This meeting of the Jersey City Planning Board was held on August 27, 2025, beginning at 5:30 PM. Five commissioners were present, establishing a quorum. The board addressed multiple applications including subdivisions, site plan extensions, and major site plans, with significant public testimony regarding a proposed 11-story building at 829 Bergen Avenue. The meeting also included several carries to future dates and unanimous approvals of less contentious items.
Case B2025-001 (595 Norwick Avenue) – City Subdivision: The city and county seek to subdivide a 5.45-acre parcel to create a 3.2-acre public park. The parcel currently houses the Brennan Courthouse and administration building; the new courthouse across the street will allow relocation and demolition for the park. A C2 variance is needed because the preservation zone prohibits subdivision. Director Barca Patel testified that the city has conducted community engagement, and the county will maintain the park. Staff recommended approval. The board voted unanimously to approve.
Case P2025-0135 (173 Academy Street) – One-Year Extension: Applicant requested an extension to August 10, 2026, due to potential redevelopment plan amendments. No opposition beyond Mr. Golowski's general notice complaint. Staff recommended approval with prior conditions. Unanimously approved.
Case P2025-0153 (306 Newark Avenue) – One-Year Extension: Extension to July 20, 2026, sought due to delays in historic review. Similar public comment on notice. Unanimously approved.
Case P2025-0071 (829 Bergen Avenue) – Major Site Plan: Proposed 11-story, 77-unit residential building with 10% affordable housing (8 units), retail on ground floor, and no parking (previously approved plan had 20 spaces). Variances requested for lot area, lot width, rear yard setback, and rooftop coverage. Traffic engineer Nicholas Kennedy testified that the area is highly walkable with transit access, and that removing the driveway improves pedestrian safety. Planner Carolyn Worstell argued the project meets MLUL criteria and that the variances are justified. The board, however, heard extensive public safety concerns, particularly regarding a 1-inch gap between the new building and existing church, fire code compliance for windows adjacent to the church's fire escape, and demolition safety. Board members expressed that the community's issues had not been resolved despite prior meetings. The applicant requested a carry to September 23, 2025, for further discussions. The board granted the carry with preservation of notice.
Case P2024-012 (111 Colden Street) – Final Major Site Plan: Five-story, 16-unit residential building with five parking spaces. One variance for 14-foot aisle width (required 22 feet) due to floodplain-related elevation of electrical room. Architect and civil engineer testified that the arrangement is safe for low traffic. Public had no comment. Staff recommended approval with condition that roof and balcony railings have no more than 2-inch gap. Unanimously approved.
Case P2024-0242 (194-196 Culver Avenue) – Preliminary/Final Major Site Plan: Four-story, nine-unit residential building with six parking spaces, located in the Route 440/Culver Redevelopment Plan Mid-Rise A district. Five deviations from the plan (lot area, lot width, side yard setback, rear yard setback, building coverage). Applicant built four stories instead of six and included sustainability features (green roof, bioswale, car share, EV charging). Planner Worstell testified that the benefits outweigh detriments. Public testimony was supportive. Staff recommended approval. Unanimously approved with conditions.
Additional Carries: Case P2025-0038 (427 Bergen Avenue) and Case P2024-0236 (660 Grove Street) were both carried to September 23, 2025, at the applicants' request.
Yes, good evening, Acting Chair. Today is Tuesday, August 26th, in the year 2025. This is a Jersey City Planning Board meeting with a scheduled 5 30 p.m. start time. And in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, notice of this meeting was given to the editor of the Bergen Record, L Espelito, and posted with the City Clerk on August 22nd of this year. This meeting was also posted on the Jersey City Division of City Planning webpage, and all distribution materials made available to the board were published and made available to the public. Thank you. Can we have the roll call, please? Yes. Acting Vice Chair, Commissioner Torres. Yeah. Commissioner Stamato. Here. Commissioner Lipske. Here. Doc Commissioner Dr. Desai. Here. And Acting Chair Gongaden. Here. All right. We have five commissioners present. We have a quorum. Thank you. Can we swear in a staff, please? I see Matt, Joe, Matt, Ben, Eric, and Cam. You guys write someone you can make the tree and the whole truth and nothing. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Cam, any correspondence? Yes, Chair. We have under new business item 14. Case P 2024-0219. Address is 115 Giles Avenue for a preliminary and final major site plan requesting to carry with preservation of notice to October 28th. And it was it's Giles actually. So that is uh carried with preservation of notice to October 28th. Next, it is item 18 on the agenda. It is case P 2025-0108, a site plan amendment. Address is six uh 612 Pavonia Avenue, and they've requested a carry with preservation of notice to September 23rd of this year. And then the very last item on the agenda, that is item 19, case P2025-0027. It is review and discussion of amendments to the Bay Street Redevelopment Plan. Uh they have requested a carry with preservation of notice to September 9th. September 9th. Yes, and that is the next regularly scheduled meeting. What is the second meeting? The second one is 18. 18. Yes. Carried to September 23rd.