[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6559630,"mediaKeyId","3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e","parentId",3199069,"title","Council reviews multiple long-term tax-abatement ordinances for proposed Newark housing projects","audioSeconds",403,"startMs",39805,"endMs",443195,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e&start=39&end=443","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e/thumbnail_39805.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559630/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Council-reviews-multiple-long-term-tax-abatement-ordinances-for-proposed-Newark-housing-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559630-9ff8880c6785682195acfc8ebf8a4fa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442986&Signature=KdPV0EKgYwlzA41bAACI1cYBA3d8USEV6L7hkC-mDplkueEsn6P-9mYtfxMJSMjE-W5ibJa4Ai7kEgXUXPcH7ngwDRA1xRqLC9QLzHwWJUvUDap4dXQNoQXUJku0tfWb7KRWhIDjcFi~x5MUmarICLyJohJHi7Cfg1dlX1bZYXyInX1UZx8VPHf0oM9ECxY9JMZaJTFAFZvyi-fnZWTsdEWc4aVKx5kl7WSw65ytYiP01SXmrxKO8535rA~g2YAQZim3h4Glt6hVw8lW8YGHz-j8zKh9Ly-AeQOxQRoAtJFhQScwwGMui8WIHZWsJuuza3GMSfDg~cYQ59s0YDAvwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newark","date","2025-05-06T14:58:50.067Z","article","At a May 6, 2025 pre-meeting, the Newark Municipal Council discussed several ordinances that would grant long-term tax abatements to developers for new housing projects across the city.

The clerk read multiple ordinance summaries on first reading and on second reading and final passage. Among them were: an ordinance proposing a 17‑year tax abatement to SPG 100 Frontage Road Urban Renewal LLC for a warehouse distribution building in the East Ward; a 30‑year tax abatement to Fulton Street North LLC for a project the ordinance text described as \"a new multi family housing project consisting of 369 residential units\" with figures read aloud for market-rate and affordable units; a 30‑year abatement to 69 Sherman Avenue Urban Renewal Company LLC for a five‑story building with 44 affordable rental units restricted to tenants at 60% of area median income in the South Ward; and a 30‑year abatement to 317 Mulberry Street Urban Renewal Company LLC for a 24‑unit market‑rate rental project (the clerk noted the ward designation on the 317 Mulberry item must be amended on the floor and said a public hearing will be held at a special meeting next week because of advertising concerns).

A request from the administration to defer one of the items (listed on the agenda as 6PSFA) was noted. A council member also requested a detailed financial breakdown and a copy of any lease connected with a long‑term lease described during the meeting as potentially extending for an initial 15 years with two extensions (one of 10 years and one of seven years); the council member said they wanted to know the total long‑term fiscal commitment before the council acted. The clerk confirmed the request would be followed up.

Council members offered sponsorships and seconds for several ordinance items as the clerk moved through the agenda. Several items were tied together in sponsorships because proponents said projects were related. For one item the clerk announced an administration request to defer; for others the clerk indicated public hearings or ward amendments would be completed at the special meeting.

Why it matters: the ordinances on the agenda would commit the city to multi‑decade tax abatements and include unit‑level restrictions tied to area median income (AMI). Council members asked for financial analyses and lease documents so they could evaluate the city’s long‑term obligations before final votes.

The council moved on after the clerk completed the readings; specific final votes on these ordinances were not recorded in the pre‑meeting transcript.

What comes next: the clerk indicated some items will return on the special meeting agenda with required advertising and ward amendments; council members asked staff to provide lease copies and financial analyses in advance of final votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pre-Meeting - Newark Municipal Council -05/06/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a May 6, 2025 pre-meeting, the Newark Municipal Council discussed several ordinances that would grant long-term tax abatements to developers for new housing projects across the city.","taxTitle","Newark, Essex County, New Jersey","taxId",2741,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559610,"Public commenters urge action on landlord noncompliance and warn of gentrification trends in Newark",205,2766445,2972040,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e&start=2766&end=2972","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e/thumbnail_2766445.jpg","/articles/6559610/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Public-commenters-urge-action-on-landlord-noncompliance-and-warn-of-gentrification-trends-in-Newark","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559610-f0b6bc434673370631ed02c18818880b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442986&Signature=Ni7N~4-7yC21VUNFNBPGgOL35kn0fkY8rcYagqMukXtbo0-p5QLGpPkLay1Jp4n0Qu5donzu1GGoWr9FSYsVrQVFnB6vBiKlTiE86oXTn2l1PBm9ifSkqKcpzZYAgWvyAMTajaGRhuvlsYkKkRDn7eevaqtPT8X3CQk90V6WAvjeESPU7-6pDr1l91KrvwdvtOFVeAzvBY3QVin8ZUwE0skEgOpGVB9NQAEVBD4lQlppVJzUyZG~O--nwU7LbVpE3sKZcsRH3YSaKlr16LfzOay7h5fmEIBHM-yVzbdyVJzZQLNZWf8UUAkOAQEdK1Viz0NaI8tN~gjqyw~NL5~G9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the 30‑minute public‑comment portion of the May 6 pre‑meeting, residents urged the council to take action on housing conditions and gentrification.

Natasha Akinyele, a resident who said she submitted an LOI to build two new two‑family homes on South Tenth Street, described the cost barriers facing small local developers and said she is not a large corporation but a community member seeking to rebuild blighted lots. Akinyele said she had been told the lot purchase price could be as high as $50,000 and urged the council to consider how the city’s sale processes affect small, local applicants.

A second commenter who identified herself as Queen Madri Maku of the Central Ward described recurring asthma attacks she attributes to mold and alleged that abatements had not been made in her apartment despite court actions against her landlord. She told the council the building has been unregistered since 2015 and said she has been seeking relocation due to ongoing health hazards.

A later commenter referenced a Rutgers Law School Center on Law, Inequality and Metropolitan Equity report published April 25, 2025, which the speaker summarized as concluding that Newark is \"in transition\" toward gentrification and that the city shows signs of \"job gentrification\" — investment in market‑rate housing and renovations that raise prices without matching local job growth. The speaker urged the council to bring the administration and the Affirmative Action Review Council before the municipal council to review monitoring and compliance with Newark resident employment policies tied to development projects.

Why it matters: public commenters raised immediate health and habitability concerns and broader threats of displacement tied to market‑rate development. The speakers asked the council to use oversight and procurement processes to protect residents and ensure employment and relocation protections where appropriate.

What comes next: council members offered to follow up with staff after the meeting on individual tenant relocation and code‑enforcement referrals; the speaker urging an Affirmative Action Review Council briefing asked the council to require an administrative appearance for monitoring employment compliance on development projects.","During public comment, residents described unresolved apartment mold and health risks, a small developer described barriers to homeownership, and a community speaker cited a Rutgers Law School report saying Newark is \"in transition\" toward gentrification, urging review of resident employment compliance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559615,"Business administrator tells council federal cuts delayed city budget; members request budget committee meeting",745,663030,1408445,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e&start=663&end=1408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e/thumbnail_663030.jpg","/articles/6559615/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Business-administrator-tells-council-federal-cuts-delayed-city-budget-members-request-budget-committee-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559615-77da9cec87e148ef02857e71ae0b02e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442986&Signature=oZJSuPEglnjPSwTNeeDXj4VTL6egXDrUkn-ydT5NHk9ejGF9cnO9x2tsJbG29pdKXVM-nCLMF9gxmvwVLJojjn0vRQRbtnigHnVjkY~k~9aYtVTKJEJwLKcRPoI7b44sDR1DRoKHmjMC~3JpbSiyxr8as8IMKu~clwVrq87pt7ceu7slUuh7TXRaESEPTLBDys9kMui22LQzGqK2nIm4HrCJM4yalIbF5H5MnwILB7pf7J2HQBznAUhSjv2TTMOcUpBOBIPDJYo9UupbI~cDDjXqrUaTp64rdGd6Y256~1vsYsclAhgGr558JlkW4rxq7PZwDNGSee~rToBjQTQS6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the May 6 pre‑meeting, council members asked when they would receive the city’s proposed budget. Multiple council members said the budget had been promised months earlier and pressed the administration for a timeline.

Eric Pennington, Business Administrator, told the council staff were still working with the budget director and that the department had been delayed by recent federal actions that pulled funds from the city. Pennington said the city had lost about $6 million the prior week and an additional $1 million the day before, and that certain CDBG funds were at risk. He said those changes required additional adjustments before staff could present a balanced budget.

\"We are working through to make sure that we can give you a budget that is gonna be doable and make sense,\" Pennington said, adding that staff would continue to work diligently and requested a budget committee meeting so council members could receive detailed updates and avoid repeated public questioning at council meetings.

Council members asked that the full council’s budget committee be reconstituted or clarified so the body could meet without forming a quorum of the full council when detailed budget briefings were required. The clerk agreed to schedule a budget meeting.

Why it matters: the city’s operating budget determines near‑term spending priorities, staffing, and service levels. Council members expressed urgency because the calendar approaches the start of the fiscal month and because federal reductions change assumptions in the draft budget.

What comes next: the clerk was asked to schedule a budget meeting with staff; Pennington said staff will provide updates and work to deliver the budget as soon as possible.","Business Administrator Eric Pennington told the council that the city has lost federal funds (including about $1 million and another $6 million recently) and that complications from federal reductions have delayed delivery of the city budget. Council members asked to schedule a budget committee meeting and sought regular updates.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559620,"Council presses EHD for letters of interest, questions assessed‑value gaps after $30,000 lot sale proposal",835,730940,1566630,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e&start=730&end=1566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e/thumbnail_730940.jpg","/articles/6559620/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Council-presses-EHD-for-letters-of-interest-questions-assessedvalue-gaps-after-30000-lot-sale-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559620-21b7d8aef514d3437f41e8f26b41f6f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442986&Signature=h80H2Tz8Rr~P-QJyWkUBMEN3b2AEbfyibkdLFRrkTQ4n~AR3Ir7EimB5gCQcx-W9i2yO8J7iNIN0O0qIXvoZ-jx0V8YLH~iZKsPkN9vzui0Rqz~GgnhCRHQDvNzogvJMw5PlW6nETI8m9KQW9Gb28MvKi5KhDX9lcAOjM86uAZP6~bR~WN07CB~K1bEYrpRWEcUhh8J-HAksSE7B2FN6su7tooMrsw4MoW2IhoAymvl0KFnG8hUqcaehbhuN3ge9jqxOEMvCI~bx63V1zx5895iQY8uOvcn4xW0675eLOGxogqL8ysI2cT5dwtqbgF3fbG9sGh8FA1gRNJNRZ2l~Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 6 during the pre‑meeting, several council members pressed the city’s economic development staff for greater transparency about the process used to select buyers for city‑owned lots, asking for lists of letters of interest (LOIs), a rubric comparing competing offers, and historical LOI records going back several years.

Council members said the information circulated in the morning contained photos and a justification for a proposed sale, but not the set of competing LOIs or a summary of how many parties expressed interest. One council member asked that the Economic and Housing Development (EHD) department provide a short summary showing how many LOIs were requested and received and a basic justification comparing the finalists so the council could understand why a particular buyer was selected.

The proposed sale of a parcel assessed at $186,000 but priced on the agenda at $30,000 drew particular scrutiny; one council member described the optics as poor and asked staff to explain why the price differed from the assessed value and what comparables or development plans justified the discount. Another council member asked that the city provide LOI histories over the last four to five years to show prior interest in the property.

Eric Pennington, the city’s Business Administrator, said that assessed value and appraised value are not the same, noting the city is mid‑process on a property re‑evaluation and that assessed values on the rolls had not been updated for 13 years. Pennington said the city evaluates each property and recommended sale price based on the condition of the parcel, any dilapidation or fire loss, and the objectives for neighborhood stabilization; he said staff would supply requested background and comparisons when available.

Council members also asked for the LOI materials before the full council vote scheduled for the special meeting and asked staff to standardize a concise format showing the number of LOIs received and the reasons for selecting an awardee.

Why it matters: council members said transparency about competing offers and the city’s valuation rationale is necessary for public confidence when the city disposes of publicly owned land, particularly when sale prices differ substantially from assessed values.

What comes next: Economic and Housing Development staff were asked to provide LOI lists and a short comparative rubric to the council before the special meeting vote; several property items were deferred pending that information.","Council members asked the Department of Economic and Housing Development for records showing competing letters of interest and raised concerns that assessed values on the tax rolls do not match current market conditions after an agenda item proposed selling a lot assessed at $186,000 for $30,000.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559625,"Council advances driver‑school and dockless delivery licensing language as members raise safety concerns over unregistered small motorcycles and ATVs",31,121820,153130,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e&start=121&end=153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3199069-fdc9a86286ec27665ea23f690477c28e/thumbnail_121820.jpg","/articles/6559625/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Council-advances-driverschool-and-dockless-delivery-licensing-language-as-members-raise-safety-concerns-over-unregistered-small-motorcycles-and-ATVs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559625-a716065e306e31bc88e3a8c67c11a562/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442986&Signature=ZssxMqF0roNllnjAW97uqAu0N66NoFaq1elcm---14Y6LSZyb29CIqUaJxjqjAA33Oh1H6XXyoIvKHoMav5bcZkyI4y4ApCGIgx-RNnJTJL6fwKsWUQWbFMFpJNxlYFrQWoUerQ0jNN6OXXH~L~6e42u9e6sd0Z~73RtrdSC10E0tRbIbJUaB-kXhzVfAl-TU0GHi9BBFWJJ6gWh29ovieKCy1m8XuHH0SmEBgCV2-gXeoEzve~t8FG54CErvC7BKl1nGFT1YkHlAoyo01tJKEClIujgXMNYC-SmfOS6m4WgkoJR7a~KwHGH7quZxjsxpTmcji2tNDERqD~dwRnhhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 6 pre‑meeting, the Newark Municipal Council considered two new chapters in the city’s business and occupations code: one to create driver‑school registration intended to promote street safety, and another to license dockless vehicles used for commercial deliveries to address sidewalk and street safety in the public right‑of‑way.

Council members raised enforcement and safety concerns during the discussion. Councilman Nelson Ramos, who identified himself as a sponsor for the dockless‑vehicle licensing ordinance, said the ordinance is intended primarily to regulate food‑delivery bikes but that unrelated small motorcycles, mopeds and four‑wheel recreational vehicles are a separate enforcement issue, which he described as dangerous when operated on city streets without plates or helmets.

“New York City has done a really good job of publicly destroying vehicles that they confiscate, and it serves as a really ... effective public relations tool to deter other individuals from illegally using 4 wheelers on city streets,” Councilman Nelson Ramos said. “I would encourage ... this administration consider doing the same thing. I’m sure they’ve confiscated a number of these vehicles over the years, and I think we need to send a strong message ... we will confiscate and more importantly, we will destroy these very expensive pieces of equipment.”

Other council members pressed staff to invite public safety officials to a future special meeting to explain enforcement options and clarify which vehicles fall under state versus municipal regulation, and to get information on registration and helmet requirements for the smaller, Vespa‑type vehicles that some members said function like motorcycles.

The clerk recorded sponsorship for both ordinances: Councilman Ramos as sponsor with Councilman Kells (recorded as second) on one item; Councilman Silva was acknowledged as having worked on the measures. The clerk noted no substantive questions beyond enforcement concerns and moved on to the next agenda items.

Why it matters: the new code chapters would create a city licensing framework for driver schools and dockless commercial delivery vehicles, shifting some responsibility for sidewalk and curb safety to a local licensing regime. Council members’ enforcement concerns reflect broader questions about how municipal and state law intersect for small motorcycles and recreational vehicles.

What comes next: council members asked staff to bring public safety representatives to a future special meeting to clarify enforcement options.","The council reviewed ordinances to create driver‑school registration and licensing for dockless delivery vehicles; members asked public safety to address unregistered Vespas, mopeds and four‑wheel recreational vehicles on city streets, and Councilman Nelson Ramos proposed stronger confiscation measures as a deterrent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews multiple long-term tax-abatement ordinances for proposed Newark housing projects

Public commenters urge action on landlord noncompliance and warn of gentrification trends in Newark

Business administrator tells council federal cuts delayed city budget; members request budget committee meeting

Council presses EHD for letters of interest, questions assessed‑value gaps after $30,000 lot sale proposal

Council advances driver‑school and dockless delivery licensing language as members raise safety concerns over unregistered small motorcycles and ATVs