heights wrote:
Why have any zoning laws, and while we're at it lets end licenses, passports, rules, insurance, heck we'll just wing everything.

jc_dweller wrote:
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brewster wrote:
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petey8 wrote:
If a property is zoned as R-2 does that automatically mean that property is or can be made into a 2 family dwelling?

Surely you can figure out that nothing is automatic, and as I said, R-1 is 2 family anyway. For an existing structure: "it depends". For increasing units in any zone depends on many things, like the square footage and how well connected is your attorney. I've heard they can be tough on splitting units though.

I'm not sure where you get your info but it's wrong. Existing structures don't "depend" any more than new ones do. Existing 2 families in an R-1 zone are allowed to remain 2 families. Period. Anything else has to go to the ZOning Board and ask for relief (which is rarely granted).

brewster wrote:
Quote:

petey8 wrote:
If a property is zoned as R-2 does that automatically mean that property is or can be made into a 2 family dwelling?

Surely you can figure out that nothing is automatic, and as I said, R-1 is 2 family anyway. For an existing structure: "it depends". For increasing units in any zone depends on many things, like the square footage and how well connected is your attorney. I've heard they can be tough on splitting units though.

brewster wrote:
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jc_dweller wrote:
They don't meet fire code - 3 families require sprinklers.

Utterly untrue for older buildings. There's so much BS on this thread on both sides. Yes, people are breaking the law to have unzoned apartments, but they are not hazardous by definition, many are up to any code standard, but simply not zoned. However, since the construction cannot be done under permit with inspections, this increases the incentive for the unscrupulous to do substandard or dangerous work.

What creates this problem is the absurd, virtually suburban, R-1 zoning passed by Schundler over almost all of older residential JC. On a full sized 25x100 lot one can only construct a 2 family with a height of 35 ft. JC is full of lots of this size with older 8 unit buildings! This zoning amounts to a move to lower the density of JC everywhere but the redevelopment zones. But "new urbanist" philosophy cites density as a good thing, high density brings services & commercial development that improves quality of life. Car parking gets more difficult, and for some people that's the only issue that matters, but we can't let city life be ruled by cars, that's for the suburbs.

One of the few sensible things to come out of the Healy camp was the idea to inspect and put the apartments that are up to building code, but not zoned, on the tax rolls.

WhoElseCouldIBe wrote:
So yeah, if you've actually spent part of your day to report an illegal apartment, you might want to reassess your priorities or look for a productive hobby. I bet there's at least 100 other ways to spend that time in which you could more efficiently benefit your life.

But nah, you'd rather mess with someone else's living situation. What are you avoiding in your life?

petey8 wrote:
If a property is zoned as R-2 does that automatically mean that property is or can be made into a 2 family dwelling?

jc_dweller wrote:
They don't meet fire code - 3 families require sprinklers.

SOS wrote:
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ianmac47 wrote:
You people are all assholes.

You are basically #OOPS#ing over the tenant who presumably found a slightly less over priced rental unit.

Congratulations on being the worst neighbors ever.

The woman mentioned in this article nearly paid with her life for for a "less over priced rental unit."

Jersey City woman rushed to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning; landlord likely to face fines for 'illegal' units
Published: Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 3:00 AM
By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal

A WOMAN was rushed to the hospital yesterday with carbon monoxide poisoning at 101-103 Magnolia Ave. in Jersey City. Firefights say they found three illegal units in a basement at the two, six-unit buildings. Here, the owner of the buildings, right, talks with authorities.
A Jersey City woman was rushed to a hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning yesterday afternoon and officials later shut down all hot water heaters at her address and in a second building, officials said.
When firefighters responded to the two, six-unit buildings at 101-103 Magnolia Ave., they found three illegal units in a basement, Fire Director Armando Roman said.
Responding Public Service Electric & Gas workers inspected the buildings and shut down the water heaters, Roman said.
The woman who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center and she was expected to be OK, Roman said.
The owner, who lives in one of the buildings, will likely face fines regarding the illegal apartments, Roman said.
? 2012 NJ.com. All rights reserved.

ianmac47 wrote:
You people are all assholes.

You are basically #OOPS#ing over the tenant who presumably found a slightly less over priced rental unit.

Congratulations on being the worst neighbors ever.

vindication15 wrote:
How is the illegal apartment affecting your way of life?

if it isn't then you should mind your own business. If the tenants are disturbing you, you should go ahead and report.

jc_dweller wrote:
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heights wrote:
Nothing is going to happen as long as the property taxes are paid that is all that matters. And pay those parking tickets as well.

That's completely false.
Missmags is right, though.

vindication15 wrote:
How is the illegal apartment affecting your way of life?

if it isn't then you should mind your own business. If the tenants are disturbing you, you should go ahead and report.

driverjase wrote:
What exactly is the definition of an illegal apartment?

Is there any relation between that and a neighbor renting out his 2 bedroom to multiple people while still living there? The people are changing constantly, and when he has been asked about them he says they are roommates (not paying rent) or family (never the same family member twice).

We're a small building and it gets a little creepy sometimes when a random guy comes into the laundry room or the front door, etc. Especially with the uptick of crime in downtown recently.

vindication15 wrote:
How is the illegal apartment affecting your way of life?

if it isn't then you should mind your own business. If the tenants are disturbing you, you should go ahead and report.

vindication15 wrote:
How is the illegal apartment affecting your way of life?

heights wrote:
Nothing is going to happen as long as the property taxes are paid that is all that matters. And pay those parking tickets as well.