The Hoboken City Council reaffirmed their support for the Western Edge Redevelopment Plan and delayed the introduction of the budget at a short virtual special meeting last night.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
” … I just want to inform members of the public that the only item that we are acting upon this evening is Ordinance B-754. The other three items that were noticed for tonight have been carried to the regular May 7th council meeting, which will be held in City Hall chamber on May 7th at 7 p.m.,” said Council President Jim Doyle.
” … I think just for the record, I should indicate that the planning board did meet and conduct a consistency review of this ordinance and the planning board unanimously … found that this ordinance is consistent with the Master Plan and the land use element.”
The administration had planned to introduce the budget twice this month, but it will not be delayed until May without any public explanation.
During public comment, attorney Matthew Ross, who represents the Palisades Cliffs Protection Alliance, Inc. and the Northwest Redevelopment Supermarkets, said the former requested adjournment earlier in the day but it was not granted.
To that end, the supermarkets client submitted a parking and traffic review and wanted a thorough review from the governing body to protect the existing businesses in the redevelopment zone.
“It’s unclear whether the new ordinance considers the findings of any additional or updated traffic and parking studies or whether any analyses have been performed in 2025 for review for the planning board or the council that would identify any conditions changing over the last decade be addressed if necessary,” Ross stated.
As far as the protection alliance goes, Ross indicated that they were seeking an adjournment so that their planner would have adequate time to fully review the amended plan.
“Further, we submit that given the gravity of this plan, it should not be considered by the council by the council by a Zoom. Additionally, the timing of the hearing [7 p.m.] is not conducive to public participation given the spring vacations that are currently going on.”
He also requested that the council publicly disclose any potential conflicts that will prevent electeds from voting on the matter, as well as if any council member had interactions with the developer and/or any council members conflicted from voting.
Later, Lisa Lomelo, the attorney for the Doric Community Association in Union City, asked what the point of re-endorsing or reaffirming the plan was, what the updates have been in the past 10 to 15 years, and if the ground and soil in the area had been reviewed to ensure they can support the proposed buildings.
Doyle replied that while public portion is typically not a question and answer session, he would attempt to respond to her inquiries anyway in this instance.
“To be very clear, we, on October 24th I believe, if I’m off by a day or two – don’t hold me to it – but we passed this ordinance amendment and since then, for legal reasons, counsel has requested that we affirm, re-endorse, the very same ordinance,” he said.
“And so this is not a new ordinance, that’s why it’s a reaffirming, re-endorsing ordinance that was passed in October of last year. And it pertains to certain allegations with regard to prior votes and allegations of that,” Doyle added before Corporation Counsel Brian Aloia interjected.
He simply said that this is “a reaffirmation to clear up some things that weren’t clear,” noting that the lawsuit related to the Western Edge project is ongoing.
Doyle continued that the initial plan was adopted in 2015, so anything before that would not be relevant, and has since undergone eight separate amendments, adding that he didn’t have specifics about the environmental conditions of the site, though he couldn’t imagine they had changed.
The only other speaker was attorney Ashley Morgan, of Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC, who represents the City of Union City, seconding what Ross said, stating they agreed the process was rushed.
She also would’ve preferred to adjourn the matter, rather than hold a Zoom meeting at the last minute.
The council voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the second reading of the ordinance that was approved on first reading on April 14th.
2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos were absent.
