[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6462593,"mediaKeyId","5804482-291b2a1cd78e67304780ca0d7cb4d5f6","parentId",5804482,"title","Bayonne council adopts series of ordinances, redevelopment measures and names official city bird","audioSeconds",3962,"startMs",114000,"endMs",4076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5804482-291b2a1cd78e67304780ca0d7cb4d5f6&start=114&end=4076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5804482-291b2a1cd78e67304780ca0d7cb4d5f6/thumbnail_114000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462593/Bayonne-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Bayonne-council-adopts-series-of-ordinances-redevelopment-measures-and-names-official-city-bird","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462593-fbc40a9ba88d8bdac2caade1284d2a83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149430&Signature=XG5lmIbT-2X9Yh~dLYrQ~ar7aeq9~GcjSi2sSfDc1yV1IKCO90Ckd-n2rB13TvyiLjS6z3l3BSdwA0zj7yBW2MOjzhGT~OKJb5riKe-GSTl8HgdPvC3a~OgAVuZqRe1fBcRGYkIeB3ar4K4s27yq2iuXEsJgOaYJd1lDVbSZtjjSuXPeEY5DYr1225QwKF3q4EsdoI~1Fs8tQp5gtxWwJCfvuW4dypFRRzQtW3L2wk7sbQOzx9UA9rkZxJtvsXmvRxAaa9nvEtFxJPBemkalneXdhTIDy6-KEMdNST7~SQmOiEB3mIm5OJc8vp0S8QPmXWiL-MinafNnlynDsOH9BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bayonne","date","2025-09-21T04:01:08Z","article","The Bayonne City Council on Sept. 17 approved a package of ordinances and redevelopment resolutions, including final passage of several traffic and land‑use measures, authorization of an access agreement and a 30‑year lease for the Bayonne Fire Museum, and a resolution designating the yellow‑crowned night heron as the city bird.

The council opened and closed public hearings on multiple ordinances that had been introduced Aug. 13 and moved each to final passage. Several items drew no public protest and were closed by motion and voice vote. The measures included changes to the municipal traffic code, approval of redevelopment plans for specific blocks and lots across the city, and authorization of access and property agreements required under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.

Votes at a glance
- O‑1: Ordinance authorizing acquisition of real property (City of Jersey City) — second reading held and final passage ordered; roll call recorded as Aye from Booker, Carroll, Perez, Weimer and LaPalouse. Outcome: approved.
- O‑2: Ordinance approving redevelopment plan for 745–747 Broadway (Block 139, Lots 18 & 19) — public hearing held and final passage ordered; transcript records Councilman Carroll voting \"No\" on the final resolution while other members voted Aye. Outcome: approved.
- O‑3: Ordinance approving an access agreement between the City and 26 North Avenue Urban Renewal LLC (Block 297, Lot 3) — council discussed that the developer will deed a small portion of property to maintain sidewalk width and to create a pull‑in space; public hearing closed and final passage ordered. Outcome: approved.
- O‑4: Ordinance authorizing a 30‑year lease with the Fire Museum of Bayonne for city property at 10 West 40th Street (Block 77, Lot 26) — public hearing included supportive remarks from council members and museum representatives; final passage ordered. Outcome: approved.
- O‑5 through O‑8: Ordinances amending Chapter 7 (traffic) — these included deleting a restrictive parking zone, establishing no‑parking on portions of West 16th Street, prohibiting parking on Goldsboro Drive, and other traffic Code amendments; public hearings were opened and closed with no protests and resolutions ordering final passage were adopted. Outcome: approved.
- R‑1 through R‑6: Redevelopment designations and authorizations — the council designated multiple properties and directed planning actions or authorized negotiation of redevelopment agreements (including properties on Avenue C, Broadway and other locations). One redevelopment resolution drew a recorded dissent from Councilman Carroll; the remaining redevelopment resolutions were adopted. Outcome: adopted (see individual items above for dissent noted).
- CR‑17: Resolution designating the yellow‑crowned night heron as the official bird of the City of Bayonne — adopted; the resolution calls for signage in visible locations to raise public awareness. Outcome: adopted.

Several other procedural items were moved on consent, including communications and officers’ reports. The council set public hearings and final passage dates (many on Oct. 15) for a separate set of ordinances that were introduced at the meeting, including a $3,000,000 special emergency appropriation for payment of contractually required severance liabilities; those items were scheduled for public hearing and final passage on Oct. 15 in the Dorothy E. Harrington Council Chambers.

Why it matters: The adopted redevelopment designations and access agreements advance multiple private development projects and related public‑realm changes (sidewalks, parking, access). The traffic code amendments change parking and street use rules in multiple neighborhoods. The designation of an official city bird is symbolic but the redevelopment approvals and access agreements have direct effects on land use, public infrastructure and future project requirements.

What council noted: For several redevelopment items the council and developers said negotiations are voluntary and would rely on agreements with property owners; the transcript records council members stressing that condemnation is not proposed where the resolution says \"non‑condemnation area in need of redevelopment.\" Council members also recorded concerns about parking adequacy tied to certain redevelopment phases, resulting in at least one recorded no vote.

Next steps: Several introduced ordinances and budget/appropriation actions were set for public hearing and final passage on Oct. 15. Redevelopment agreements will be prepared or directed to the planning board as required by the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-0917 Bayonne City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Bayonne City Council on Sept. 17 approved a package of ordinances and redevelopment resolutions, including final passage of traffic code changes, authorization of an access agreement, a 30‑year lease for the Bayonne Fire Museum and a resolution naming the yellow‑crowned night heron the city bird.","taxTitle","Bayonne City, Hudson County, New Jersey","taxId",12589,"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},6462583,"Residents press council over dangerous traffic near Costco; officials say plan in place",265,1278000,1543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5804482-291b2a1cd78e67304780ca0d7cb4d5f6&start=1278&end=1543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5804482-291b2a1cd78e67304780ca0d7cb4d5f6/thumbnail_1278000.jpg","/articles/6462583/Bayonne-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Residents-press-council-over-dangerous-traffic-near-Costco-officials-say-plan-in-place","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462583-c2a09daaa98f204d5c2454e3e234f305/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149430&Signature=My54iZTf78oXaMGX-V-MLbtI8VkH3EyRUWpC97WEMqo1Lpat2xCiJOi6CBQHk2ijc5ERjRXY40Yc6Bpx5RH6So9xg3KWPym~SV-6HmncU78x1Bjx3m6evyeeqzOM8CNssRUEUwkH1sAGVgdytWhWUiG7Jd0KOtaY231-ZAZNFCvXtp3eDe2fJcxtQWyLucxzQ01Ueb1CZpAKTD61j9TxWgGZYD0EwjgqqQq0UhV~VNrC5Hj29Xg8V4Tdf922uHK7vP2AKjxAQKyDwjC-j0w03w4DwSfgkjNiXsD7xuDPpbsGIdBKwaY7uoGzJ5FwkazQTCZUy30NfpSrE5C755m0EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents told the Bayonne City Council on Sept. 17 that dangerous traffic patterns near the Costco/Starbucks area and nearby streets are creating what one speaker called a \"nightmare\" and that action is overdue.

Tom Solari, a resident of West Grama Street, said he has repeatedly reported drivers entering the eastbound lane to cut across to a traffic light, a maneuver he described as \"against traffic\" and \"head on.\" Solari said he had provided video evidence to council members and to city staff and accused the city's on‑call engineer (identified as Russo in testimony) of not returning calls. Solari urged the council to install middle‑of‑street measures or other physical changes to stop drivers from using the center lane to cut across traffic.

Council members, the public‑safety director and Lieutenant Conte responded that engineering, public works and the police department have been working on plans and that implementation is a matter of executing that plan and funding. Council members said that a short lapse in engineering oversight occurred when the city's engineering firm changed ownership or was purchased, leaving assignments temporarily unresolved; council members said that issue was resolved during the week of the meeting.

Council members reiterated that police and Lieutenant Conte have been monitoring the area and that plans for entrance and exit management at Costco and adjacent businesses are being developed. The council said the issue requires both infrastructure changes and enforcement; members asked residents to be patient while the plan is implemented.

Why it matters: The area cited is heavily trafficked and near commercial entrances; persistent unsafe driving can increase crash risk for motorists and pedestrians. Council members acknowledged the danger and said multiple departments (engineering, public works, police) are coordinating remedies.

What residents asked for: Physical measures to prevent center‑lane cutting, traffic signal considerations, and earlier engineering attention. Officials noted that money and implementation sequencing are factors and said they expect progress in coming weeks.

Direct transcript details: Solari said the problem predates current developments and cited KRE and other projects as increasing traffic pressure; he reported having submitted video evidence and urged council members to act before someone is injured. Council members responded that plans exist and implementation is pending but that the matter is a high priority for police and engineering staff.","Multiple speakers raised concerns about risky driver behavior and congestion near Costco and a Starbucks, citing near‑head‑on driving and lack of a traffic light; council members and police said engineering and public‑safety plans exist and that ownership transition of an engineering firm recently caused short delays.",{"_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},6462588,"Wheelchair user urges Bayonne to fix curb cuts and sidewalks; council outlines inspection and ramp program",1196,1080000,2276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5804482-291b2a1cd78e67304780ca0d7cb4d5f6&start=1080&end=2276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5804482-291b2a1cd78e67304780ca0d7cb4d5f6/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","/articles/6462588/Bayonne-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Wheelchair-user-urges-Bayonne-to-fix-curb-cuts-and-sidewalks-council-outlines-inspection-and-ramp-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462588-9f52744a94c9614f49aff12938b3bed5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149430&Signature=k6YcWMN-nMmL5swLOzCg714pC140EARXvAp9nPql14yI7kX~~40oDwoF0FJUU8HUC~Yqh6e~4JebjjjC~~CEEjpHIcRL4euJAgjb9uniQqLAzrqTDyuo-3jpOLnH6J69-HcNMspsSwnppIX7~tl3jci~bNkVNGANH8ewq0zhHEjz1kd8nGp8V5CCi0MOfcciZyU69A9GHNIVB9cUpJWblhvV71ja3gpNrLK7AWtberHFDjJfN9s3rtHwRvFTecFlvk6Wr5KjexU3Yzr5poEe2hjtG6TqcJEFwonZpj-qpFIC8GY01Fwqpov~my3US6IRDuIRbDchdcMWMZgJ-HeRvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A 20‑year‑old Bayonne resident and wheelchair user told the City Council on Sept. 17 that steep, abrupt curb cuts and broken sidewalks have repeatedly damaged their wheelchair, imposed more than $7,000 in repairs over six months and restricted mobility.

\"My wheelchair is my legs, my independence, my connection to the world, and it is being destroyed by the very infrastructure meant to make the city accessible,\" Carmelo DeBerry told the council during public comment. DeBerry said abrupt slope transitions have tipped their chair and forced them to ask strangers for help; they also provided receipts showing more than $7,000 in repairs in six months and stated their original chair cost more than $33,000.

Council members and Director Kotter responded that the city has an ongoing program to install and repair handicap ramps when streets are paved and that funding for ramps is included in paving projects. Director Kotter said the city regularly installs ramps when paving streets and that state standards for ramp slope have changed over time; older ramps can fall out of compliance as standards evolve. Kotter told the council the city does \"all 4 corners\" when paving a street and cited upcoming sidewalk and ramp work on Bridal and other streets.

Council President Booker and other members asked DeBerry to send photos and locations of the worst curb cuts so the city can prioritize inspections and repairs. Council members noted the city spends a substantial portion of paving budgets on handicap ramps; one member said about 30% of a paving job's cost goes to ramps. Booker said the council and Director Kotter would provide contact information so DeBerry could report problem locations directly and the city could inspect and, if appropriate, compel homeowners to correct unsafe private sidewalks.

Why it matters: Unsafe curb ramps and damaged sidewalks create daily hazards for people who use wheelchairs and can generate significant repair costs for individuals. City and state standards (cited in testimony) prescribe maximum slopes and transition requirements for ramps; residents and council members said local repair scheduling and funding make a difference for accessibility and independence.

What the council said it will do: Council members encouraged DeBerry to supply photos and locations; Director Kotter said the city will inspect and evaluate reported sites and prioritize them for inclusion in paving or repair schedules. Council members said they will coordinate with inspectors and, where sidewalks are privately owned and unsafe, will notify property owners to make repairs.

Direct transcript details: DeBerry cited ADA guidance in testimony that running slopes must not exceed 8.33% and side slopes are limited to 2%, and described the human and financial toll of repeated wheelchair damage. City officials confirmed repeated ramp installations tied to paving projects, the shared responsibility between homeowners and the city for sidewalks, and the plan to add ramps on streets scheduled for paving.","A 20‑year‑old Bayonne resident testified about dangerous curb ramps and thousands of dollars in wheelchair repairs; councilmembers and the director said the city performs ramp work during paving projects and invited the resident to report specific sites for prioritized inspection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bayonne council adopts series of ordinances, redevelopment measures and names official city bird

Residents press council over dangerous traffic near Costco; officials say plan in place

Wheelchair user urges Bayonne to fix curb cuts and sidewalks; council outlines inspection and ramp program