At first, when walking along Storms Avenue between Monticello Avenue and Howard Place near McGinley Square in Jersey City, it appears that the street is like any other residential street in the neighborhood, with houses, apartment buildings, and a church lining the block. However, tucked away behind a row of homes is a structure somewhat out of the ordinary. Situated at the end of a driveway in the middle of the block at 78 Storms Avenue, a warehouse can currently be found, but possibly not for much longer.
The property where the roughly 12,000-square-foot facility stands was acquired for $1.8 million last year by a company called VRAJ Columbia, LLC. The firm, which is registered out of a house in Paramus, is now planning to replace the warehouse with a six-story multi-family building.
The proposed development is slated to tower 66 feet over the neighborhood and include 35 residential units, according to a legal notice. Although 36 spaces would be provided on the property for bicycle parking, only 19 spots would be included for cars.
A community meeting regarding the project was held last month at the Church of Incarnation, according to a Facebook event listing, which includes a rendering of the project. The listing mentions that 20 of the units are expected to include two bedrooms while 10 are slated to contain one bedroom. Studios would make up the remaining five units.
The next meeting regarding the proposed development is the one that could decide whether or not the plans are able to move forward. Since VRAJ Columbia, LLC has applied for Preliminary and Final Site Plan approval with variances ranging from use to height, the Jersey City Zoning Board of Adjustment will vote on the matter. The board is scheduled to hear the application during its meeting on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Note to readers: The dates that applications are scheduled to be heard by the Jersey City Zoning Board of Adjustment and other commissions are subject to change.
