As Jersey City seeks to become the largest city in NJ, many residents are paying closer attention to the direct impact any new development is having in their neighborhood. Hamilton Park is just one of those in the latest battle with developers. They are rallying members and taking a stand against a deviation proposed by Newport Associates: a request for a major change to the parking ratios in their plan. It comes before the city council at a public hearing this Tuesday, February 23rd.
Newport Associates (better known as LeFrak) worked with the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) in 2001 to agree to 1:1 parking within their plan for the 10th street embankment project (“Revetment Building”). The HPNA recently learned that, without proper notice to the neighborhood as promised in the original plan, LeFrak was requesting to lower the parking to 96 spots for 163 units.
LeFrak sent representatives to the last public meeting the HPNA hosted in an effort to clarify plans and garner community understanding. Residents, though, made it clear that they were not happy nor supportive of these changes. Questions were lobbed left and right: “Have you polled your residents to see who even has a vehicle? Perhaps they are taking advantage of free street parking? Have you done any kind of traffic survey to assess the impact this will have on the neighborhood? Why have you not alerted the neighborhood to this change as promised? What happens when Hamilton Park extends its parking hours?”
When contacted for comment, Kirsten Greene, president of the HPNA said, “It’s not just about parking. We’re rallying people to show up to the meeting and help us set a precedent: Jersey City residents will not stand for developers sneaking in major deviations to their plan at the expense of neighborhoods – and the city must keep their commitments to their residents.”
Newport Associates could not immediately be reached for comment.
Follow the latest developments here.
To voice your opinion on this issue and hear the outcome of the most recent redevelopments in your area, go to the meeting February 23rd – 280 Grove Street (Council Chambers, City Hall, 2nd Floor). Arrive between 5:30 and 6 PM (Meeting starts at 5:30).
