduced and existing setbacks from the park preserved. Retail should not be permitted on the park side of the project and be limited to Erie Street corners, consistent with the fabric of the area. Hamilton Park is a beautiful place, not just as open space but because of the wall of row houses with high stoops surrounding it and the human scale of the historic neighborhood. This treasure is not respected by the proposed redevelopment plan. The plan as proposed, sets dangerous precedent for development and redevelopment in all of Jersey City?s Historic Districts and historic areas. Sincerely, Daniel Levin
Posted on: 2006/3/11 1:08
|
|||
|
Re: IMPORTANT FEEDBACK PLEASE ON PARKING - STEVEN FULOP
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
I'd bet that the vast majority of residents tht pay for parking already have a zone permit. When friends visit, the friend gets to park in the garage, the tenant parks in the street. One problem I see is a mix of year long apartment lease and month to month parking, since the monthly parking could increase before the end of the term of the housing unit.
If the parking fee increases, there should be the same notice given as for the rent increase. If the combination rent and parking fee is too high -the tenant can move or get rid of their car. The parking ordinance is not a total solution, but is a start. Quote:
Posted on: 2006/2/24 18:53
|
|||
|
Re: IMPORTANT FEEDBACK PLEASE ON PARKING - STEVEN FULOP
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
At city council the parking ordinance was withdrawn last night. Also, Mariano Vega was not at the meeting.
Posted on: 2006/2/23 14:54
|
|||
|
Re: IMPORTANT FEEDBACK PLEASE ON PARKING - STEVEN FULOP
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
In JC, as I understand it, new construction apt buildings - are not covered by rent control. When a lease expires, or when a new lease is offered, the landlord may charge whatever the market will bear. Is there no cap on rent increases for new construction apt buildings? Is there any control over ownership of the garage portion?
Also, I'm curious what ordinance or PA regulation excludes Jeannegenie's building from zone/ on street parking.
Posted on: 2006/2/22 20:26
|
|||
|
Re: Stop 171 Units On Brunswick!! New Date- 2/16/06 at 6:00 pm
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
I don't think so, but it would be great if it was available online.
Quote:
Posted on: 2006/2/17 21:16
|
|||
|
Re: Stop 171 Units On Brunswick!! New Date- 2/16/06 at 6:00 pm
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
I'm not sure I follow you. I think it was a good decision, and the compromise that the developer made was right on. The city is lucky to have Ms. Davis.
Quote:
Posted on: 2006/2/17 20:09
|
|||
|
Re: Stop 171 Units On Brunswick!! New Date- 2/16/06 at 6:00 pm
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
The variance sailed through the Zoning Board tonight. The board responded to comments from a fair number of outraged residents, responded to questions peppered at them by a lawyer hired by a neighbor, and a featherweight planning expert tried to refute some of the information presented by the former head of the Jersey City Planning Department..
Read more at the blog: www.25mc.com
Posted on: 2006/2/17 3:48
|
|||
|
Re: Stop 171 Units On Brunswick!! New Date- 2/16/06 at 6:00 pm
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Peter, the developer has lowered the density dramatically. Please visit our blog at www.25mc.com and look for the post on the Brunswick Development. Call the Zoning board tomorrow to hear for yourself.
Quote:
Posted on: 2006/2/16 0:21
|
|||
|
Re: HPNA neglects to hold Nominations for Elections
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quite a regular
![]() ![]() |
Lora, I sent it to your e-mail.
Quote:
Posted on: 2005/11/3 15:15
|
|||
|