Appellate court ruling could mean 55 new affordable units in Hoboken
Four Hoboken developers could be forced to convert at least 55 market rate rental units into affordable units thanks to a July 28 state appellate court ruling, according to Fair Share Housing Center, a New Jersey tenant advocacy group.
At issue in the case is the validity of Hoboken’s 1988 affordable housing ordinance, which required that developers devote 10 percent of new apartment projects to affordable units or else pay a sum into a housing trust fund.
Each of the developers agreed to follow the ordinance when seeking building variances before the Hoboken Zoning Board, then reneged, challenging the ordinance as unenforceable because it had never been approved by the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). Fair Share Housing Center countersued in an attempt to force the developers to honor their commitment.
In 2012, a Hudson County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the developers, finding the ordinance to be in conflict with COAH regulations.
This past Tuesday, state appellate judge Jose Fuentes reversed the lower court’s ruling, finding that Hoboken was not required to submit its ordinance to COAH.
Earlier this year, the New Jersey Supreme Court effectively eliminated COAH for failing to do its job, rendering the Superior Court’s concerns moot, according to Fuentes.
The Appellate Division remanded the case to Hudson County Superior Court and ordered its judges to determine how many affordable units the Hoboken developers must actually create. However, at least one of the lawyers for the developers told New Jersey Law Journal that he planned to advise his client to appeal the ruling.
“This unanimous decision is a victory for working families – not only in Hoboken but also in fast-growing urban communities across New Jersey,” said Fair Share Housing Center Executive Director Kevin Walsh. “As expensive new luxury high-rises go up across New Jersey, the court today gave our cities crucial tools to ensure that no one is left behind by this continuing growth and everyone can enjoy the benefits of living in these thriving communities.”
The 1988 affordable housing ordinance only applies to residential projects that sought local board approval before October 2012. A new ordinance with similar rules passed in 2012 governs projects before the Zoning and Planning Boards now.
The developments in question are 1316-1330 Willow Ave. (Willow14), 1415 Park Ave. (Park & Garden), 900 Monroe St. and 1400-1404 Clinton St. (The Artisan).
Stevens must wait at least two more months for ruling on academic complex
A Stevens Institute of Technology plan to build a new 90,000-square-foot academic complex on Hudson Street remains alive but in limbo before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Through four previous multi-hour hearings, the last of which took place this past Tuesday, the college has the completed the direct testimony of its expert witnesses, but several statutorily required steps remain before their proposal can be voted on by the Zoning Board.
A fifth hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30, though several board watchers speculated that a sixth could be needed as well. Still forthcoming is the public portion, in which any member of the public can comment on the project for as long as they like.
The current Stevens Academic Gateway concept consists of two four-story buildings on the north and south sides of Sixth Street where it meets Hudson Street, connected with a two-story skybridge.
Stevens altered its original design for the Gateway complex in response to concerns from a group of Hudson Street residents, reducing the buildings’ height and abandoning a pedestrian plaza concept, but a number of neighbors still oppose the project.
The main concerns of these residents are the building’s height, the skybridge, and the potential effect of the building on parking as a Stevens lot will be lost to make room for the north wing of the complex.
DeFusco declares for 1st Ward Council race; opponent ‘surprised’
Zoning Board member Michael DeFusco has thrown his hat into the race for the City Council 1st Ward seat, challenging longtime incumbent Councilwoman Theresa Castellano.
All six ward seats on the nine-member council are up for election this November. In Hoboken, some of the races have kicked off early.
DeFusco was first appointed to the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2011 and was reappointed to the board for four-year term this past January.
He is taking on a formidable challenge—Castellano has represented the 1st Ward on the Council since 1995, longer than any other current member.
“I like Terry, but if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got,” said DeFusco in a letter declaring his candidacy. “Our neighborhoods need an attentive and proactive councilperson that will work with the city to improve them. Potholes, crumbling curbs and trash have proliferated and there’s been no movement by our councilwoman to address the situation.”
In an interview on Thursday, Castellano defended her record. “I don’t send a letter out every time I do something,” she said. “He’s throwing things out there that he knows nothing about…things are getting done, and I voted for everything that needs to get done.”
DeFusco also criticized Castellano for voting against a deal to sell Hoboken University Medical Center in 2011. “Her obstructionism nearly sent our city into default, a financial disaster that would have crippled Hoboken,” he wrote.
Castellano stood by her opposition to earlier versions of the sale agreement, calling it a sweetheart deal for a Christie-linked group, and said her decision to hold out along with three other Council members resulted in a better final deal.
If elected, DeFusco said he would fight against PATH service cuts enacted by the Port Authority and push for new projects “that encourage commerce, arts and entertainment.”
Castellano said she was somewhat surprised that DeFusco decided to run against her.
“He has always supported me, he has gone door to door, he has written letters,” said Castellano, who was DeFusco’s sponsor when he was first appointed to the Zoning Board.
Hoboken Police to host National Night Out Aug. 4
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, the Hoboken Police Department will host its annual National Night Out, a nationwide event that allows citizens to express appreciation to public safety officials and encourages participation in neighborhood safety. The event will take place at Church Square Park from 5 to 9 p.m.
This year, HPD will dedicate the night in memory of Jayden Thomas O’Connor, the grandson of retired Hoboken Police Officer Thomas O’Connor. Jayden unfortunately succumbed to an uncommon disease, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (S.C.I.D.) on June 14, 2015 at 18 months of age. In remembrance, HPD will present a plaque to his family at the event.
Below are some highlights of the evening:
• 5:30 p.m. Jaws of Life demonstration by the Hoboken Fire Department
• 6:00 p.m. Plaque dedication to Jayden Thomas O’Connor’s family
• 7:00 p.m. Performance by Maddy Bowes
• 8:15 p.m. Performance from Fire Dance Squad
• 103.5 KTU – Beat of NY
• Red Bulls Street team
• Face painting, balloon animals and raffling off prizes from local business
In addition to the participation of various police agencies, several local businesses will be out in full support of this night out against crime. Additionally, there will also be bounce houses and water slides and other entertainment for children. People of all ages are encouraged to attend.
The National Night Out event is celebrated by over 37 million participants in 16,000 communities across the United States.
For further information please contact Officer Daniel Simone at events@hobokenpd.org or visit www.hobokenpd.com.
‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ to grace Sinatra Park Aug. 10
Each summer season the Hudson Shakespeare Company presents lesser-done plays by William Shakespeare with unique spins, or even present dubious works attributed to Shakespeare such as last month’s “Arden of Faversham,” set in the 1950s.
In August, the Hudson Shakespeare Company of Jersey City returns for the final installment of its 24th annual Shakespeare in North Jersey parks with perhaps the Bard’s very first play “Two Gentlemen of Verona.”
“Very often we present a new angle on a Shakespeare title or expand on something that we’ve seen another group try but with ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ we’re going back to basics and presenting a romantic comedy about two best brothers, Valentine (played by Lawrence James) and Proteus (played by Tim Marriot) who fall in love with the same woman Sylvia (played by Susie Duecker) in a Renaissance time frame with Italian sword play and music,” says the show’s director, Jon Ciccarelli.
The show will run at the following locations:
Thursday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m., Hamilton Park, Jersey City, 9th Street and Jersey Avenue, Jersey City.
Friday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, Montgomery Street and Jersey Avenue, Jersey City.
Monday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Sinatra Park, 502 Frank Sinatra Drive, Hoboken.
Saturday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m., Historic Harsimus Cemetery, 435 Newark Avenue, Jersey City.
Admission is free for all shows except for the show at Jersey City Cemetery where a $10 suggested donation is required.
Please bring a lawn chair or blanket for the outdoor locations. For more information call (973) 449-7443 or visit http://ellem-fair.wix.com/hudsonshakespeare.
Eight file for Hoboken school board race
Eight residents filed to run for the Hoboken Board of Education this fall by Monday’s petition deadline, according to the Hudson County Board of Elections. Three seats on the board, which sets budgets and selects the superintendent for Hoboken’s traditional public schools, will be up for grabs in the Nov. 3 general election.
No matter who wins, the school board will have two new members come January 2016. The terms of Trustees Ruth Tyroler and Jean Marie Mitchell are set to expire this year, and neither filed to defend their seat.
That makes Trustee Tom Kluepfel, who was elected with Tyroler and Mitchell on the Kids First slate in 2012, the only incumbent in the race.
The other candidates who filed to run are Patricia Waiters, Sheillah Dallara, Diane Rubino, Addys Velez, Britney Montgomery, Alanna Kauffmann, and John Madigan.
Hoboken Historical Museum hosts bead art show through Sept. 13
On Sunday, Aug. 2 from 2 to 5 p.m., the Hoboken Historical Museum will celebrate the opening of a new art exhibit in the Upper Gallery, “The Beadist: Artworks by Jan Huling,” which will remain on view through Sept. 13.
The recipient of a 2015 fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Huling produces unique works of art by applying intensely colorful beads in intricate patterns on various found objects that strike her fancy, from musical instruments to vintage toys to old globes.
From kazoos, Huling moved on to beading other objects that struck her fancy—kewpie dolls, animal figurines, globes—things ranging in size from 3 inches to over 6 feet that she finds mostly at thrift shops and flea markets. Sometimes she combines items, such as an exotic taxidermy beetle and matchbox, in a beaded frame, titled “Forgiven.”
Her work is widely exhibited and she has cultivated a nationwide following of collectors, and happily embraces a description of her work in The New York Times as “oddball assemblages.”
Huling will visit the Museum for the opening reception on Aug. 2, from 2 – 5 pm, and again on August 30 at 4 p.m. for an artist’s talk. For a preview, visit janhuling.com.