Second Public Hearing on Master Plan Final Drafts
June 20th, 2018
The Planning Board will hold a second public hearing to consider the finalized 2018 Hoboken Master Plan Reexamination Report and 2018 Land Use Element at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 25 at the Multi-Service Center, located at 124 Grand Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030.
The City of Hoboken would like to thank all of the residents and stakeholders that came out to the June 11 Public Hearing of the Planning Board to voice their comments on the draft 2018 Master Plan Reexamination Report and draft 2018 Land Use Element. BFJ Planning, the City’s Planning Consultant on this project, gave a detailed presentation describing the nearly year-long planning process and major components of each plan. Immediately following this presentation, meeting attendees lined up to offer their comments.
Following the June 11 public hearing, the draft plans have been updated and revised and are available for public review here: http://masterplan-cityofhoboken.opendata.arcgis.com. Revisions to the plans since the June 11th public hearing are highlighted throughout the documents so that changes are easy to locate.
At the June 25th public hearing, the Planning Board will present a summary of the changes that were made to the Draft Plans. Meeting attendees will then be invited to offer comments on those changes.
Mayor Bhalla Recognizes 2018 Hoboken Green Businesses
June 19th, 2018
At the 7th Annual Green Fair Mayor Bhalla recognized the following businesses as 2018 Hoboken Green Businesses:
- Aether Game Café
- Avocado Green Mattress
- Bareburger of Hoboken
- Carpathian Industries
- Choc O Pain French Bakery & Café of Hoboken
- Christina Andersen Floral Design
- Hoby Dogy Pet Care
- Little City Books
- Mint Market
- My Conscience, My Choice LLC
- Nurturing Life Acupuncture & Wellness PA
- Organic Basic Food LLC
- Pilsener Haus & Biergarten
- Simply Juiced
- Smushed Organics
- Sobsey’s Produce (soon to be Ma’s Gourmet Market)
- Sports Acupuncture & Family Wellness
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- The Little Grocery Uptown
- Urban Consign & Design
“As we all know, environmental protection is key to Hoboken’s protection from the effects of climate change,” said Bhalla. “I’m proud of each one of these businesses for doing their part to ensure Hoboken’s future.”
The Hoboken Green Team launched the Green Business Recognition Program in 2017 to distinguish local businesses that are advancing sustainability and environmental responsibility. In order to qualify for the Green Business Recognition Program, 25 businesses completed the Green Business Pledge on the Hoboken Green Team website. The Hoboken Green Team reviewed each pledge submission and determined that 20 businesses qualify for recognition as 2018 Hoboken Green Businesses.
To learn more about these Green Businesses, visit http://hobokennj.gov/greenteam/greenbusinesses/.
Mayor Bhalla (bottom left) and Councilman Jim Doyle (top left) with representatives of some of the 2018 Green Businesses.
For more information about the Hoboken Green Business Recognition Program, please visit www.hobokennj.gov/greenteam, follow the Green Team on Facebook @HobokenGreenTeam and on Instagram @Hoboken_Green.
Hoboken Green Team to Host 7th Annual Green Fair on Saturday
June 14th, 2018
Mayor Bhalla Announces Public Hearing on Union Dry Dock
June 14th, 2018
Hoboken Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla announced Thursday that the Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 18 from 6-9 p.m. in the DeBaun Auditorium at Stevens Institute (24 5th Street). The hearing is a chance for the public to express their views on New York Waterway’s permit application to turn the Union Dry Dock property into a diesel depot.
“For months, we’ve been asking for a chance for Hoboken residents to express their concerns at a time and location convenient for them,” said Bhalla. “Finally, our request has been granted. I now encourage everyone to come out and let your voice be heard. Don’t let New York Waterway silence you.”
Everyone will be given an opportunity to express their views, and any person may speak on their own behalf or be represented by someone else. Each speaker will be limited to three minutes, but lengthier testimonies may be submitted in writing.
The hearing will be reported verbatim, and a transcript will be available to the public at the end of the comment period. The notice of the public hearing can be found here.
City of Hoboken Seeking Input from Dog Owners
June 12th, 2018
Southwest Resiliency Park Given Award for Innovation and Sustainability
June 12th, 2018
The City of Hoboken has been awarded for its resiliency efforts by the US Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter in a ceremony last month. City Planner Chris Brown (pictured below with Jessica Ford of USGBC NJ) accepted the Innovation and Sustainability Best Practices Award, which recognized the role of Southwest Resiliency Park and its impact on Hoboken.
“I am extremely proud of the great work our city planners and contractors are doing to protect our city from natural disasters,” said Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “This award is a testament to the years of work they’ve put in since Hurricane Sandy and the tangible impact their designs are already having on our city.”
The park had replaced a one-acre impervious parking lot and serves as a storm water retention system. According to a report from North Hudson Sewage Authority, the park is successfully capturing heavy rainfalls and is paying dividends in the form of flood damage mitigation.
The awards recognize companies and individuals that demonstrate outstanding achievement in green building and sustainability. The City of Hoboken was recognized with this award alongside Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects & Planners, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Dagher Engineering, and Suburban Consulting Engineers.
Southwest Resiliency Park is one of several sustainability efforts Hoboken has implemented in recent years. Learn more about work being done by Hoboken’s Green Team here.
Hoboken Announces Inaugural Waterfront Arts Gala
June 6th, 2018
Mayor Bhalla on Wednesday announced Hoboken’s inaugural Waterfront Arts Gala to benefit the City’s Cultural Affairs trust and support the arts community in Hoboken. The Gala will take place on Monday, June 25 from 7-9 p.m. along the waterfront walkway on Sinatra Drive between 11th and 12th Streets.
- Anthony Davids
- Del Frisco’s Grille
- GFG Bakery Café
- Halifax
- Inserra Shop Rite
- Karma Kafe
- Leo’s Grandevous
- Zafra
- Giannone Wine & Liquor
- Alex Morales Atelier and Art Gallery
- Barsky Gallery
- Field Colony
- hob’art cooperative gallery
- Issyra Gallery
- PROTO Gallery
- Roig Gallery
Mayor Bhalla Proposes Plastic Bag Ban and Rent Control Reforms
June 6th, 2018
Hoboken Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla is advocating strongly for two key ordinances being introduced at the City Council meeting on Wednesday.
The first is a city-wide ban on single-use plastic bags. Bhalla had worked on the ordinance as a council member alongside Councilman Jim Doyle. The ordinance is now sponsored by Doyle and Councilman Michael Russo.
“Single-use plastic bags are incredibly wasteful and destructive to our community and the environment,” said Bhalla. “The US wastes hundreds of billions of these bags every year. This ban is a reasonable way we as Hobokenites can do our part to cut down on litter and pollution.”
On average, an individual uses 500 single-use plastic bags each year.
If passed, the ordinance would ban retailers from bagging groceries and goods into single-use plastic bags, though plastic bags protecting produce, meat products, and newspapers would still be allowed. The ordinance would also apply a minimum fee of ten cents per paper bag used. In addition, retailers would be required to sell reusable bags for customers to be able to purchase if they wish.
The second measure is an amendment to Hoboken’s Rent Control Ordinance that would close a major loophole being abused by landlords to raise tenant rents by hundreds of dollars. The loophole permitting this unconscionable practice is the ability to apply for a property tax surcharge using 1988 as the base year. The amendment will change the base year to 2014, minimizing the possible surcharge increase for renters, and also prohibit any surcharge from being implemented in the middle of a term of a lease.
“I have had tenants with tears in their eyes, in fear of displacement, handing me property tax surcharge calculations that will make living in Hoboken unaffordable,” said Bhalla. “The purpose of rent control is to protect tenants. Period. I urge the City Council to advance this purpose by closing this loophole without further delays.”
The ordinances will go through first readings on Wednesday, June 6. The second readings for potential passage of the ordinances are scheduled for Wednesday, June 20.
Mayor Bhalla Responds to Polling Place Issues
June 5th, 2018
Hoboken Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla was alerted to irregularities at multiple polling place locations throughout the City this morning and immediately contacted the Hudson County Board of Elections to remedy the situation. The Board of Elections informed the Mayor that any residents who were not able to vote at their normal location can cast a provisional ballot at any other location.
“It was disappointing to learn that so many issues arose on a routine primary election,” said Bhalla, “but I appreciate residents who wasted no time in bringing this to my attention and the Board for being responsive. The ability to vote in a free and fair election is of paramount importance in a democracy.”
One example, according to the Board, is the Sky Club polling location (700 1st St.), which opened three hours late at approximately 9 a.m. due to machine malfunctions.
If a voter does choose to cast a provisional ballot, they are advised, as a precaution, to submit their name to the Board so their vote can be flagged to ensure it is counted correctly. The Board can be reached at (201) 369-3435 or at countyclerk@hcnj.us.
The Board should also be contacted for specific questions regarding which locations were affected and any other potential remedies. The Board, which oversees elections, informed the City they are exploring all remedies for disenfranchised voters.
