IS THIS THE FUTURE? Development with ‘electric car charging station’ approved in Hoboken

HOBOKEN — The question has been asked several times by the media in recent years: “If we’re in the future, then where are all the flying cars?”
Well, scientists are still working on that, but in the meantime, the mile-square city of Hoboken took a little drive into the future Wednesday night when the City Council approved a redevelopment plan involving a luxury nine-unit building. The building will include an “electric car changing station” and several other environmentally friendly features.
Developer Frank Pasquale plans to build Lórien Lofts at 1024 Adams St., in a quiet residential neighborhood a few blocks from another development at the center of a controversy between Gov. Chris Christie and Mayor Dawn Zimmer. Named for the elvish Eden in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the development will cater to the growing demand for luxury accommodations on New Jersey’s affluent Gold Coast.
In addition to offering much sought after three-bedroom apartments, the new building will comply with the design standards promulgated after Superstorm Sandy to emphasize water retention. In fact, Pasquale’s project will go far beyond that, including solar panels, a white roof that reflects more heat than it absorbs, gray water recycling, and natural gas cogeneration for heating and power.
No plans so far for a flying carport on the roof. Sorry, George Jetson!