The redevelopment boom continues in Bayonne, with the planning board approving redevelopment plans for Russell’s Autobody and St. Vincent’s School at Tuesday’s meeting.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
The board postponed the presentation of the redevelopment plan for 1191-1205 John F. Kennedy Blvd. for the former Lukoil gas station area, the redevelopment study for 104-108 West 7th St. for Baran Roofing, and the redevelopment plan for 973-987 Broadway, 11-13 West 47th Street, and 12 West 48th Street for the former Avanti’s Restaurant.
The reason for the delay was, in part, due to the recusal of a commissioner over an unstated conflict of interest.
City Planner Ron Reinertsen presented the redevelopment plan for Russell’s Autobody, which was previously designated an area in need of redevelopment by the Bayonne City Council.
According to Reinertsen, this redevelopment plan is consistent with the Bayonne Master Plan, and the vision for this area is to “redevelop this property with highly attractive, visually enhanced multifamily building” up to 10 stories with a maximum of 135 units and ground floor parking.
“The Bayonne Master Plan talked about transit nodes and stuff, and this plan is consistent,” he said.
Chair Karen Fiermonte, asked if the board could further define what type of retail is allowed in the plan, because it was vague compared to other such plans.
“I know in other plans we’re very cautious to make sure that we’re not just letting in any type of business. I don’t know how the other commissioners feel about that, but I would just think is that something that, you know, you would be willing to update to include to be more in line with some of the other plans we’ve had?” she questioned.
” … I’m just thinking things, like we don’t want another smoke shop on the corner, or, you know, someone trying to open up something that just doesn’t fit in the neighborhood.”
Fiermonte made a recommendation to iron that language out with the planning department to make it similar with other plans, something she said zoning officers present and future would appreciate.
“I would like to just see consistency. We should be including more detailed what is permitted versus what is prohibited, in line with our other plans,” she added.
Resident Mike Ruscigno pointed out there is a smoke shop on that corner already, so preventing another right there would be wise. When asked if there is a developer already in mind, Reinertsen said he isn’t privy to that.
After another resident mentioned the need for a shadow study in any plans coming forward from the redevelopment plan, taking into consideration the new 10-story buildings popping up in Bayonne, Fiermonte was agreeable to the request.
The redevelopment plan was unanimously approved by the members of the Planning Board present (5-0).
A redevelopment study was also on the agenda, for parcels including the St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, a national landmark, and the abandoned accompanying school at 973-993 Avenue C and 80 West 47th St.
“I was actually asked to tour inside and gently told that’s not a good idea. There’s police reports about people going in. Everybody acknowledges this is a problematic site,” Ruscigno said.
The city council previously authorized the planning board to undertake the study primarily for the school and the parking lot, with Reinertsen stating that the study found the facility is almost falling apart.
Due to the blight and dilapidation, he recommended the planning board designate the parcels as a redevelopment area, but defended questions from residents by vowing that the church won’t be touched.
“That church is not going anywhere. It’s a national landmark. It’s beautiful.”
James Pustorino, a neighboring resident who spoke out against the plan with his wife, said they had not seen any police activity.
He called for “reasonable development,” meaning in his words one- to two-story homes not 10-story buildings, but the redevelopment study was unanimously approved by the board members present (5-0).
