Council moving to amend regs on Ward F new homes
Thursday, August 23, 2007
By EARL MORGAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Responding to complaints from Jersey City residents about building code violations, the City Council yesterday introduced amendments to the city's construction requirements in Ward F.

The measure would increase the required lot size, minimum front yard setback and building coverage "to protect the character of certain streets."

The council's action was prompted by constituent complaints and articles in The Jersey Journal about a number of illegal apartments the city's Housing Task Force has run across in newly constructed two-family homes.

The changes for Ward F will be followed by amendments to the code for other neighborhoods in the city. The task force has inspected and uncovered over 200 illegal apartments, many of them in newly constructed in-fill two-family homes, in the past several months.

City officials said the illegal apartments violate the fire code because firefighters dispatched to handle a blaze that breaks out in one of these houses are often not aware that a third, ground-floor apartment exists, usually behind the garage.

These new homes often have no front yard setback and are out of character with others on their street.

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They were hoping a giving public will pay for the repairs like any other need the public requires.......City hall has a user pays mentality!

Weigh tightening rules on new 2-family homes

Tuesday, August 21, 2007
By EARL MORGAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Jersey City City Council is expected to introduce an ordinance tomorrow that would place new restrictions on the construction of two-family, in-fill homes, which have been springing up throughout the city's Ward F.

The ordinance, unveiled at yesterday's caucus, is part of an effort by the council to address complaints and concerns council members said they have received from residents about the lot size and front and side yard setbacks for the construction of new houses.

The council will also vote to adopt an ordinance transferring ownership of 509 Martin Luther King Drive to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, to be eventually included in the Martin Luther King Drive Redevelopment plan.

At one point during yesterday's caucus, council members expressed irritation at being unable to get an answer about which city agency, if any, is responsible for maintaining bus shelters.

Councilman Steve Lipski noted that the shelter in front of Christ Hospital on Palisade Avenue is so damaged it offers little shelter for hospital patients waiting for buses.

Councilwoman Mary Spinello said she has been spinning her wheels in efforts to have someone repair a shelter near the intersection of Duncan Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard. They said they are hoping that a scheduled meeting with Mayor Jerramiah Healy will lead to a resolution of the problem.

Because the Council Chambers at City Hall are not air-conditioned, for several years the council has held its summer meetings in more comfortable locations.

Tomorrow's session, scheduled for 10 a.m., will be held in Liberty Science Center, 251 Phillip St., in the third-floor board room.