Jersey City Zoning Decisions: August 2026

In August 2026, Jersey City held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 24 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 21 approved (95% approval rate), 1 denied, 2 deferred. Activity was up 41% compared to July (352 activity items across 2 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Variances for 84 Cole Street

Denied.

Application for three C bulk variances for a new four-story, two-family residence at 84 Cole Street in the Harsimus Cove Historic District: height (43 feet 3.5 inches where 40 permitted), building coverage (72.2% where 60% permitted), and rear yard setback (10 feet where 30 required). Applicant Bart Riker Patel, represented by Gene O'Connell, Esq., with architect Jensen Vasil and planner Carolyn Worstell. HPC issued a positive recommendation and certificate of appropriateness (approved). Staff supported the coverage and rear yard variances but opposed the height variance. Commissioner Allen recused himself. Motion to approve failed, with the acting chair casting the sole yes vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Preliminary major site plan with C variances at 714-716 Grand Street

Approved.

Preliminary major site plan for a five-story building with approximately 2,041 sq ft ground-floor retail and 44 dwelling units (6 studios and 5 one-bedrooms per floor) at 714-716 Grand Street (NC1 neighborhood commercial zone, 0.2 acres). No parking required (no curb cut permitted on Grand). Rear yard setback variance (10.7 feet where 15.8 feet / 15% of lot depth required); existing side yard and rear yard nonconformities. Two street trees with monetary contribution in lieu of two additional trees. Unanimous approval; final approval to follow.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Administrative amendment with C variances at 100 Kellogg Street (Bayfront)

Deferred.

First project in the Bayfront redevelopment area, a six-story building with 210 dwelling units, 74 affordable units, and 52 parking spaces, already under construction. Applicant sought approval to use vinyl siding on the interior courtyard facades. The Board rejected the vinyl siding material; applicant adjourned to a date uncertain to return with hardy plank or another permitted material. Board accepted the proposed color scheme.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Preliminary and final major site plan with C variances at 530-548 Tunnelly Avenue

Deferred.

New auto repair shop in the highway commercial zone with eight service bays, second-floor office, and approximately 16 parking spaces (two EV charging stations). Applicant A&B Finance Corp relocating a 37-year family auto repair business from 700 Tunnelly Avenue. Bulk variances sought for rear yard and parking (requirement 33 spaces, providing ~25). Board raised numerous concerns (parking counts, turning templates, stormwater, sanitary holding tank, DOT sewer tie-in, ADA stall, sight distances). Applicant requested to carry the matter to a date uncertain to submit a revised site plan.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Site plan extension at 232-238 Sip Avenue

Approved.

One-year extension of preliminary and final major site plan approval for a project in Zone 4 of the Journal Square 2060 redevelopment plan, extending protection period from May 21, 2026 to May 21, 2027. Approved unanimously (7-0) with all existing conditions from case P2023-0111.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Minor site plan with C variances at 916A and 918 West Side Avenue

Approved.

Eight-unit multifamily building plus one accessory dwelling unit (nine units total) using the affordable housing overlay, with one affordable unit. Single variance to locate bicycle parking (5 spaces) inside cellar storage units rather than an exterior bike rack. Approved 7 in favor, 1 abstain (Councilwoman Little abstained due to late arrival).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Preliminary and final major site plan with C variance and conditional use at 565 Communipaw Avenue

Approved.

New five-story mixed-use building with 21 dwelling units and 1,764 sq ft ground-floor commercial space on an old service station site at the corner of Communipaw Avenue and Madison Avenue (addresses 561, 563, 565). Two affordable units. One C variance for rooftop appurtenance coverage (37% where 20% permitted) and conditional use for ground-floor residential. No parking. Approved unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Preliminary and final major site plan at 130 Central Avenue

Approved.

Existing two-story building (the Musicians Building) at corner of Central and Waverly to be converted, with interior demolished and a third floor added, creating nine residential apartments. One affordable unit via affordable housing overlay. No parking required. No variances. Applicant 130 Central Holdings LLC. Approved unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 24 recorded zoning decisions. See all Jersey City meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• variance: 79 instances
• residential: 56 instances
• zoning: 52 instances
• setback: 48 instances
• commercial: 46 instances

What to Watch

• Variance mentions were up 147% from July.
• Setback came up 140% more often than July.

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