Dear Editor:
I want to thank everyone for their help and support while I sat as a member of the city’s zoning board. Although Mayor Roberts chose not to reappoint me, it does not mean I will disappear. I will do my best to keep you all informed on zoning matters via my website: CityofHoboken.com.
It’s my hope that during my three-year tenure, including one year as chairman, that I was able to voice the community’s views on what responsible development is.
Unfortunately I will not have the opportunity to vote on very important projects that are on the board’s agenda in the upcoming months. 900 Monroe, a high-rise building that will set a precedent for how the west side of Hoboken will be developed. The land is also earmarked as a future park. 100 Marshall Drive, where the developer is allowed to build 45 apartments but seeks to build 94 and several different projects north of 14th Street in the new under bridge economic zone.
I am as frustrated as many of my neighbors about many of the projects the board has approved and the lack of concern from the Roberts’ administration. This city has a new, award winning $300,000 master plan that sits collecting dust because the city council and the mayor have failed to pass the necessary zoning legislation that would enforce it. The lack of guidance has left the zoning board often confused.
More often than not, while on the board, I was in the minority, opposing variances that other members favored. It was frustrating and disheartening and led, after those rancorous meetings, to many of sleepless nights. I know that there are other members on the board that feel the same. But when a person is that frustrated it’s easier just to given into the majority than constantly having to fight ad debate your case. Having the public attend and support the minority view is very important. Community input emboldens and supports those members that sit in the minority and helps break the cycle of “group think” that would prevail otherwise.
It has been a pleasure to serve my community, and I look forward to staying involved. Thanks again for all your support and please get involved!
Sincerely,
John Branciforte