[{"_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",6185711,"mediaKeyId","5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a","parentId",5081251,"title","Church and neighborhood groups ask council to halt 77-unit Bergen Avenue project over parking and demolition worries","audioSeconds",405,"startMs",11996000,"endMs",12401000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a&start=11996&end=12401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a/thumbnail_11996000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185711/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Church-and-neighborhood-groups-ask-council-to-halt-77-unit-Bergen-Avenue-project-over-parking-and-demolition-worries","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185711-998d47a0e8ceb6ccfecca72cada33d7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196735&Signature=WeSlW49pc8Y3-pkT40sUvSQI0sIdKdBcD5kRV0PQ8P3ATiKAwff0DKFMjzKqZDOdF3dp9jZsHqtNPDj5U7k8~of4-65XsQ865X8xvqN4kFPtNzhNzGpQ4eMorvU6JujKZvXKUZ7Uya1rnPKgsMSRBdI2zzrTyIrs8vbaeUsQW9s-HcRQIkWoTUq~Ho3hovQw7LW0JROYDmrEk6hDeURwcVx1ZdQK4qdloU4SGTSgTPcj0u8zz44HGAlm8y~aPR9bAbLhdvrhzbCPk974pQ-VETBARZodja5eiYelD8ZzHIfe-aBVKRVdi0yfvM6SchMMzkavfTm~z6ksJxYz1lMfjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Jersey City, NJ","date","2025-06-26T20:09:57.557Z","article","Residents and religious leaders from a tight-knit Jersey City community asked the municipal council to pause or oppose a proposed 77-unit residential development at 829 Bergen Avenue after the project changed developers and, they said, abandoned previously negotiated parking commitments.

Speakers from St. George and St. Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church said the prior developer had agreed during a two-year outreach process to include approximately 20 parking spaces as part of a compromise with the church and neighborhood, but the new owner’s revised plans reportedly omit parking and add retail space. “This revised proposal eliminates all parking and instead introduces a retail space potentially profitable for the developer, but at a great cost to our neighborhood,” said engineer Robert Lichens Olshetwe, who spoke on behalf of the church.

Church leaders emphasized safety concerns: the neighborhood hosts multiple active houses of worship, several schools and a children’s summer program; speakers said demolition notices were issued without a public-safety plan addressing nearby kids and the heavy congregation schedule. “We currently have an active summer camp with children...this is a major safety concern,” Mina said during public comment.

Speakers urged the council and planning department to require the developer to reinstate the previously negotiated parking or to delay action until the community has a formal plan for traffic, parking and construction safety. Council staff said the planning board has primary jurisdiction over such design and parking details and that council members would follow up with planning staff to determine the project’s current status and whether demolition has begun; the mayor’s representative confirmed demolition had not started as of the hearing.

Residents requested a new traffic study that includes Sunday and peak religious-service periods and asked the council to ensure construction does not begin without a public-safety plan that accounts for school and church schedules. The council asked planning staff to report back with the status of the file and noted the community’s request to re-open the earlier agreement for parking.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jersey City Municipal Council Meeting June 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of St. George and St. Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church and nearby residents asked the council to oppose or delay a proposed 77-unit, 11-story development at 829 Bergen Avenue, citing loss of previously negotiated parking, lack of a public-safety demolition plan and impacts on schools and churches nearby.","taxTitle","Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey","taxId",2747,"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},6185717,"Council approves Kind Buds Jersey City license despite objections from nearby operator; two abstentions and one no vote recorded",1677,6638000,8315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a&start=6638&end=8315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a/thumbnail_6638000.jpg","/articles/6185717/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-Kind-Buds-Jersey-City-license-despite-objections-from-nearby-operator-two-abstentions-and-one-no-vote-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185717-7d2315b872259bd6464e6509c6c0c365/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196735&Signature=mytedrxrVT-rSxT-q3wnC7VlD3Zl0AfU-QWTVTkvJ5glsVuv1ESOpy4HNt1~trc3pAr-idKimdGMH~TDsl~LiFSjOE5zwbAsasJ~-A7R29F5aE289-ipinUaIyTC5zqKc6RKcYruc7No4vPQNANn06cXOdVIqkKW4Sv8cmU1WyOBG2F9hIQAfXGRF6aZeuVeGZRdTMlDdVgJlYeoI-Qk2HXIUgi2YK-W9WVTH58m2kgdgsJTujN~FRilU8aHwqzP4MgQTTmxJad215k~DJ9y3vXzvP8Lyc4KVO9PTJGOiUPUrPuUDc7Owd0aWKUfoTtyJaqbO94exYXiX3uiWzht7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jersey City Municipal Council approved a resolution supporting Kind Buds Jersey City to operate a Class 5 retail cannabis business after a contested public hearing and debate over the city’s 600-foot spacing policy for dispensaries.

Community members and competing applicants gave sharply divided testimony. Alexandria Alcala and supporters asked the council to deny the Kind Buds resolution because it would place a second retail dispensary very near Alcala’s approved location and because, they said, the competing operator had demonstrated prior community engagement and a stronger local impact plan. “Approving a cannabis retail such close to her proximity to her establishment can undermine her ability to sustain and grow her business,” Yvonne Garcia, PTA president at PS 27, said on Alcala’s behalf.

Kind Buds’ owner, Michael, told the council he had secured community partnerships, workforce development commitments and approval from the Cannabis Regulatory Board, and that he has financing and plans to open. “This business means everything to me,” Michael said, asking that the council treat his application the same as other applicants previously grandfathered under the city’s application timetable.

Council debate centered on the city’s practice of allowing applicants who applied before council action to proceed in parallel even when later applications fall inside the 600-foot buffer. Corporation counsel confirmed the city had earlier granted similar flexibility to other applicants and noted past litigation risk if the council treated similarly situated applicants differently.

When the item was called, most council members voted in favor, but Councilperson Soleil cast the lone “no” vote and Councilperson Gilmore and Council President Waterman abstained. The tally recorded by the clerk was effectively 5 yes, 1 no, 2 abstentions. Several council members said they regretted the appearance of unfairness — that one applicant appeared to have proceeded further before another — but cited legal risk and precedent in deciding to approve the resolution.

Council members said they wanted clearer and more consistent rules for future cannabis licensing and noted the need to prioritize equity and community impact for future awards. The vote leaves the applicant able to proceed with municipal approvals at the site but does not affect state licensing or building and zoning requirements.","After public testimony from competing applicants and community members, the council approved a resolution supporting Kind Buds Jersey City to operate a retail cannabis business; two council members abstained and one voted no, citing concerns about fairness and spacing rules.",{"_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},6185721,"Portside Towers tenants press council for enforcement of housing, security and rent rules; court dates and summonses noted",453,8763000,9216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a&start=8763&end=9216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a/thumbnail_8763000.jpg","/articles/6185721/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Portside-Towers-tenants-press-council-for-enforcement-of-housing-security-and-rent-rules-court-dates-and-summonses-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185721-c18e2a56fd043ab6d4f58b4b3142ba7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196735&Signature=Mv4M6EVVslZqMZ~1WRKaeNokM6ZMZ5SW9KlnleOlN305peCptWqyzkJl7-NAE6AGs7aMo48KHWQX3UAD~uPEJuvjkF4ojUA2eU5WXqBrPPZICG9ZNSiEm97Td0X6wOpykOLdSuQV-ek6zQkID~ebchvhY019YR0Mzdpq-uvpnmWAXUW-WLswUYuGyEjcNsMBUzCniUYah4bvbs5dNQFelM8GkVkkPJQVOkVoJJH6-wXZMpXBGj-UXE6V0Nxonuv0KDoJxxUW6uBVhTCZhW0h1NQw~qpCWjpN9xVmLT~2nPJgJwAMvCubda3oxKJ6QNRyFlSarv4sTD1JIqW4438Yvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of Portside Towers and tenant advocates used the council’s public-comment period to press elected officials for immediate enforcement of local housing and safety ordinances, including mandatory uniform security, and to challenge rent increases they say violate city rules.

Speakers from tenant associations and legal advocates described repeated code and maintenance complaints, long-running summonses, and a pattern of inaction from municipal authorities. Tenants said Equity Residential, the building operator mentioned by speakers, has repeatedly failed to provide 24/7 uniform security required under city ordinance and has raised rents by double-digit percentages in recent years.

“We still do not have 24/7 uniform security at Portside Towers,” tenant speaker Daniel told the council, listing repeated complaints and requests to the municipal prosecutor and enforcement staff. Gracie, another tenant representative, urged the council to “impose daily fines immediately despite any threat of a lawsuit” and to ensure municipal-court complaints are prosecuted.

Multiple speakers said the city’s municipal prosecutor has scheduled a consolidated hearing for a significant number of outstanding violations on Aug. 25; corporation counsel confirmed multiple summonses are pending in municipal court and that the prosecutor’s office is coordinating dates. Tenants asked the council to follow up on the status of those prosecutions and to consider an independent council investigation into allegations of systemic non-enforcement.

Speakers also raised rent-control concerns and alleged discriminatory or algorithmic pricing practices. One resident, Saleem Khan, said his rent increases totaled roughly 24% over three years and asked the council to enforce ordinance 2-60 (rent regulation) and to investigate whether pricing software used by landlords violated local or federal law. Tenants asked the council to convene an oversight hearing with the enforcement director, municipal prosecutor, and relevant department heads.

Council members and legal staff agreed to provide memos on legal options for council oversight and on the municipal-court process for enforcement; corporation counsel said staff would provide schedules for pending hearings and noted a significant consolidated date in August. Council members urged tenants to continue submitting formal complaints through the city reporting channels while the council pursues legal memos and potential oversight steps.

The council did not approve a formal investigatory resolution at the meeting but directed legal staff to brief members on the options for inquiries, enforcement pathways and possible remedies for sustained noncompliance.","Tenants and advocates told the council that Portside Towers lacks legally mandated uniform security and faces unresolved maintenance and rent-control issues; speakers urged daily fines, criminal prosecution of violations and a formal council investigation.",{"_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},6185726,"After child’s death, Jersey City residents demand immediate street-safety actions; council president calls for special meeting",1097,5738000,6835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a&start=5738&end=6835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a/thumbnail_5738000.jpg","/articles/6185726/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/After-childs-death-Jersey-City-residents-demand-immediate-street-safety-actions-council-president-calls-for-special-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185726-05819501d3652038e947b568a4e8c62d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196735&Signature=T8nZQm4c4wARXSw7oRnaEW5MZR6u2x5O-KmAI-Vmk~mp8hEg4IJnh10OIW52jnzpA5xwyxuP3HrqEQ~~9MexukxI~Q5m2rDHVqJoI0LMHG9WoRhwlDDKgaLq~NwtelyHkz-n96L8htvoSZUF5YCccI-JnweibS4H0S4K7KIB3CwWUG9NibdVosTOY0XJMQafoUmynJI6VSl1kUR7d-2encgjkfXzbJ0QIF2EeVo443SL~NFMaMn8bmPgDzYrQUR2mNY1uu3g2eGu9xc8IOxKsUKQu3Xvn0AhblNlqK6UwCu2Zq7j9W3bAoR0cf0OtTRYWTrsMdZnAqR17QXOuJjNOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jersey City Municipal Council heard an extended and emotional public-comment session focused on street safety and the recent death of 6-year-old Eli Bender, who was struck and killed while crossing an intersection. Dozens of residents, advocates and parents demanded immediate action, including lowered speed limits, hardened infrastructure, and stepped-up traffic enforcement.

Speakers representing advocacy groups and families outlined a multi-point plan they said the city could implement quickly. “How many more people have to die?” asked Nick C., a resident and bicyclist who told the council that infrastructure and enforcement are failing. Traffic Reform Warriors and other local groups read an open letter with five key demands: citywide 20 mph speed limits, hardened infrastructure (planters, concrete curb extensions), dedicated traffic enforcement officers, emergency funding for the Department of Infrastructure, and full implementation of the city’s Vision Zero plan.

Public-safety recommendations in public comment included automated enforcement measures, leading pedestrian intervals at intersections, prohibiting dangerous turns, and converting curbside parking to fire and safety lanes. “We could convert just 1% of curbside parking into fire lanes like other cities do,” speaker Danielle said, adding that short-term changes could save lives while longer redesigns proceed.

Speakers named specific operational changes they want: “Dedicate 6 officers to full time traffic enforcement,” Ashley urged, and “implement automated enforcement, especially in school zones.” Members of the Traffic Reform Warriors and parent groups also asked for a transparent reporting app (Watts) to be restored, and pressed for an accelerated timeline for curb extensions and protected bike lanes.

Council President Waterman responded to the chorus of public demands by proposing a special meeting in the coming week that would include the public-safety director and the assistant public-safety director. “I’d like the public safety director there,” Waterman said, requesting the administration to provide representatives so the council and advocates could “start tackling this ASAP” and produce near-term steps for the next council meeting. Corporation counsel said the council could assemble a public, non-executive meeting and staff would supply legal and procedural options for follow-up.

Advocates and residents pressed the council to act before the next regular meeting on July 16 and to use every tool available — enforcement, engineering and education — in parallel. Several speakers said they would judge elected officials in the coming election cycle by who “acted” and who did not. Council members agreed to seek memos from legal staff on investigatory options and next steps for accelerating Vision Zero measures.

The session closed without a formal, council-wide directive or ordinance, but with a clear commitment from the council president to convene city public-safety leadership and interested community groups to discuss concrete near-term actions.","Public commenters pressed the council to accelerate Vision Zero measures after the killing of 6-year-old Eli Bender; speakers demanded lower speed limits, hardened infrastructure and enforcement; Council President Waterman asked for a special meeting with public safety officials to respond rapidly.",{"_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},6185731,"Jersey City Council adopts ordinance to opt into Garden State C-PACE program after Port Liberte residents urge action",162,2781000,2943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a&start=2781&end=2943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081251-d12c42419e979dd0bf0f82c39a27dd6a/thumbnail_2781000.jpg","/articles/6185731/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Jersey-City-Council-adopts-ordinance-to-opt-into-Garden-State-C-PACE-program-after-Port-Liberte-residents-urge-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185731-db6705b03fed412eeb41bd0a7e970884/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196735&Signature=bJC42TZ06wFXhojGJLiDlzNpN0mXUWLlksidH8Y3jIApSDTKcTnF9ELqCKpsQfI71BZ0Fzn5jaRqIkuU44tiBvoXHy9KpE-~nZ5VX8wr15RWmbPm0h0aSRBe3wcs5SUnnJVHy82r~QBNTZuCPvMxHnjeFIWnjhCAl2C~p1SP9XGcfvw1o9Ioziwx6PwMVMJqqb8MOf0ACqNECLIlSlSTPDChDlykWQQ5ZtPUXSMe3JJhBXePOUUJMsWVIYspH4f9zCN9eWaLQaYJcYL8Te-l9aRi151f2ityWphKhMJ7pCdUwoB79rOAWc8d-JjIVlqfQLVBxODWMjNJGxGpt3T30A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jersey City Municipal Council on Wednesday adopted an ordinance to opt the city into the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, a state-backed financing mechanism that helps owners fund energy efficiency and resiliency work through property-secured assessments.

The measure, city ordinance 25-065, passed on final reading by an 8-0 vote with Councilperson Baggiano absent.

The adoption followed a public hearing in which multiple Port Liberte residents described a multi-million-dollar capital project at their waterfront condominium and urged the council to approve the C-PACE opt-in so their community could access financing. “Port Liberte is a beautiful condominium development on the canals,” resident Leanne Callahan told the council, describing a roughly 363-unit complex. She said building envelope work after Hurricane Sandy and decades of wear has driven a potential re-envelopment cost to “about $50,000,000.”

Other Port Liberte speakers said seniors and long-term residents would be disproportionately harmed if the association had to self-finance the project. “This relief of C-PACE would be welcomed by many seniors like myself. I am 76 years old,” Norma Jimenez said, describing a $140,000 special assessment she said she faced.

Council members who spoke during the vote thanked residents for appearing and noted the ordinance had been the product of earlier research and interagency conversations. Councilperson Ridley, who noted constituent outreach from Port Liberte, said the program could “assist a little bit” with what she called “a big lift.” The ordinance passed on final consideration and adoption with an 8-0 tally.

What the ordinance does and does not do: by opting in, Jersey City authorizes property owners to pursue C-PACE financing under the state program’s rules; the city’s role is to permit the program to operate locally and to cooperate with required lien processes. Council members and staff stated that individual projects would still need to meet C-PACE eligibility rules and go through application and approval processes before financing occurs.

The public comments during the hearing highlighted several implementation questions residents said they want the city to monitor: which property types qualify (commercial and multifamily are typically eligible), how assessments are attached to properties, and how long processing will take. Council staff answered general program questions in the hearing, describing C-PACE as a state program to support sustainable, resilient capital projects, not a direct city grant program.

The council’s adoption clears the way for Port Liberte and other commercial or multifamily properties to apply for C-PACE financing if they meet program requirements. Residents and council members said they will continue to press the administration and staff for information on next steps, timing and outreach for potentially eligible properties.

Looking ahead, Port Liberte residents who spoke said they would pursue the program’s application steps and requested city assistance in public information about how to apply.","After public comment from Port Liberte residents about a costly building envelope repair, the Jersey City Municipal Council adopted an ordinance opting into the Garden State C-PACE financing program to enable property-level loans for energy and resiliency projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Church and neighborhood groups ask council to halt 77-unit Bergen Avenue project over parking and demolition worries

Council approves Kind Buds Jersey City license despite objections from nearby operator; two abstentions and one no vote recorded

Portside Towers tenants press council for enforcement of housing, security and rent rules; court dates and summonses noted

After child’s death, Jersey City residents demand immediate street-safety actions; council president calls for special meeting

Jersey City Council adopts ordinance to opt into Garden State C-PACE program after Port Liberte residents urge action