The 47-story residential tower project on Long Slip, poised to be a prominent addition to the Jersey City skyline, garnered attention at the meeting. The proposed construction includes 529 residential units, ground-level retail space, and amenity spaces such as a gym, office area, and a green roof. An interim surface parking plan is set to precede a future phase of parking development. The project’s civil plans, presented by the professional engineer, highlighted compliance with stormwater control ordinances and green area ratio standards, despite requiring waivers for tree spacing and lighting plan technicalities.

A major talking point was the project’s location at the northeast corner of Newport, an area that is rapidly developing, adjacent to the Hoboken train station, and along the Hudson River Waterfront walkway. The plan’s detailed layout includes a residential lobby, package room, mail room, trash compactor room, and utility rooms, along with the retail space. The presentation also outlined the subdivision of the existing lot to create new lots for the project’s development.

Another highlight of the meeting was the approval of a retail cannabis dispensary at the Bank of America building on Bergen Avenue. The applicant outlined plans for a secure vestibule, product display kiosks, checkout areas, and a vault, along with renovations to the building’s exterior. Board members’ questions centered on the store’s size, signage, and customer flow. The board approved the application conditional on compliance with stipulations in a historic memo, signaling Jersey City’s engagement with the burgeoning cannabis retail industry.

Additionally, a new four-story residential building on Tunnell Avenue was discussed, with plans to construct seven residential units. The project called for a variance due to the building’s depth above the ground floor, which extended beyond the limit set by the Redevelopment Plan. The board reviewed the application and, following a deliberation on the proposed setback and its neighborhood impact, approved the minor subdivision and final major site plan.

The meeting also touched on the development of a seven-story, 30-unit building at 549-551 Pavonia Avenue within the Journal Square Redevelopment area. The project aims to preserve the facade of an existing historic building while adding a new structure around it. The board engaged in a debate over the use of red brick for the new construction, which concluded with the project’s approval and the developer being commended for maintaining the historic integrity of the site.

Furthermore, the planning board addressed a minor site plan for a property on Palisade Avenue, involving the demolition of a two-story structure and the construction of a four-story building with four dwelling units. Features such as green roof trays, balconies, and a roof deck were presented by the applicant’s architect. After public comments and board discussion, the application was approved.

The meeting also saw the tabling of two items to the July 23rd meeting, including a major site plan for PSNG at 675 to 695 Grand Street and the Fiet Broadway Redevelopment plan. Additionally, there was a rescheduling of a discussion for a property on Liberty Avenue to address public confusion about different versions of the application available online.

A complaint from the public about the accuracy of plan dates was acknowledged, leading to an agreement to deactivate outdated plans from the online portal to avoid confusion. The board confirmed that the most recent plans, dated 12/1/2023, would be uploaded for public access.

Preliminary plans for two 25-story towers on Summit Avenue were presented, delineating a project that includes 709 housing units, ground floor retail, and parking. The developers sought preliminary approval to safeguard against zoning changes, with a request for an extension beyond the standard three years due to the current tenant’s lease situation.