Following a judge’s ruling last month, the Hoboken Planning Board approved both applications for the long stalled Western Edge project.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The governing body spent far more time in executive session, about 20 minutes, than they did in open session, about three minutes, to approve Block 106 and Block 112.
“While I may not agree with the judge’s decision, I’m not going to go against it,” said Planning Board Chair Frank Magaletta.
No one else made remarks during the two votes, which were both unanimous (8-0).
On April 4th, Hudson County Superior Court Judge Joseph Turula has remanded the Western Edge project back to the Hoboken Planning Board, assuring approval for Block 112 and enforcing strict parameters for the hearing of Block 106, as HCV first reported.
Ordered that the 112 Block Application is hereby remanded to the Planning Board of the City of Hoboken to adopt a Resolution approving the application, consistent with this Court’s decision,” Turula wrote in an order to remand.
“And it is further ordered that the 106 Block Application is hereby remanded to the Planning Board of the City of Hoboken to adopt a Resolution that (1) does not include the issue of building coverage at street level as a reason for denial, consistent with this Court’s decision, and (2) includes specific factual findings and conclusions of law in support of its decision on the issue of the linear park and green circuit.”
Turula’s decision came the Hoboken City Council approved a settlement for Block 106 in March that included a 30-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with no union labor deal.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2021, alleges that Hoboken allowed Union City to interfere with the project “at the expense of benefits to Hoboken and its citizens.”
During the aforementioned council vote, several council members expressed dismay that the administration allowed Union City to back them into a corner and approve a settlement that they considered lackluster at best.
Get rid of this chairman already
Hard to believe he’s a lawyer
One would hope planning board members who are attorneys would have understood redevelopment and the consequences of ramming through a NO vote on behalf of Union city and crafts an argument the courts saw bad
Mr Magaletta’s Bio shows he’s a good lawyer, too bad he’s such a bad planning board chair
HoHa HoHa HoHa!
“Along with sound legal advice, Frank will apply sensible business judgment and will analyze your situation and produce and execute on the best approach to maximize your rights and benefits. Frank works with clients and is always mindful of the business decisions you must make regarding a successful negotiation versus the costs of a potentially time-consuming legal battle. But, if legal action is necessary to achieve your rights, Frank is ready to fight on your behalf.
Frank also volunteers to his community as he currently serves as the Chair of the Hoboken “
As Bhalla flexes his stranglehold over Hoboken but Stack still keeps a tight leash on him.
Like most decisions the outcome is predetermined by Bhalla, his appointees funded City Council do what they are told and what the public sees is pure theater.
As far as planning board members go, Frank the Tank has to be the worse one ever. He was on the Board when they cost the city the monarch ruling and now this.
He could not agree with the judges ruling but then again he is not one to rule on the law he just choses to follow it when it benefits him and his people.
Glad that the judge made Hoboken follow the rule of law.