The Bayonne City Council approved studying a property in need of redevelopment, along with examining their rent control laws, at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Early on, the council authorized the planning board to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether 657-663 Broadway constitutes an area in need of redevelopment.
“I’ve had issues with things like this in the past,” 1st Ward Councilman Neil Carroll said, asking if 2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer had concerns regarding it (the area is in her ward).
She said she had mixed emotions about the proposal before looking to Bayonne Planning Director Joe Skillender to explain the matter further.
“The request currently in front of us is currently just to study,” he noted, adding that the property owner requested it.
“What is the criteria?” Weimmer questioned.
Skillender said the conditions to a redevelopment study based on state law include blight, an underutilized, vacant, or abandoned property, or if it’s located in an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).
“It is a fully functioning, fully operational business. It is well maintained. It doesn’t look out of sorts at all to me. It’s in a prime location. Is there an allowance there? Is there a mixed use?” Weimmer asked regarding the Hudson Radiology Center.
Skillender said it would still likely meet the conditions since it is in the UEZ on Broadway.
“The current resolution is directing the planning board to study it. They could also make a finding it doesn’t [require redevelopment],” Skillender added.
“We don’t have to agree with their study,” Bayonne Council President Gary La Pelusa noted.
“I have mixed emotions. It’s the landowner … that is asking for this. I don’t feel as that person should be hindered in any way on an investment they have made. They have been here for quite a long time. I intend to vote aye,” Weimmer decided.
“The current underlying zoning allows for residential units above with the first floor commercial or currently it has to be commercial through and through?” Carroll asked.
Skillender replied that it could be both.
“We don’t have to agree with it. My concern is it’s been there for a while. We know what that property was used for,” Councilman-at-Large Loyad Booker said.
During public comment on the measure, resident Mike Morris said he didn’t agree with doing a study.
“It does meet the criteria. It just seems like they want to level the building and put another apartment building up,” he said.
He also said it would need new parking entrances, which cut into parallel parking spots.
“We have the capability of saying no. Looking at past history, we have not approved something that didn’t have the right parking,” La Pelusa argued.
Morris said a new building on Broadway doesn’t have parking, which he was concerned about.
“I was glad the director could elaborate. I vote aye,” Carroll said.
“It’s just a study so I’m voting aye,” Councilman-at-Large Juan Perez said.
“We can agree with it or vote it down. I vote aye,” La Pelusa said.
The resolution was ultimately approved unanimously (5-0).
They also discussed a resolution directing Skillender to study rent control laws with the local rent control board.
“I would welcome the public’s opinion on that,” Skillender said.
“It’s not just specifically limited to rent control. It’s more about the market study on our housing stock,” he explained.
La Pelusa noted the council would then have to vote to make changes the report suggests.
“I have some reservations. I want to get more information in terms of rent control. There is a difference between rent control and affordable housing,” Booker noted.
“I vote overwhelmingly aye. I think that this is an important study. It’s just a study. It’s an important look into potentially stabilizing rents going forward. Increases are always allowed,” Carroll declared.
This is something that could create, provide the working man or woman in town a little dignity in knowing what they need to come up with. It prevents them from falling into, for lack of a better phrase, the safety net. This would help keep them in their apartments. I like calling it stabilization. It’s an important, important study.”
Carroll noted rent control is a significant issue throughout the county.
“I also have reservations. But it’s a study. I vote aye,” Perez stated.
“I have mixed emotions on this. I am not opposed to this study. I would hope that the study would encompass such things as what would better serve our community, such as perhaps more affordable housing for purchase, for our um, younger class of Americans. I would hope that that would be something taken into consideration,” Weimmer added.
She was also interested in providing workforce housing for teachers in town.
“Often times, perhaps they don’t have the ability. I would like for this study to encompass all things of that nature. If you can assure me that the study will take all of those things into consideration as well, then I am not opposed to it.”
Skillender said the study would include those issues, adding that it can then be used as the council sees fit.
“I vote aye,” Weimmer said.
“I’m always willing to see a study. Maybe we can always learn something new,” La Pelusa noted, indicating that Carroll is spearheading the initiative.
“I also have some reservations. I promised you I would second this. Mr. Skillender is going to dig deep. We have all expressed an interest in having more affordable housing,” La Pelusa added.
He explained that their Affordable Housing Trust has millions of dollars they can spend on building new units.
“It’s just a matter of where to put it and where it would fit best in the budget,” La Pelusa argued.
“I thank you all tremendously. I agree with every one of your reservations. It does show that there is an intention at least to show answers to working class people,” Carroll said.
“Often the people affected get mislabeled … wrongly. The people affected by something like this would be … middle-class working people. It’s important we know who we’re really talking about.”
The Bayonne City Council passed the resolution unanimously (5-0).
This is a “study” and as such need be respected as one in depth of the issues.
It’s the follies, if any, after the “study” that need be addressed.