The Bayonne Planning Board voted to accept and forward several non‑condemnation “area in need of redevelopment” studies to the city council after presentations by the planning consultants. The board approved four separate study reports, each recommending that the council designate the study area as a non‑condemnation area in need of redevelopment under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL).

The board considered studies prepared by planning consultants and municipal professionals for the following properties: Block 32, Lots 10–12 (1191–1199 John F. Kennedy Boulevard; the former Lukoil station); Block 449, Lots 6 and 7.01 (81–87 East 20 Second Street, the site of a former auto repair operation); Block 208, Lots 1.014 and 35 (510–514 Avenue A and nearby parcels); and Block 98, Lots 13–15 (47 East 40 First Street and adjacent Avenue E properties). Each report summarized the LRHL criteria and concluded the study area met one or more statutory criteria for designation.

Nathan Foote of CME Associates presented the Block 32 study (JFK Boulevard). Foote said the three‑lot study area, about 12,500 square feet with a roughly 7,500‑square‑foot corner lot, is vacant, shows pavement in disrepair and is identified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) as a known contaminated site under active Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) oversight because of prior gas‑station uses. Foote concluded the site met LRHL criteria D (obsolete layout and design) and H (smart‑growth consistency), stating that the environmental constraints and condition of the paved areas hamper private redevelopment.

Lindsay Knight of the Neglia Group presented three separate studies (Block 449; Block 208; Block 98) and described each study area’s condition, zoning (most in R‑2 or transit overlay districts), and conformity with the master plan’s emphasis on infill and transit‑oriented redevelopment. Knight’s presentations explained how the consultant applied LRHL criteria — abandonment/discontinuance of use, dilapidation, excessive impervious coverage and smart‑growth planning area designation — and concluded that the study areas met the statutory thresholds for designation as non‑condemnation redevelopment areas.

Board members asked routine clarifying questions. No members of the public offered substantive objections during the hearings on the studies. For each study the board moved, seconded and recorded roll‑call votes in favor of forwarding the studies and maps to city council for its statutory designation decision. The board’s approvals will send the reports to council, which has authority under the LRHL to formally designate an area in need of redevelopment (with or without condemnation).

The studies’ findings: Block 32 (1191–1199 JFK Boulevard) — vacant former gas station removed between 2021 and 2022, significant pavement degradation, NJDEP‑listed contamination, study area of 12,500 sq ft; met criteria D and H. Block 449 (81–87 East 20 Second Street) — two lots with excessive impervious cover and obsolete layout, located within transit overlay and PA‑1 smart‑growth planning area; met criteria D and H. Block 208 (510–514 Avenue A and related parcels) — vacant former auto repair site with demolition between 2017 and 2022, over 70% impervious coverage and evidence of discontinuance; consultant applied criteria B, D and H. Block 98 (47 East 40 First Street and adjacent lots) — multiple small parcels with excessive impervious coverage, poor maintenance and layout issues inconsistent with modern standards; consultant applied criteria A, D and H and recommended use of section‑3 (cohesive study area) designation where appropriate.

The board voted to forward each study to the city council by roll call; minutes show unanimous or near‑unanimous ayes on each motion. Forwarding the reports to council starts the next statutory step: council may decide to adopt an ordinance designating the area, which would allow the municipality to adopt a redevelopment plan and pursue rehabilitation or redevelopment strategies. Because these were non‑condemnation studies, members and consultants repeatedly noted that forwarding the study does not itself strip owners of property rights — it only starts the designation process and potential plan creation.

The approvals will let staff and council consider redevelopment plans or alternative private redevelopment under existing rules. Where environmental constraints (e.g., the JFK Boulevard site) exist, remediation and LSRP oversight will be required for redevelopment.