Sponsor: Councilwoman CASTELLANO Second: Councilman OCCHIPINTI
CITY OF HOBOKEN RESOLUTION NO. __________
RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE INTENT OF THE HOBOKEN MASTER PLAN REGARDING THE MUNICIPAL GARAGE SITE, AND REJECTING ITS PROPOSED USE AS A 24/7 IMPOUND YARD WHEREAS, Block 1 of the official City of Hoboken tax map is home to approximately 150 residents in 73 condominium units, in addition to the Municipal Garage property; and WHEREAS, a redevelopment proposal is being discussed to add additional residential units on the site of a surface parking lot on Block 1, Lots 11-14, potentially adding several more apartments and residents directly adjoining the Municipal Garage; and WHEREAS, several hundred additional residential units have been built within two blocks of the existing Municipal Garage, adding to the area’s residential nature, including the Jefferson Trust condos, 77 Park apartments and most recently the condominiums at 89 Willow; and WHEREAS, the Hoboken Master Plan clearly recognizes the area’s successful renaissance as a residential neighborhood, which is made especially attractive by its close proximity to the myriad public transportation options at Hoboken Terminal in sync with the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Transit Village Initiative; and WHEREAS, Item 6 on page 69 of the Hoboken Master Plan entitled “Relocate the existing City Garage” states, “The facility’s location along Observer Highway between Park and Willow Avenues is no longer appropriate for what is essentially an industrial use, with truck traffic and repair among other functions. Moving the garage to a larger site in the northwest corner of the city would allow for more efficient operations in an appropriate location, while enabling the City to reuse or sell the property upon which it is currently located”; and WHEREAS, proposals to add additional industrial uses and traffic to the Municipal Garage runs contrary to the stated goals of the Hoboken Master Plan adopted by the Planning Board and City Council of the City of Hoboken; and WHEREAS, bid specifications prepared by the administration state the Parking and Transportation Department and Police Department requested a combined average of
up to three thousand five hundred (3,500) vehicle tows per year, and that these tows have historically been taken to a non-residential area in the city’s far northwest corner; and WHEREAS, vehicles towed without the owners consent often sound loud antitheft alarms while being towed, tow trucks are often equipped with noisy diesel engines and loud reverse gear transmission warning devices, and operate towing devices with the use of chains that are very loud when crashing against the metal of a tow truck during normal operation of the release of a towed vehicle; and WHEREAS, towing and impounding of vehicles is an activity that often takes place at all hours of the night, when residents reasonably expect peaceable sleep, and the administration has put out bid specifications for towing services that specifically note the 24/7 aspect of said towing and impound services; and WHEREAS, relocating impound lot activities from the industrial far northwest of the City to the residential southern section would be contrary to the health, safety and welfare of its residents and severely impact the quality of life of several hundred taxpaying citizens through activities that are clearly in conflict with the stated goals of the Hoboken Master Plan. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hoboken reaffirms the Master Plan statement that the Municipal Garage location along Observer Highway between Park and Willow Avenues is no longer appropriate for what is essentially an industrial use; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administration is advised of the City Council’s intent to reject proposals to establish additional industrial uses at the Municipal Garage including -- but not limited to -- towing and impound yard activities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution shall be provided to Mayor Dawn Zimmer for action in accordance therewith and to take any other actions necessary to complete and realize the intent and purpose of this resolution; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall take effect immediately. Meeting Date: March 16, 2011
Reviewed:
Approved As to Form:
_________________________ Arch Liston Business Administrator
______________________________ Mark Tabakin, Esq. Corporation Counsel