2024 August
HPHA Public Meeting
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church
August 1, 2024
Meeting called to order at 7:35pm
Presentation of June Public Meeting Minutes
6/6/24 HPHA Public Meeting Minutes
One correction noted for the DOC section for 50 Hudson. Minutes approved by unanimous vote of membership present.
Battle of Paulus Hook Budget
Motion to untable Battle of Paulus Hook budget presented at the June public meeting approved. The $1000 will primarily be used to pay for the fifes and drum core.
The Battle of Paulus Hook event budget was approved by a membership of 6 yes votes and one abstention.
Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
HPHA Co-Presidents Stephanie Daniels and Diane Kaese attended a meeting of the Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations. The primary topic of conversation was the proposed construction of an oversized hotel building at 201 Newark Ave and neighborhood associations are coordinating a response to block the developer from being granted a variance without meeting with the community. In addition, there was discussion of the Exchange Place Alliance with Powerhouse Arts District Neighborhood Association (see below).
Development Oversight
- Bell Fuse garage at Van Vorst and Sussex: The proposed design is out of character with the neighborhood. Diane met with the architect to present ideas on how to blend it in better.
- Warren and Sussex: The new construction on the NW corner is being raised to match the height of surrounding buildings.
Discussion of Exchange Place Alliance
- The Exchange Place Alliance is trying to move their boundaries to include all of Paulus Hook as well as parts of the Powerhouse District. HPHA’s concern is that they don’t seek input from the public when embarking on projects. Diane and Stephanie will meet with Councilmen James Solomon and Frank Gilmore to discuss.
- We need to understand the scope of their plans and how it will benefit them. They are able to levy taxes on commercial buildings, but not on residents.
Discussion of Public Safety
An HPHA member brought forward concerns for public safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists in the neighborhood.
- Once concern was lack of pedestrian signals on Jersey St., just south of Grand (to cross from the hospital to the light rail station. It was recommended that he contact Councilmen Solomon and Gilmore as well as the Jersey City Director of Infrastructure, Barkha Patel.
- The street lights on Sussex from Warren to Greene are obstructed by trees. This is a PSEG issue and they should move the lights below the canopy.
- The crosswalk at Montgomery and Washington is problematic for the seniors crossing slowly between 72 Montgomery and 100 Montgomery
- Board president volunteered to make these issues known to the appropriate city departments
Upcoming Events
- National Night Out: August 6, 6-9:30pm, Hamilton Park
- Battle of Paulus Hook: August 19, 6pm, Washington and Dudley
Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm
June 2024
Historic Paulus Hook Association
Public Meeting Minutes
June 6, 2024
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church
Development Oversight Committee Update
- 206 Van Vorst St. (Bel Fuse) - North side of the property is in the historic district, south side (parking lot) is in the redevelopment area.
- 50 Hudson St. - The dirt pile is uncovered and dust is blowing across the property line, which is not in compliance with regulations. Encouraged people to submit complaints on SeeClickFix.
- 85 Morris St. (Bistro La Source) - We have heard conflicting information about whether the design has been sent to historic for approval
- 201 Newark Ave. - This is not in HPHA territory, but the Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations has asked us to cosign a letter that the proposed expansion is not compatible with the historic fabric of the neighborhood.
Event and Recreation Updates
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- Pancake Breakfast - The financial report is not available and will be presented at a later public meeting. Attendance was lower than expected.
- Neighborhood Clean Up, June 1- The cleanup was very successful. There were 32 people in including Councilman James Solomon
- History Tour, May 18 - Approximately 50 parents and children attended. The event generated requests for additional historic stories about Paulus Hook.
- Battle of Paulus Hook, August 19 - Riza Hunger makes a motion for $1000 budget to produce the event, Phil Petruzzuli seconds. Diane Kaese makes a motion to table the vote until the August 1 public meeting, Phil seconds.
- Pickleball - Kevin Williamson reached out to Councilmen Solomon and Frank Gilmore as well the Dept. of Recreation about putting pickleball courts on Washington St. near the Korean War Memorial. Kevin will reach out to the owners of Portside and inform them that we plan to line the streets and add nets and hope to have the courts up permanently.
- Tango on the Pier - The first event will take place on Wednesday, June 19.
No Police Report
Blanca Jackson, P.S. 16 Principal
There are 800 students between both sites and a third site may be in the future. P.S.16 is the top elementary school in Jersey City and in the top 5 statewide. The student teacher ratio is currently 29:1 in the lower grades and the school will be adding new staff members next year to lower the ratio. The school will use multi-purpose areas to add more classrooms.
There was discussion of better enforcement of the no parking regulation, so the buses can safely pick up the kids. Residents of Paulus Hook are guaranteed a spot in the school. The school offers arts and music programs and Spanish is the only language offered at the moment.
Reminder that there is no public meeting in July.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
April 2024 Meeting Minutes
Historic Paulus Hook Association
April 4, 2024 Public Meeting
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church
Meeting called to order at 7:40 by Jonathan Kanterman, President
Presentation by Michael DiCiancia, Sr. Forester, Jersey City Division of Forestry
Michael DiCiancia is the Sr. Forester in the Division of Forestry, which is part of the Department of Public Works. The Division of Forestry is responsible for maintaining Jersey City’s stock of trees, while the Department of Sustainability is responsible for planting new trees, though he provides assistance as the only arborist on the city payroll. In addition, he created a tree protection guide for contractors working in the city.
International Society of Arboriculture standards are used to determine the health of trees and risk of failure. His division completed a tree inventory in 2023, cataloging the species and their risk levels. There are currently 20K trees in Jersey City. He is looking to develop a block grooming schedule and prune existing trees every 5 years.
He recommended that you call if you notice a dead branch or another issue with a tree. His contact information can be found here: https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/dpw/forestry
Presentation by Andrew Fenwick, Jersey City Sustainability Manager
Andrew Fenwick is the Sustainability Manager in the Division of Sustainability, which is part of the Department of Infrastructure. The division’s focus is on planting new trees and clean energy initiatives. In 2023, they planted 435 trees and were awarded $3 million in grant funds to plant new trees, primarily focusing on areas that lack green space.
Residents can apply for the “adopt a tree” program on the Division of Sustainability website. Residents cannot request a specific species and the goal is typically to plant the biggest tree possible given the constraints of our environment and to try to plant native, depending on what is feasible for the site.
Pancake Breakfast Budget
Riza Hunger makes a motion untable the vote for the pancake breakfast budget, which will be $1600 in 2024. Phil Petruzelli 2nds the motion.
Phil makes a motion to vote on the budget, Al Baumol 2nds the motion. Unanimous approval.
New Jersey Council for the Humanities History Grant
Stephanie Daniels and Nirupa Umapathy provide an outline of the purpose of the grant funding, which is to support the planning and development of a history project in Paulus Hook. The first product of the grant will be a walking tour for kids and family on May 18. The hope is to apply for an action grant if the planning is successful. The floor was opened for residents to ask questions about the grant, but no one volunteered, and there was broad support for its objectives.
Meeting adjourns at 9:12pm.
February 2024 Public Meeting Minutes
Public Meeting Minutes, February 1, 2024
Read more