Passaic City Council Meeting – February 19, 2026
Passaic City Council Meeting – February 19, 2026
The Passaic City Council held a regular meeting on February 19, 2026. The central topic was a proposed redevelopment designation for properties on Orchard Street and West Developed Place, which drew extensive public comment and council deliberation. The council also passed five ordinances and multiple resolutions, including regulations for short-term rentals, a redevelopment plan for 185 Lexington Avenue, fee adjustments, and a property exchange with the Board of Education.
Public Comments
- Joshua Goldman (185 High Street) opposed the redevelopment designation, arguing it was premature, would waste city funds (up to $60,000 in study costs), and would undermine resident bargaining power. He urged the council to rescind the authorization to the planning board.
- Joseph Manuel (177 High Street) stated the properties are not blighted like the former St. Mary's Hospital site, and that the redevelopment route would bypass public notice and input. He requested the council withdraw the recommendation.
- Raisel Azar (36 Orchard Street) echoed concerns about costs and premature action, noting that the possibility of eminent domain had not been debated. She asked the council to withdraw the resolution.
- Desre Brian (37 Orchard Street) argued that the existing 30-unit building (built ~1962) already burdens the infrastructure, and incentivizing more density would worsen the problem. She called the designation misplaced.
- Parker Brown (247 Summer Street) expressed concern about the speed of development and lack of transparency, noting that residents feel meetings are tense. He also raised issues about non-functioning traffic signs near schools and dog waste on sidewalks.
Discussion Items
- Redevelopment Designation (Orchard Street/West Developed Place) – Business Administrator Fernandez explained that the designation is a necessary first step to enter into negotiations with the developer and draft a redevelopment plan. He clarified that the city does not incur costs; the developer funds the study. The designation allows the council to control zoning for the parcels, unlike a standard planning board application. Council members noted that the process provides more community input and that the original proposal (200+ units) exceeded what would likely be negotiated. Mayor and council emphasized that the designation is not a plan but a gateway to discussions. The planning board will review on March 4, 2026, and the council will vote on formal designation on March 5, 2026.
- Short-Term Rental Ordinance (2510-26) – Fernandez described this as the third ordinance in the Airbnb regulatory package, permitting short-term rentals only in owner-occupied single-family homes, townhomes, or condos, with 11 conditions. The ordinance passed unanimously.
- Redevelopment Plan for 185 Lexington Avenue (2511-26) – Adopted unanimously.
- Certificate of Occupancy Fee Increase (2515-26) – Fernandez stated the modest increase (from $50 to $65 for first unit) was the first adjustment in over 20 years, to cover rising costs and weekend inspection services. Passed unanimously.
- Property Exchange with Passaic Board of Education (2516-26) – Authorized an exchange of real property. Passed with one abstention (Councilwoman Colom Montañez).
- Commemorative Pavers at Latona Griffin Park (Resolution 20) – Authorized sale of pavers to honor two fallen firefighters. Funded by CDBG. Passed unanimously.
- Consent Calendar – Items 6–9 and 10–16 (including appointment of retired officer) approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 2510-26 (Short-term rentals) – Passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 2511-26 (Redevelopment plan for 185 Lexington Avenue) – Passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 2514-26 (Disabled parking) – Passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 2515-26 (Certificate of occupancy fee increase) – Passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 2516-26 (Property exchange with Board of Education) – Passed 6–0–1 (Colom Montañez abstained).
- Resolutions 18–21 (including commemorative pavers) – Approved unanimously.
- Payment of bills – Approved.
- Next Steps – The planning board will review the redevelopment designation on March 4, 2026; the council will vote on formal designation on March 5, 2026. The council also acknowledged the beginning of Ramadan, Lent, and Chinese New Year.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. On behalf of the governing body of the city of Passake, we welcome you to the February 17th, 2026 City Council meeting. In accordance with Chapter 231 public laws of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by resolution of the municipal council adopted on June 17th, 2025. Setting forth the schedule of meetings for the year 2025-2026. Send notice was published and posted on the City Hall Bulletin Board by the Office of the City Clerk. Please be further advised. This meeting will be conducted in person. The Zoom stream provided is for viewing only and is offered to the public as a convenience. On February 4th, 2026, public notice and zoom instructions for this meeting were published in the Herald News and posted on the City of Passate website, www.city of Pastake.com. Council agendas. Instructions are also available on the last page of this agenda. Please be guided accordingly. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Mello. Present. Councilman Mayer. Present. Councilman Garcia. Present. Councilwoman Colom Montañez. President. And Council President Sher. President Sharey All, please rise. Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing me to meet this evening, Father God. We ask you to please guide us in the decisions that will take place this evening in your beloved name. We pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Which is under Godissible with liberty and justice as well. Thank you, sir. Good evening, and thank you all for who are with us tonight for joining with us. Copies of the agenda are located immediately outside council chambers. You can also access uh everything that's been distributed to the members of the council for tonight's meeting through the city's website. Um at this point, we have a very special presentation. I don't believe the students here calendar is up. On behalf of uh our administration and the city council, perhaps for extending circumstances or some conflict of schedule, the student and the family aren't here, but later on, if they arrive, I just want to let the record show that we have a certificate on behalf of the city for our student Denise Leckie in the city of Passake in recognition of her achievement or of their achievement, rather uh the 2026 July month winner in the 30th annual Passake County poster calendar contest selected among students from 17 different municipalities. Laura as mayor, along with our city council, commend um their America 250th artwork and congratulate them on proudly representing the city of Passake, as you can see right up there, 250th anniversary. They chose to honor our city's uh efforts in recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States of America in their design, and they were the winner and included in the county contest. Again, they're not present, but we'll make sure to get this to their families or the school on behalf of uh our administration and uh the city council. Very good. Mayor, in case they uh the family does come a little bit late. I don't know if your schedule uh permits you to stay this meeting. Yeah, um if you have to send them to your office, yes, very good. I'm sure we'll stay in uh if if they don't make it, we'll definitely get it to them. Very good. Thank you, sir. Um, with the council's permission, if we can be on the agenda, please remember number 05 during the citizens. In accordance with the open public meetings act, NJSA 10 colon 4-1 at stack. The council opens every public meeting for comments of the public. However, in accordance with NJSA 10 colon 4-12, nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the discretion of a public body to permit or prohibit or regulate the active participation in any meeting.
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