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Record of Proceedings

Jersey City Planning Board Meeting – May 12, 2026: Chair and Vice Chair Step Down; Reorganization and Major Approvals

Planning Board — Wednesday, May 13, 2026
BodyJersey City, New Jersey
SessionPlanning Board
DateWednesday, May 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:04

I believe United States America to the Republican liberty source.

0:18

Good evening, Cam.

0:20

Could we have a sunshine announcement, please?

0:22

Yes, Chairman.

0:22

Good evening, everyone.

0:23

Today is Tuesday, May 12th in the year 2026.

0:26

This is a Jersey City Planning Board meeting with a scheduled 530 p.m.

0:29

start time.

0:30

And in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

0:33

Notice of this meeting has been posted with the City Clerk on the City Bulletin and City Website on May 8th of this year.

0:39

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.

0:49

All right.

0:50

Thank you, Cam.

0:50

Could we have a roll call, please?

0:52

Yes.

0:53

Vice Chair Dr.

0:54

Gonzalez.

0:55

Here.

0:55

Commissioner Gongadin.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Commissioner Wick.

0:58

Here.

0:58

Commissioner Councilwoman Little.

1:00

Here.

1:02

Commissioner Kaplan.

1:04

I here.

1:05

Commissioner Barnaby.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Commissioner Patel.

1:08

And Chairman Langston.

1:09

Here.

1:09

All right.

1:09

We have eight commissioners present.

1:11

We have a quorum.

1:12

All right.

1:12

Thank you.

1:12

Could we swear in the staff, please, Mike?

1:17

Joe, Sophia, Matt, Ben, Ken, do you guys want to get to me to shoot the whole truth?

1:23

Yes.

1:23

Thank you.

1:25

Okay, Cam, do we have any correspondence?

1:28

Yes, Chairman.

1:29

And for the record, uh, we've marked into evidence B1, the sunshine announcement.

1:34

Thank you.

1:35

All right.

1:35

So we do have correspondence, and that would start on page six of your agenda under old business item 10.

1:47

Case number P 2024-0182.

1:52

This is a preliminary and final major site plan and interim use application.

1:56

They have requested a carry with preservation of notice to May 26th.

2:02

And accompanying that item is item 11, case P 2024-029, a review and discussion of master plan amendments within the Captain Point Redevelopment Plan.

2:14

They are also requesting a carry with preservation of notice to May 26th.

2:19

So, Chair, why don't we bring up Mr.

2:21

McMah uh McCann?

2:23

He is sitting here in the audience.

2:30

Good evening, everybody.

2:31

Jim McCann from Law Firm of Connell Foley in Jersey City on behalf of the applicant in both cases that um Cameron just referenced.

2:40

So, Chair, as the board is aware, and I'm sure people in the public are also aware.

2:49

At that time, uh the matter was carried to tonight.

2:52

We were attempting to see if we could get a special meeting.

3:12

So with that, what we had told Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning███████████████████████████████31%
Procedural████████████12%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Transportation Safety████4%
Miscellaneous████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Jersey City Planning Board Meeting – May 12, 2026

The Jersey City Planning Board convened on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The meeting featured the resignation of Chairman Chris Langston and Vice Chair Dr. Gonzalez after years of service, followed by a reorganization electing Commissioner Vidya Gongadin as Chair and Elizabeth Wick as Vice Chair. The board reviewed numerous applications, including a controversial minor site plan at 69 Lake Street involving a mature tree, and approved several subdivisions and site plans.

Opening & Correspondence

  • The sunshine announcement was read, confirming proper notice.
  • Correspondence included a carry of two cases (P2024-0182 and P2024-029) to May 26, 2026, per applicant request, with preservation of notice.
  • Items 26-30 (various subdivision and site plan applications) were adjourned and will re-notice for July 14, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Jim McCann (attorney for the applicant in the carried cases) consented to the carry and requested priority on May 26.
  • Jackson Hill Redevelopment Plan Amendment (P2026-0001): June Jones (Morris Canal CDC), Erica Walker (Ward F resident, chief of staff for Councilman Gilmore) spoke in support, emphasizing affordable housing and community benefits.
  • 69 Lake Street (P2025-0091): Multiple speakers expressed concern about a 90-year-old silver maple tree on adjacent property. Ronald Krohn, Anna Krohn, Cynthia Scott (Pershing Field Neighborhood Association), Natalie Limone (Hudson County Tree Allies), Philippia Vartstrap, and Charlene Burke urged the board to protect the tree, questioned fire access, ADU legality, and green roof maintenance. The applicant's attorney responded with conditions to mitigate impacts.

Discussion Items

  • Retirement of Chair and Vice Chair: Chairman Langston announced his resignation, citing increasing work commitments and the need for fresh leadership. Vice Chair Dr. Gonzalez also resigned after 14 years, emphasizing the importance of following the law and allowing new voices. Both received tributes from commissioners and staff.
  • Reorganization: Commissioner Vidya Gongadin was nominated and elected as new Chair (7-1-0 vote). She then nominated Elizabeth Wick as Vice Chair, who was elected (7-1 abstention).
  • One-year extension for 167 Academy Street (P2026-0041): Approved unanimously. The applicant is monitoring proposed Journal Square amendments.
  • One-year extension for 35 Fairview Avenue (P2026-0051): Approved unanimously; financing issues delayed construction.
  • Certified Artist Mark Andrew: Approved unanimously.
  • Jackson Hill Redevelopment Plan Amendment (P2026-0001): The applicant sought to expand the transit proximity bonus radius from 1,000 to 1,750 feet for properties under 3,999 sq ft. Planner Alex Doherty testified it aligns with the master plan. Staff recommended approval; motion passed 7-0.
  • Minor subdivision at 115 Oak Street (P2025-0180): Approved with condition to relocate electric meter for accessibility.
  • Minor subdivision at 141-143 Oxford Avenue (P2025-0087): Approved to create two conforming lots with a de minimis variance.
  • Minor site plan at 7 Orchard Street (P2025-0196): Variance for tandem parking aisle; approved with staff conditions.
  • Minor site plan at 311 3rd Street (P2025-0190): Variances for rear yard and lot coverage due to lot-line windows; approved.
  • Minor site plan at 44 Cole Street (P2025-0191): No variances; approved.
  • Minor subdivision at 210-212 Bergen Avenue (P2026-0003): No variances; approved.
  • Preliminary and final major site plan at 723 Grand Street (P2025-0176): As-of-right, 70-unit mixed-use building with 10% affordable units at the Junction. Conditions added for loading zone and green strip; approved.
  • Minor subdivision at 411-413 Liberty Avenue (P2025-0269): Lot line adjustment to create conforming lots; approved.
  • Minor site plan at 69 Lake Street (P2025-0091): Controversial application for a six-unit building plus ADU on a 200-foot-deep lot. The applicant's attorney agreed to multiple conditions: relocate utilities away from tree roots, engage an arborist, upgrade siding to HardiePlank, install a fire hose connection at the rear, explore roof irrigation, and add a second tree. Staff recommended approval; motion passed 6-0 (one abstention not noted, but final vote all ayes).

Key Outcomes

  • Chair and Vice Chair elections: Vidya Gongadin elected Chair (7-1-0); Elizabeth Wick elected Vice Chair (7-1 abstention).
  • All listed application decisions were unanimous unless noted.
  • Approvals granted for:
    • One-year extensions for 167 Academy Street and 35 Fairview Avenue.
    • Certified artist Mark Andrew.
    • Jackson Hill Redevelopment Plan amendment (P2026-0001).
    • Minor subdivisions at 115 Oak Street, 141-143 Oxford Avenue, 210-212 Bergen Avenue, 411-413 Liberty Avenue.
    • Minor site plans at 7 Orchard Street, 311 3rd Street, 44 Cole Street.
    • Major site plan at 723 Grand Street.
    • Minor site plan at 69 Lake Street (with extensive conditions).
  • Carried to May 26: Cases P2024-0182 and P2024-029.
  • Adjourned to July 14: Items 26-30 (various applications).
  • Resolutions memorialized: Several previous decisions were adopted.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I believe United States America to the Republican liberty source. Good evening, Cam. Could we have a sunshine announcement, please? Yes, Chairman. Good evening, everyone. Today is Tuesday, May 12th in the year 2026. This is a Jersey City Planning Board meeting with a scheduled 530 p.m. start time. And in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting has been posted with the City Clerk on the City Bulletin and City Website on May 8th 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. All right. Thank you, Cam. Could we have a roll call, please? Yes. Vice Chair Dr. Gonzalez. Here. Commissioner Gongadin. Here. Commissioner Wick. Here. Commissioner Councilwoman Little. Here. Commissioner Kaplan. I here. Commissioner Barnaby. Here. Commissioner Patel. And Chairman Langston. Here. All right. We have eight commissioners present. We have a quorum. All right. Thank you. Could we swear in the staff, please, Mike? Joe, Sophia, Matt, Ben, Ken, do you guys want to get to me to shoot the whole truth? Yes. Thank you. Okay, Cam, do we have any correspondence? Yes, Chairman. And for the record, uh, we've marked into evidence B1, the sunshine announcement. Thank you. All right. So we do have correspondence, and that would start on page six of your agenda under old business item 10. Case number P 2024-0182. This is a preliminary and final major site plan and interim use application. They have requested a carry with preservation of notice to May 26th. And accompanying that item is item 11, case P 2024-029, a review and discussion of master plan amendments within the Captain Point Redevelopment Plan.

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