The application for the Bergen Avenue property prompted a substantial debate on the potential consequences for the surrounding area, including the nearby St. George Coptic Orthodox Church. Residents and church representatives voiced their apprehensions regarding the building’s size, the strain on parking and traffic, and the disruption to the church’s operations. Father Thomas Nash specifically cited concerns about increased traffic congestion during peak hours and the subsequent accessibility challenges for the church community. Moreover, members of the public raised issues about the potential displacement of existing residents and the adverse effects on local infrastructure.

Despite the public opposition, the board’s approval of the project underscores the city’s ongoing development trajectory. The discussion included extensive presentations by the applicant’s expert witnesses detailing the project’s civil engineering plans, stormwater management, and streetscape improvements, with a particular focus on the green roof system and rehabilitation of the site’s frontage. Additionally, the board addressed safety concerns regarding the building’s design, particularly the glass railing on the rooftop and compliance with OSHA standards.

The meeting also encompassed other topics, such as the designation of 10 lots as an area in need of redevelopment. Caroline Ryder, representing T&M Associates, provided a report outlining the criteria for such a designation, including dilapidation and obsolescence. The board members discussed the process of condemnation, its impact on property owners, and ultimately accepted Ryder as an expert in the field. Following public input and discussion, the board recommended excluding four properties from the redevelopment designation due to their smart growth-related criterion and imminent renovation.

Another subject was the debate around the potential inclusion of certain properties, including 391 First Street and Wayne Street, into a redevelopment plan. The board deliberated on whether these properties met the necessary criteria, particularly focusing on Criterion H, which pertains to the smart growth planning principles. The motion to approve the redevelopment study and preliminary investigation report, excluding 391 First Street, was passed.

In addition to the controversial Bergen Avenue project, the board reviewed a minor site plan application for a new four-story, four-unit building on Palisade Avenue. The applicants presented the project as fully compliant with zoning regulations, without requiring any deviations or variances. Public comments raised concerns about the impact of construction on adjacent properties, but the board ultimately approved the application, emphasizing the need to mitigate any negative effects on the neighborhood.

The proposed project on Van Ripen Avenue also came under examination. The plan for a new four-story mixed-use building sought variances for building depth, ground floor ceiling height, and bulkhead height. The project architect and planner justified the variances, arguing the building would meet the goals of the area’s redevelopment plan. After detailed board inquiries, the proposal was received without significant opposition.