Borough Council to Consider East Nassau Zoning Change

A proposal to change zoning along a stretch of East Nassau Street is moving forward and a draft ordinance may soon come before Borough Council.  

Owners of properties in the Service Business zone between Olden Street and Murray Place hope officials will rezone eight properties to allow the same types of uses that are allowed in the Neighborhood Business zone, which covers the other side of Nassau Street.

The area was formerly known as “Gasoline Alley,” and housed car dealerships and auto repair shops.

Borough Planning Director Lee Solow on Tuesday showed council a draft ordinance for discussion during a workshop session before Borough Council. The proposed ordinance would allow banks and restaurants up to 5,000 square feet.

Council members were not immediately receptive to welcoming banks.

“In this area where we’re trying to create a lively area, having a bank that’s 5,000 feet seems counterproductive,” Council President Barbara Trelsdad said.

“There is no socially justifiable reason for a bank in that area, Council Member Roger Martindell said. “Why do we need another bank? What does it do for the community?”

But residents and property owners alike seemed receptive to the idea of a bank, especially at the reduced size.

Jack Morrison, president of Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company said he uses five different banks and thinks banks are community-focused.

“Frankly, I would like to see a bank across the street,” he said. “Mix is what I think that neighborhood has always been about.”

The proposed zoning changes would affect the Carnevale property at 255 Nassau Street (formerly Davidsons and Wild Oats).

Linda Fahmie, development manager representing the Carnevale property, said she’s been working on leasing the property for more than two years, but it’s hard to attract a business to a location that’s not in the central business district.

“I have marketed to every type of apparel company and food company,” Fahmie said. “Now there's a plan…and a bank is part of that.”

The plan includes three retail tenants on the first floor, including a bank. Fahmie said decisions have been made on two of the tenants, but leases have not yet been signed. The building’s second floor would be offices and a zoning change may allow dental and medical offices, Fahmie said. Each floor in the building has 10,500 square feet.

Borough Council members asked Solow to consider inserting language into the draft ordinance that would mandate a separation between banks in the zone to prevent a “monolithic wall of banks.”

Other neighborhood improvements might include better parking, outdoor tables, rearranged benches and small kiosks to create pedestrian-friendly areas.