Jersey Journal, January 12, 2005

Dear Editor:

It is time to tell the Hoboken Zoning Board and the Roberts Administration: ENOUGH ALREADY! Hoboken, of course, needs another high-rise residential tower, like we all need another hole in our heads. Developers Mark Settembre and Michael Sciarra, leading contributors to Mayor Roberts' campaign organizations, are asking the Zoning Board to approve a 12-story residential tower in an industrial zoning district with 4-story building height limits. This project would block views both to and from the extraordinary Palisades cliffs. Approval for this project will also set a dangerous precedent, extending the boundaries for high-rise projects and granting residential uses in industrial zones. Past decisions by the Zoning Board have shown a blatant disregard for the limits imposed by Hoboken Zoning Ordinance. At the completion of the hearing on the application Wednesday night, the public will have an opportunity to voice their opinion on this project -- we encourage you all to do so.

Many organizations from Hoboken, Jersey City and Union City are opposed to this project. The Fund for a Better Waterfront, Hudson County Alliance, People for Open Government, Quality of Life Coalition, Residents for Responsible Development and Riverview Neighborhood Association hired an urban planner to testify in opposition to this development. Hoboken resident Leah Healey has hired attorney Jon Drill of Stickel Koenig & Sullivan to represent objectors at the Zoning Board hearings. Hoboken Parks Project took out a full page ad in this weekend's Hoboken Reporter urging people to support the Hoboken Master Plan's proposal to utilize this land at the base of the Palisades for a greenway and active recreation uses, not more high-rises. The residents of the Doric Apartments in Union City have organized a meeting for tonight to mobilize opposition to this project.

Last Spring, after dramatic demonstrations in front of Hoboken City Hall and at the top of the Palisades cliffs, these same groups successfully fought the proposal for a massive high rise project just south of this one, at 800 Jackson Street. Hoboken Mayor David Roberts, however, has frustrated efforts by these groups plus the Mayor's Open Space Committee to work with him on these important issues. Members of the Roberts administration continue to work with developers in moving their projects forward despite conflicts with the Hoboken Master Plan and the Hoboken Zoning Ordinance.

Your voice & your presence at the January 12th hearing are two of the most effective means of reversing the politically misguided efforts to over-develop Hoboken and turn a charming, human-scale community built at the turn of the last century into a transient, over-priced town surrounded by high-rise towers.

Ron Hine, FBW; Becky Hoffman, HCA and Monya McCarty, RNA
Hoboken/Jersey City