Jersey City Planning Board Meeting - January 14, 2026

The Jersey City Planning Board met on January 14, 2026 (transcript notes the meeting was called to order on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. – a discrepancy in the recorded date is noted). The meeting was chaired by Chairman Langston with Acting Vice Chair Gongadin and Commissioners Wick, Stamato, Patel present (5 members, quorum). Staff and counsel were sworn. A security reminder was issued: no testimony after 10 p.m. and no new matters after 9:30 p.m. The board considered multiple applications including extensions, artist certifications, site plans, variances, and a subdivision.

Consent Calendar

• Case P2025-0219 (200 Kellogg Street / 1 Bayfront Avenue): One-year extension for a previously approved six-story mixed-use building (210 units, 74 affordable, 52 parking spaces, ground floor retail) from November 15, 2025 to November 15, 2026. The developer closed with the JCRA before the new year. Staff recommended approval with prior conditions. Motion carried unanimously.
• Artist Certification: Jazz Graf and Chantel Martin were certified as artists for artist housing, meeting criteria 1-5. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For each agenda item, the Chair asked if any member of the public wished to comment. In every case, no one from the public came forward. The public portion was closed by motion and second for each item.

Discussion Items

• Case P2024-0215 (231st Street, Harsmus Cove Historic District): Minor site plan with two C variances for a four-story, four-unit infill building on a vacant parking lot. Variances: height (43’11” vs. 40’) and building coverage (63% vs. 60%). The height increase was to align the first floor with adjacent historic buildings. Applicant’s architect William Weckenman and planner Samuel Bellamy testified that the design meets historic district standards and reduces impervious coverage. Staff recommended approval with conditions from a September 18, 2025 memo. Motion carried unanimously.
• Case P2025-0038 (427 Bergen Avenue, R3 zone): Preliminary and final major site plan with one C variance (bicycle storage location in rear shed). Four-story, 23-unit building (one studio, 16 one-bedroom, five two-bedroom, one three-bedroom) using affordable housing overlay resulting in two affordable units (one three-bedroom, one two-bedroom). Applicant Thomas Lean and architect Jeffrey Lewis presented. The building is fully conforming except for bike storage. Staff noted the variance poses no egress issues and recommended approval with conditions. Motion carried unanimously.
• Case P2025-0025 (114 Lincoln Street, R1 zone): Minor site plan for a three-story, eight-unit building with ground-floor adult daycare. One affordable unit (three-bedroom) provided via affordable housing overlay. The applicant worked with staff on design (red brick, street trees). The adult daycare is a permitted use (supervised care for adults with physical/mental limitations). Staff found the use inherently beneficial and recommended approval. Motion carried unanimously.
• Case P2025-0070 (28-30 Winfield Avenue, R1 zone): Minor site plan for a three-story, five-unit building (all three-bedroom) on a 40’x125’ lot, replacing a single-family home. No variances. Includes a four-car garage, private yards, roof decks. Applicant Jeffrey Lewis testified. Staff noted compliance with R1 design standards and recommended approval. Motion carried unanimously.
• Case P2025-0141 (421 New York Avenue, R1 zone): Minor site plan with two C variances for adaptive reuse and expansion of an existing four-family house (no density increase). Variances: number of stories (four vs. three, but height remains 35’) and front yard lot coverage (66% proposed vs. 50% max, down from existing 100%). Applicant Benjamin Wine, architect Arlenis Dominguez, and planner Carolyn Worstell testified. Improvements include reducing non-conformities, adding green roof, French drain, and screening. Staff recommended approval with conditions, adding a condition for French drain and revised plans. Motion passed 4-1 (Commissioner Gongadin voted no).
• Case P2024-0213 (33 Pacific Avenue, Canal Crossing Redevelopment Area): Preliminary and final major site plan with deviations for a pioneering eight-story, 99-unit building (15 affordable) with ground-floor retail and 29 parking spaces. Applicant Tom Lean, civil engineer Rocco Marucci, and architect Jim Monteford testified. The site required DEP flood hazard permit (building at elevation 14, 1’ above base flood). Deviations: two curb cuts (one for garage, one for loading) and 24’ two-way egress width (vs. 20’ max). The project is the first in the redevelopment area; infrastructure improvements will be coordinated with JCMUA and JCRA. Staff supported the deviations. Motion carried unanimously.
• Case P2024-0109 (3169 JFK Boulevard, R1 zone): Conditional use for a three-story building with ground-floor retail (café, retail, or office) and two residential units above. Variances: rear yard setback (3’ vs. 24’ required) and roof deck setback (3’ from Floyd Street vs. 10’). Applicant Tom Lean, architect Jeffrey Lewis, and planner Samuel Bellamy testified. The site is an undersized corner lot (25’x80’). Staff found the project meets conditional use criteria and that variances do not impair the zone plan. Motion carried unanimously.
• Case P2025-0216 (2030 Danforth Avenue): Minor subdivision – two-lot subdivision of a 50’x110’ lot into two conforming 25’x110’ lots. No variances, no curb cuts. Applicant Mr. Burke noted straightforward compliance. Staff recommended approval. Motion carried unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Case P2025-0219: Approved (5-0).
• Artist Certifications: Approved (5-0).
• Case P2024-0215: Approved (5-0) with conditions.
• Case P2025-0038: Approved (5-0) with conditions.
• Case P2025-0025: Approved (5-0) with conditions.
• Case P2025-0070: Approved (5-0) with conditions.
• Case P2025-0141: Approved (4-1) with conditions (Commissioner Gongadin opposed).
• Case P2024-0213: Approved (5-0) with conditions (including railing spacing ≤2 inches).
• Case P2024-0109: Approved (5-0) with conditions.
• Case P2025-0216: Approved (5-0) with conditions.
• Memorialization: Resolutions for previously approved cases (P2025-0038, P2023-0107, P2023-0013, P2023-0014, P2025-0048) were adopted unanimously.
• Carried Items: Cases P2024-0008 (33 Division St.) and P2025-0073 (569 Palisade Ave.) carried to March 10, 2026; Case P2025-0150 (202 Plainfield Ave.) carried to February 24, 2026; Case 22 (item 22) was withdrawn.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after executive session was waived.