The Jersey City Council discussed significant residential zoning changes to the Master Plan in order to allow accessory dwelling units during this morning’s caucus session.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The proposal cleared the planning board last month, as HCV first reported, and is now awaiting a first reading vote from the council on Wednesday.
Jersey City Planning Director Tanya Marione explained that Jersey City grew and zoning developed around the turn of the century, and many incremental changes over time greatly changed the face of the city.
“We’ve never had one- and two-family zoning. We’ve had small pockets of mixed communities,” she began.
Marione noted that there are many variances in the R-1 residential district and they want to address problems that have risen over the last 20 years, such as mass demolition.
“It took us 20 years to realize mass demolition was happening … We’re putting in a density standard,” she added.
Marione also explained that they found in their conversations with the public that people generally don’t like large buildings nearby their one- and two-family homes, so they wanted to address that issue as well.
“You’re going to have buildings more compatible with nearby buildings,” continuing that these changes would also allow for more surface parking in the R-1 zone.
Additionally, height standards are being adjusted. The current maximum height of 44 feet is being lowered to 35 feet, with new design standards being adopted as well.
“You have to be more in context with what the rest of the block looks like,” Marione added.
She further explained that corner commercial uses are being permitted in certain places where it was previously allowed in the 1930s.
For example, Marione pointed out that Communipaw Avenue often has a lot of traffic backup and pedestrian issues. For that reason, they are moving where mechanics can be based.
In addition, they are addressing Alternative Dwelling Units (ADUs), which can only be two stories and a limited size. The building code will limit the Jersey City homes which are allowed to ADUs based on the size of the main building on the property.
“I understand there’s been a lot of conversation about it. This is a primary structure of the R-1, which has taken 20 years. We are taking a lot of standards and bringing them back… to what was happening in the 30s, 40s, and 50s,” Marione noted, continuing that R-1 zoning makes up 70 percent of the city.
Marione acknowledged the 119-page ordinance contains a lot of information and was happy to field any questions.
“Currently, the Bayonne box is built. Would that be permitted under these changes?” Ward E Councilman James Solomon asked.
“There will be less demolition. If a new building does come, it will look a lot like the rest of the block,” Marione replied.
She added that high staircases will be less prevalent.
“We are trying to complement existing neighborhoods,” Marione declared.
“Can you outline how exactly the height requirements change?” Solomon questioned.
Marione said that higher buildings were added over time as people wanted to add floors, so this is a way to rein it and impose a limit of 35 feet and three stories. She concluded by stating that the updates overall simplify and streamline zoning.
The Jersey City Council is on their summer schedule, therefore they will convene at City Hall, 280 Grove St., on Wednesday at 10 a.m. and the session will also stream live on Microsoft Teams.
