View Larger Map Jersey City cites operator of group home for zoning violation Published: Friday, June 17, 2011, 3:03 AM By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal The operator of a group home for ex-convicts at 277 Pacific Ave. in Jersey City is being cited for violating zoning rules. Jersey City is attempting to boot a group home for ex-convicts from Pacific Avenue because city officials say the home is operating in violation of the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan. The home, located at 277 Pacific Ave. near Communipaw Avenue, cannot operate in the neighborhood because group homes for ex-offenders are not permitted in the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area, Wednesday?s violation notice states. The violation notice came after weeks of complaints from Pacific Avenue residents who claim the home?s operators did an ?end-run around the city? by not applying for zoning permits or variances. Residents, who raised their objections at Wednesday?s City Council meeting, noted that Pacific Avenue already has a group home for troubled youths and a methadone clinic. ?This is not OK,? said Rebecca Alice Shapiro, whose home sits across from 277 Pacific Ave. Shapiro, who considered buying the house last year before she settled on her current home, said her high-crime neighborhood is not appropriate for ex-offenders seeking to be reintroduced to the community. ?Downtown would be better,? she said. ?Or Newport.? The home has been run since May by the Most Excellent Way, a Christian organization that offers ?God-honoring resources for those desiring freedom from their addictions,? according to its website. Jeff Waldman, who said he works with the Most Excellent Way, disagrees with the city?s contention that 277 Pacific Ave. is a group home. ?This is a permanent residence. It?s no different than a house,? he said. The home caters to non-violent offenders who were in prison for a maximum of nine months, according to Waldman. The two residents living there now were in prison for writing bad checks, he said. ?The program is a good program,? he said. ?There has never been an incident in the house and there never will be.? Waldman said he didn?t know about the June 15 violation, which orders the owners to ?abate forthwith,? but said he?s sure the owners will fight it. Lycel Villanueva, a planner who lives in the neighborhood, told the council this week that she doesn?t want them to think of this as a NIMBY Not In My Backyard issue. ?We truly care about our neighborhood,? she said. ?Help us make Lafayette a better place to live.?