The Jersey City Council reviewed plans to restrict potential development around Heights University Hospital at yesterday’s caucus meeting as the hospital future remains in jeopardy.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano started the meeting by thanking Ward E Councilman James Solomon for joining him in sponsoring an ordinance up for first reading that removes senior housing from being built near the hospital.
“We want to make sure this stays a hospital, and we will use any mechanism available to make that happen: No way in heck that Christ Hospital could be closed,” he declared.
The measure would amend the area in the Heights in the immediate vicinity of the hospital as a medical district, putting to bed any potential 10-story redevelopment Hudson Regional Health has proposed, which Solomon blew the whistle on last month, as HCV first reported.
Jersey City Planning Director Tanya Marione explained she could answer questions about the planning board being part of the process described in the ordinance studying the area around the hospital, prompting Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh to ask her opinion.
“The planning board can only speak for themselves. But as the staff planner, we will not be recommending the approval … I understand all the politics behind it. The Master Plan itself talks about the medical zone and creating an overlay that would allow for residential uses,” she explained.
“It’s outside the Planning Board’s authority to recommend something that doesn’t comport with the Master Plan. This City Council is the governing body, and it’s well within their rights to do so … as long as you put reasons on the record why.”
She further stated that if the planning board votes to remove allowing senior housing in that medical district, it’s possible they could be sued, acknowledging it’s “kind of a very sticky situation.”
Saleh, who represents the Heights until the end of the year (he didn’t seek re-election), said he was against the ordinance.
“I don’t agree with this, removing the senior housing. This is Ward D, technically. There have been residents who have come concerned about the height of the planned housing for seniors,” he exclaimed.
“It’s the only way this hospital is going to be revenue neutral, if not revenue generating. Like, there’s not enough density … They’re hemorrhaging money, and there needs to be a sustainable plan in that area. And I think removing senior housing is a step backwards, respectfully.“
Boggiano responded that most of the land is actually in Ward C, where neighbors often see development begin with any explanation.
“Enough of the development that is ruining this city: The people are concerned,” he asserted.
Marione noted there are multiple issues in the same area, which is confusing residents who have met with the planning department to express their concerns.
“You have to sit down with the community … and all this has to be explained. People are getting tired of it … We have to have more meetings on the hospital area,” Boggiano declared.
“We do not want to see this area destroyed like the rest of the city has been destroyed … People can’t afford to live here anymore because these developments have raised the price of everything.”
Additionally, Marione explained that the medical zone was created in 2000 and still applies to Heights University Hospital.
“The uses are very specific … assisted living. None of that is residential. The only thing that is semi-residential is senior housing. The zone itself permits up to 10 stories,” she added, noting that HRH’s proposal calls for 10 stories, about the same heights as the hospital.
“The concern is that that application didn’t have a hospital: It was a bulldozing of the hospital, and it was a … 10-story wall of housing … We want to see Heights/Christ Hospital succeed and recognize the financial challenges,” Solomon chimed in.
He reiterated his previous asserting that the current plan would lead to the demolition of the hospital, despite HRH’s claims to the contrary.
Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore asked if the application was to build senior or “regular housing.”
“Regular housing: Residential housing is not permitted,” Marione replied, adding that that only exclusively senior housing is allowed there, which is managed through another department.
“Does the hospital have to be there too?” Gilmore asked.
“No,” Marione replied.
From there, Saleh asked if the council could tie the hospital and the senior housing together for their future plans, to which she said recommendations will be made following a planning board study.
Solomon noted that senior housing does not necessarily mean affordable housing before the governing body moved onto the next agenda item.
The Jersey City Council convenes on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St., and the public session will also stream live on Microsoft Teams.
Last month, the council voted unanimously (9-0) to approve an emergency resolution seeking to save Heights University Hospital, as HCV first reported.
