[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6035680,"mediaKeyId","5098600-44a241b563cb2495b49126828999b36d","parentId",5098600,"title","Linden council introduces multiple zoning changes as residents accuse measures of targeting Hasidic community","audioSeconds",2340,"startMs",1140000,"endMs",3480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098600-44a241b563cb2495b49126828999b36d&start=1140&end=3480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098600-44a241b563cb2495b49126828999b36d/thumbnail_1140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6035680/New-Jersey/Linden-council-introduces-multiple-zoning-changes-as-residents-accuse-measures-of-targeting-Hasidic-community","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035680-fa383b72dd8d817def8ad87fd8ac8103/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195154&Signature=VM-DTk2pL3qZiOZiNiGWJkc14rv4mtc8rRoJMoHymFgUWZ7Hp7TsHT2fI5vJ-EbMsHzqK6ONk2N4YBzn0WPeKRHWDtaBuE8fV~5Yb7lND9ngFbqoNP1JaV6O1XBTDFY40fWrSgiag2YQx9wqOwVGy2aYjWDAd6dQll3QRaNDsAmsRccHh3B7HzZYjE48td~mm4fulQw4tfnrK3N6Wqcj~yB6DgvzKCFEgoztze5DUlPrLyQzCUcT7MmHCgRBiWRZfqxRVhEQPimGwsH5mDf~bS6oqVDRCZIdBgmgsPcySaDncX5aA7M3prJqhglK91fTaLw4eCg6DD3DPivHTbyp6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Linden, NJ","date","2025-04-18T21:05:25Z","article","The Linden City Council on April 18 introduced a set of ordinances that would change rules on subcode fees, parking, traffic, residential permit parking and land‑use procedures, prompting sharp criticism from residents who said the proposals appear aimed at limiting growth by the city’s Hasidic Jewish community.

Council members voted to introduce ordinances numbered 69‑22 through 69‑29 on first reading; each motion passed on roll call. The measures ranged from amendments to subcode fees (69‑22) to changes in traffic and parking regulations (69‑25, 69‑26, 69‑27), updates to district regulations (69‑28) and revisions to land‑use procedures (69‑29). Several residents told the council they had not been given adequate time to review the proposals before the special meeting.

Why it matters: Residents said the changes could affect how large families can modify or expand single‑family homes, reduce allowable lot coverage and restrict basement usage — measures some speakers called discriminatory and potentially exclusionary.

Several public commenters who identified themselves as Linden residents said the ordinances were rushed and unevenly applied. Shana Ferhang of 923 Summit Street said, “Some of the ordinances that were proposed during this meeting are veiled antisemitism.” Nathaniel (Nate) Ferling, also of 923 Summit Street, said, “These zoning ordinances ... restrict basement usage. They restrict homeowners from making common sense improvements to their homes and their communities. ... They do smack of restricting Jewish growth.”

Other speakers raised related concerns. Shirley Mandelbaum, 315 West Gibbon Street, said Linden’s zoning had been largely unchanged for decades until recent years and that in the past seven‑plus years there have been multiple zoning changes that she said have made it harder for the Hasidic community to establish roots. Joseph Katz, 34 Harvard, criticized the council’s handling of public access and meeting scheduling and urged officials to respect residents’ rights under the Open Public Meetings Act.

Council members did not debate the substance of the ordinances before voting to introduce them for first reading. At least one council attorney present advised the body not to comment publicly on specifics because of threats of litigation related to the proposed measures.

Residents asked the council to pause and open a broader public forum for discussion prior to final votes. Several requested that full text of the ordinances be posted and time be provided for detailed review and public input before the council advances the measures beyond first reading.

Ending: The ordinances were introduced on first reading and will return for additional readings and formal votes at later meetings; the council set a public hearing schedule for budget and other items but did not set final dates here for each ordinance’s subsequent readings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Linden | Special City Council Meeting April 18 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Linden City Council on April 18 introduced a set of ordinances that would change rules on subcode fees, parking, traffic, residential permit parking and land‑use procedures, prompting sharp criticism from residents who said the proposals appear aimed at limiting growth by the city’s Hasidic Jewish community.","taxTitle","Linden City, Union County, New Jersey","taxId",68962,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035672,"Linden council apologizes for rescheduling after April 15 meeting was shut down for safety reasons",183,139000,322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098600-44a241b563cb2495b49126828999b36d&start=139&end=322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098600-44a241b563cb2495b49126828999b36d/thumbnail_139000.jpg","/articles/6035672/New-Jersey/Linden-council-apologizes-for-rescheduling-after-April-15-meeting-was-shut-down-for-safety-reasons","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035672-716afb94cc3abe6ad26f2b781dd3808b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195154&Signature=Dja2EmkvVB~giaLyNCoGkYKzn~8rlRfI9e-xAOq9B-CpkSYq~5rNNHtVcrjSxJuNtuSlrc8ShYlxY2r6ZcPK~fzt2RixLivhfsSDRcXIcU5DiSjzIL-qi~7IJExyqF5RaTaHmBfrU50qGxV7GJdVbU7F55f0qBFO4~qDYlsnQcrAkZB9kpg9X5DeXYHnQVnt~6Uax6c0xCDnkmS0sPqPeXey0Xxrlp5ifgn3t0UJ51zmCxv5InFZMkcRmNIafNWHqQDhHISj24FOwQsvYd0oQ3xUBrAOU3oaO~htLFf-kgTibdD2WmsN0vQtP4AABUozsfwmQXbJUsG7cEsfSMYHkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Linden City Council opened a special meeting April 18 with an apology to residents for rescheduling the regular April 15 meeting and for holding the special session on a religious holiday.

In a statement read at the start of the April 18 meeting, council members said the April 15 session \"could not proceed due to a serious safety and security concern that put residents at risk.\" The statement said the city’s police and fire officials attended and that the fire chief ordered the meeting shut down after the chamber surpassed safe capacity and some attendees would not comply with instructions to rotate speakers and reduce crowding.

Council members said postponing the meeting was a last resort taken to protect attendees and to avoid disruptions to core services. The statement noted that without immediate action, the city risked interruptions to police and fire protection, garbage collection and the timely pay of city employees, and said state law requires certain budget‑related decisions be made within strict time frames.

Council president moved and council approved a motion to limit the meeting to 2 p.m. in recognition of the religious holiday, and asked counsel to consider an abbreviated schedule out of respect for those observing the holiday. The council also reminded attendees of emergency egress procedures and of sign‑in requirements for the public comment period.

Ending: Officials said they regretted the conflict with religious observance and thanked first responders for their work during the April 15 disruption. The council proceeded with time‑limited business, including budget introduction and votes on routine matters.","Council members apologized for moving the April 15 meeting to April 18 after the earlier session was closed when the fire chief determined the chamber had exceeded safe capacity. Officials said the special meeting was necessary to meet legal deadlines and maintain city services.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6035676,"Votes at a glance: Linden council approves consent agenda, resolutions and introduces multiple ordinances",244,547000,791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5098600-44a241b563cb2495b49126828999b36d&start=547&end=791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5098600-44a241b563cb2495b49126828999b36d/thumbnail_547000.jpg","/articles/6035676/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-Linden-council-approves-consent-agenda-resolutions-and-introduces-multiple-ordinances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035676-3346aeeeff3a67bcb12db9309016ff1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195154&Signature=OD7CU0U4A-F92TRP8UU29-9i0ku8tDO497DvBn34tsW~uIBi1x5IcPOXXHTbPnqzwLeAKi58doovS3hJWEeIRLNqS-Z5JsaInm3PXd6yuIhhpggFK9MRTDfz9ccU3Oi15eIKdlLrkeZyGdra8UDwD2FuFs5EhpjLfmS72unUSb~h27ZWF8Dl9mXvGZ-fz8lyyF32~znDGTb8Mvb9OceBLoqpoIeVlkNa5qQ9~Ujqw8yindBWy3aYoG7zSyYb8nEXgqmvJ23pCshRDikdGJApRG3~w~ijp5cUgPV~yImpz1JVnrwyLR~0gJGMzmfg-jgAjxcDmRH2GqE8N82aLrfXkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Linden City Council on April 18 approved a consent agenda, passed a block of resolutions, introduced the 2025 municipal budget and took routine finance and personnel votes during a special meeting called after a prior session was shut down for safety reasons.

Key outcomes

• Consent agenda: Council approved consent items No. 1 through No. 4 by voice/roll call (motion passed).

• Resolutions: Resolutions numbered 2025‑2‑13 through 2025‑2‑52 were approved on a single motion and roll call.

• Municipal budget: Council introduced the 2025 municipal budget, identifying total expenditures of $138,709,902.73. Council approved the initial budget and tax resolution on April 18, 2025, and set a public hearing on the budget and tax resolution for May 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The budget notice will be published in the Union County local source on May 1, 2025. The council said the average assessed home value of $133,862 produces an annual tax increase of $327.21 (about $27.27 per month), and noted a state‑mandated library portion of the tax rate accounts for $17.71 of the annual increase.

• Finance approvals: Council approved payment of bills totaling $3,943,975.18 and accepted a March investment rate reported at 4.15 percent.

• Personnel: Council approved multiple hiring and promotion items across departments, including appointments in the tax collector’s office, public safety telecommunicator trainees, promotions in public works, and seasonal hiring lists. The personnel motion passed on roll call with one abstention recorded by Councilmember Rivas for the personnel package.

• Ordinances introduced: Council introduced Ordinances 69‑22 through 69‑29 on first reading (see zoning article for details). Each ordinance introduction passed on roll call.

• Meeting process: Council closed the public comment period by motion and adjourned; future meetings were scheduled for May 19 (conference) and May 20 (regular meeting/hearing).

Ending: Most measures in this meeting were routine approvals or first‑reading introductions; several items — notably the introduced ordinances and the municipal budget — will return for public hearings and final votes at upcoming meetings.","At its April 18 special meeting the Linden City Council approved consent items and a block of resolutions, introduced the municipal budget on first reading and advanced several ordinances for later public hearings. The council also approved finance and personnel actions including payment of $3.94 million in bills.","actionData","errors"]

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Linden council introduces multiple zoning changes as residents accuse measures of targeting Hasidic community

Linden council apologizes for rescheduling after April 15 meeting was shut down for safety reasons

Votes at a glance: Linden council approves consent agenda, resolutions and introduces multiple ordinances