Lavarro's New Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Didn't Make It Onto The City Council Agenda

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The conversation about affordable housing continues in Jersey City — but it was significantly shorter during Thursday night's meeting as the City Council defeated a motion to add to the agenda, a new Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance resolution.

The resolution was proposed by Councilman At-Large Rolando Lavarro. The resolution revised the city's old IZO to include 20 percent affordable housing in all new developments, with no loopholes or trade-offs for developers. Lavarro and Ward E Councilman James Solomon were the only two council members to vote against the city's original IZO, which was recently struck down in court last month.

At Thursday's meeting, only Lavarro, Solomon and Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey voted in favor of adding the resolution to the night's agenda. The resolution was supposed to be on last month's council agenda as well, but Lavarro pulled the resolution to talk it over with Mayor Steven Fulop and his administration. Lavarro said the resolution was on the August 18 agenda and was added 10 days before Thursday night's meeting, although it was not on Tuesday night's caucus agenda.

Council President Joyce Watterman, among the members who voted against the resolutions' addition to the agenda, said the IZO needed to be reviewed by the Fair Share Housing Center. Several other council members — including Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano, and Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh — voted against the resolution's addition on grounds that they thought it was a late agenda item and wanted to meet with the relevant stakeholders.

Several residents commented on affordable housing in Jersey City during the public speak portion of the meeting, many maintaining that the city wasn't doing enough to promote equal affordable housing.

"We can’t count on developers to do what’s best for the city and what’s best for the residents of Jersey City and that’s why we need a resolution or ordinance with teeth," said Elise Nussbaum.