JERSEY CITY PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC NOTICE
REGULAR MEETING
Please take notice the Planning Board took the following action at the Regular Meeting of March 14,
2006:
1. Call to Order
2. Sunshine Announcement
3. Roll Call
4. Correspondence
5. Old Business:
Case: P05-005 Administrative Amendment
Applicant: PREIT Services, LLC
Attorney: John C. Phillips
Address: 701 Rt. 440
Block: 1751 Lot: 2, 4
Zone: WPD - Waterfront Planned Development
Description: Minor extension to sidewalk along Applebee?s
restaurant. Originally approved April 5, 2005.
6. New Business:
7. Section 31 Review. Municipal Parking Lot, Marin & Montgomery Streets.
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
8. Section 31 Review. Replace pedestrian bridges in Lincoln Park, submitted by the County of
Hudson. For recommendation.
Recommended.
9. Review and discussion of proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance. Formal
action may be taken for recommendation to Council.
Recommended with changes to City Council for Adoption.
10. Review and discussion of proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance on referral
from Council. Formal action may be taken.
Recommended with conditions to City Council for Adoption.
11. Review and discussion of proposed amendments to the Republic Container Redevelopment Plan.
Formal action may be taken.
Approved and recommended to City Council for adoption.
12. Review and discussion of the Report Concerning the Determination of the Proposed Bates Street
Study Area as ?An Area in Need of Redevelopment.? Formal action may be taken.
Approved with conditions and recommended to City Council for adoption.
13. Review and discussion of the proposed Bates Street Redevelopment Plan. Formal action may be
taken.
Approved with additional language and recommended to City Council for adoption.
14. Review and discussion of the Report Concerning the Determination of the Proposed Merseles
Street Study Area as ?An Area in Need of Redevelopment.? Formal action may be taken.
Approved and recommended to City Council for adoption.
15. Review and discussion of the proposed Merseles Street Redevelopment Plan. Formal action may
be taken.
Approved with additional language and recommended to City council for adoption.
16. Review and discussion of the Report concerning the determination of the proposed Majestic
Theater II Study Area as ?An area in need of redevelopment.? Formal action may be taken.
Approved and recommended to City Council for adoption.
17. Review and discussion of the proposed Majestic Theater II Redevelopment Plan. Formal action
may be taken.
Approved and recommended to City Council for adoption.
18. Review and discussion of the proposed amendments to the Martin Luther King Redevelopment
Plan. Formal action may be taken.
Tabled.

19. Review and discussion of the proposed St. Francis Hospital Adaptive Re-Use Redevelopment
Plan. Formal Action may be taken.
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.

20.. Case: P05-132 Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan with ?c? variances
Applicant: John Crowley
Attorney: Charles Harrington
Address: 165-169 Academy Street
Block: 1884 Lot: P, Q, Q.1
Zone: O/R - Office Residential
Description: New 9-story building with 33 residential units and 34 garage parking spaces
Variances: Lot area, lot width, rear yd, side yd, lot cov., bld. coverage, parking aisle width
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
Planning Board Meeting
March 14, 2006
Page 2
21. Case: P05-150 Minor Subdivision
Applicant: Summit Avenue Homes, LLC
Attorney: Eugene Squeo
Address: 195-197 Van Horne St.
Block: 2041 Lot: X & Y
Zone: Morris Canal
Description: Re-subdivision of two lots to create two new conforming lots of 2,500 sf and
2,800 sf.
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
22. Cases: P06-014 Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan
Applicant: Newport Associates Development Company
Attorney: Charles Harrington
Address: Marin Boulevard & 18 Street th
Block: 20 Lot: 4.01 Block: 19 Lot: A.12
Zone: Newport
Description: Addition of 42 parking spaces
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
23. Cases: P05-026 Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan
Applicant: New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC
Attorney: Judith Babinski
Address: 101 Linden Avenue
Block: 1507 Lot: 20&21
Zone: Greenville Industrial Redevelopment Plan Area
Description: New cellular phone monopole.
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
24 Cases: P05-162 Minor Site Plan with ?c? variance
Applicant: New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC
Attorney: Judith Babinski
Address: 487 Bramhall Avenue
Block: 1963 Lot: 15, 16, 17.T
Zone: R-1 One and two family housing
Description: New cellular phone antennas.
Variances: Telecommunication equipment on a roof less than 60 feet in height.
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
25. Cases: P05-130 Minor Site Plan with ?c? variance
Applicant: Omnipoint Communications, INC
Attorney: Dean Stamos
Address: 1584 JFK Boulevard
Block: 1376 Lot: 88.A
Zone: NC Neighborhood Commercial
Description: New cellular phone antennas.
Variances: Telecommunication equipment on a roof less than 60 feet in height.
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
26. Cases: P05-167 Minor Subdivision with ?c? variances
Applicant: Luis Garcia
Attorney: Pro Se
Address: 57-59 Wallis Ave.
Block: 1616 Lot: 24, 25
Zone: R-1 One and two family housing
Description: Subdivision of existing lot into two undersized lots of 2,000 sf for the
construction of two new two family homes
Variances: lot area (both lots), lot width (both lots)
Carried to March 28, 2006 regular meeting.
27. Certified thirteen(13) Artists as recommended by the Jersey City Artist Certification Board
meeting of March 14, 2006.
28. Memorialized the following resolutions, available for review at the Office of City Planning, 30
Montgomery Street, 14 flr., Suite # 1400, Jersey City, NJ: th
(1) Resolution of the Planning Board of the City of Jersey City Approving the Master Plan Reexamination
Report.
(2) Resolution of the Planning Board of the City of Jersey City Approving Preliminary Site Plan with
Deviations # P05-108 submitted by Mushroom Development, LLC (321-323 First Street)
(3) Resolution of the Planning board of the City of Jersey City Approving Preliminary Site Plan with
Deviations # P06-010 submitted by Capital Development Realty, LLC (385-387 Communipaw
Avenue).
(4)Resolution of the Planning Board of the City of Jersey City Approving Preliminary Site Plan with
Deviations # P06-009 submitted by 302 Communipaw Ave., LLC (302-306 Communipaw Avenue).
(5) Resolution of the Planning Board of the City of Jersey City Approving Minor Subdivision
with Deviations # P05-173 submitted by Mushroom Dev., LLC (321-323 First Street).
(6) Resolution of the Planning Board of the City of Jersey City Approving Preliminary & Final
Site Plan with ?c? Variances # P04-106 submitted by Lori Raymond ( 829 Bergen Avenue).
(7) Resolution of the Planning Board of the City of Jersey Cty Approving Major Site Plan with
Deviations # P05-140 submitted by Importer Services Corp. (152 & 156 Pine Street).
29. Executive Session, as needed, to discuss litigation, personnel or other matters
30. Adjournment
JOHN CARDWELL, CHAIRMAN, PLANNING BOARD

Thanks for the cheat sheet 25mcwilliams

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???

I agree. WHYYYYYYY????

Quote:

No question, this the redevelopment plan proposed for St. Francis Hosptial will completelly change the character and use of the area and park while not providing any rational why.

The plan proposes to fill in the set backs for the exsiting non-conforming hospital buildings with high rise buildings. Both filling in the set backs and high rises make no sense at all and will negtively impact the park and surrounding area. All new construction should limited to 4 story residential as the rest of the area is zoned.

Any new retail, which is currently not permitted in the historic district will create parking, congestion, trash and noise issues, while some may be warranted, it should not be permited on the park side of the project. Only building entrances and townhouses should be permitted on the parkside.

Hopefully, City Planning will finally provide some rationale for this massive upzoning of a historic residential district.

Maybe even explain why they are proposing high-rise buildings 50% taller than the tallest building being built in the brand new Liberty Harbor North neighborhood off Grand St.

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:

The height of buildings on previously low-rise streets like Ninth and Erie Streets is a big concern. A nine-story building in place of the garage and a five story building next to the much smaller brownstones on Ninth Street is reason to be afraid of some parts of this project.

Also, how will local merchants be affected by the new retail in the neighborhood, will there be duplication of services we already get or will there be chains?

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

Dont't take a chance. Sometimes the agenda is juggled. Be there as early as possible.

Quote:

I notice that all the posts about change coming to Hamilton Park were lost.
Did anyone see the lead story about the St. Francis Development in the Jersey City Reporter?

Quote:

Hmmm.. you might want to bring your knitting project.

Being #18 on the Agenda, wonder what time that will be?

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

I notice this meeting is at 5:30PM, not 6PM or 6:30PM as the other meetings. The St. Francis Hospital Redevelopment issue is very important for Hamilton Park residents

JERSEY CITY PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC NOTICE
REGULAR MEETING
Please be advised the following items will be heard at a Regular Meeting of the Jersey City
Planning Board, scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers,
City Hall, 280 Grove Street, Second Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey.
1. Call to Order
2. Sunshine Announcement
3. Roll Call
4. Correspondence
5. Old Business:
Case: P05-005 Administrative Amendment
Applicant: PREIT Services, LLC
Attorney: John C. Phillips
Address: 701 Rt. 440
Block: 1751 Lot: 2, 4
Zone: WPD - Waterfront Planned Development
Description: Minor extension to sidewalk along Applebee?s restaurant. Originally approved
April 5, 2005.
New Business
6. Section 31 Review. Municipal Parking Lot, Marin & Montgomery Streets
7. Section 31 Review. Replace pedestrian bridges in Lincoln Park, submitted by the County of
Hudson. For recommendation.
8. Review and discussion of proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance. Formal
action may be taken for recommendation to Council.
9. Review and discussion of proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance on referral
from Council. Formal action may be taken.
10. Review and discussion of proposed amendments to the Republic Container Redevelopment Plan.
Formal action may be taken.
11. Review and discussion of the Report Concerning the Determination of the Proposed Bates Street
Study Area as ?An Area in Need of Redevelopment.? Formal action may be taken.
12. Review and discussion of the proposed Bates Street Redevelopment Plan. Formal action may be
taken.
13. Review and discussion of the Report Concerning the Determination of the Proposed Merseles
Street Study Area as ?An Area in Need of Redevelopment.? Formal action may be taken.
14. Review and discussion of the proposed Merseles Street Redevelopment Plan. Formal action may
be taken.
15. Review and discussion of the Report concerning the determination of the proposed Majestic
Theater II Study Area as ?An area in need of redevelopment.? Formal action may be taken.
16. Review and discussion of the proposed Majestic Theater II Redevelopment Plan. Formal action
may be taken.
17. Review and discussion of the proposed amendments to the Martin Luther King Redevelopment
Plan. Formal action may be taken.

18. Review and discussion of the proposed St. Francis Hospital Adaptive Re-Use Redevelopment Plan.
Formal Action may be taken.

19. Case: P05-132 Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan with ?c? variances
Applicant: John Crowley
Attorney: Charles Harrington
Address: 165-169 Academy Street
Block: 1884 Lot: P, Q, Q.1
Zone: O/R - Office Residential
Description: New 9-story building with 33 residential units and 34 garage parking spaces
Variances: Lot area, lot width, rear yd, side yd, lot cov., bld. coverage, parking aisle width
Carry to March 28, 2006
Planning Board Meeting
March 14, 2006
Page 2
20. Case: P05-150 Minor Subdivision
Applicant: Summit Avenue Homes, LLC
Attorney: Eugene Squeo
Address: 195-197 Van Horne St.
Block: 2041 Lot: X & Y
Zone: Morris Canal
Description: Re-subdivision of two lots to create two new conforming lots of 2,500 sf and
2,800 sf.
Carry to March 28, 2006
21. Cases: P06-014 Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan
Applicant: Newport Associates Development Company
Attorney: Charles Harrington
Address: Marin Boulevard & 18 Street th
Block: 20 Lot: 4.01 Block: 19 Lot: A.12
Zone: Newport
Description: Addition of 42 parking spaces
Carry to March 28, 2006
22. Cases: P05-026 Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan
Applicant: New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC
Attorney: Judith Babinski
Address: 101 Linden Avenue
Block: 1507 Lot: 20&21
Zone: Greenville Industrial Redevelopment Plan Area
Description: New cellular phone monopole.
Carry to March 28, 2006
23 Cases: P05-162 Minor Site Plan with ?c? variance
Applicant: New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC
Attorney: Judith Babinski
Address: 487 Bramhall Avenue
Block: 1963 Lot: 15, 16, 17.T
Zone: R-1 One and two family housing
Description: New cellular phone antennas.
Variances: Telecommunication equipment on a roof less than 60 feet in height.
Carry to March 28, 2006
24. Cases: P05-130 Minor Site Plan with ?c? variance
Applicant: Omnipoint Communications, INC
Attorney: Dean Stamos
Address: 1584 JFK Boulevard
Block: 1376 Lot: 88.A
Zone: NC Neighborhood Commercial
Description: New cellular phone antennas.
Variances: Telecommunication equipment on a roof less than 60 feet in height.
Carry to March 28, 2006
25. Cases: P05-167 Minor Subdivision with ?c? variances
Applicant: Luis Garcia
Attorney: Pro Se
Address: 57-59 Wallis Ave.
Block: 1616 Lot: 24, 25
Zone: R-1 One and two family housing
Description: Subdivision of existing lot into two undersized lots of 2,000 sf for the construction
of two new two family homes
Variances: lot area (both lots), lot width (both lots)
Carry to March 28, 2006
26. Certification of Artists as recommended by the Jersey City Artist Certification Board
27. Memorialization of Resolutions
28. Executive Session, as needed, to discuss litigation, personnel or other matters
29. Adjournment
JOHN CARDWELL, CHAIRMAN, PLANNING BOARD