The Bayonne Municipal Council on Oct. 15 moved several redevelopment items forward and approved the introduction of a financial agreement for a downtown redevelopment project while also authorizing a developer-funded traffic signal. Council members scheduled final hearings for multiple ordinances and agreements on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in Dorothy Harrington Council Chambers.

Why it matters: The items affect development, tax revenues and traffic safety in key redevelopment zones and include a contested 25-year tax-abatement (pilot) agreement that generated debate over housing affordability and the structure of pilot agreements.

What the council advanced

- Chauncey 5 / O10 (financial agreement; introduction and scheduling): The council moved to introduce an ordinance approving a 25-year financial agreement with Chauncey 5 Urban Renewal LLC for property at 562–568 Broadway (Block 18084, Lots 1–3) and set Nov. 12 for public hearing and final passage. Director Schellander described the project as a nine-story residential building with a pocket park; the developer is providing a $110,000 contribution toward the park. The introduction drew debate over affordability and pilot length.

Director Schellander described the proposed pilot schedule as follows: 25-year pilot with years 1–15 paying 10% (of the payment-in-lieu or formula described to council), years 16–25 at 11% as a base, and a tax phase-in schedule that starts at 0% for years 1–15, 20% for years 16–18, 40% in year 19, 60% in year 20 and 80% for years 21–25. The director also said the pilot includes a mechanism that increases payment if rental income grows beyond agreed thresholds.

Votes on O10 (introduction and scheduling): Councilman Booker — Aye; Councilman Carroll — No; Councilman Perez — Aye; Councilwoman Weimer — Aye; Councilman LaPalouse — Aye. The ordinance was introduced and will be heard on Nov. 12.

Council members pressed for workforce housing elements and for mechanisms that share pilot benefits with the school district; Councilman Carroll voted no and argued pilots shift long-term tax burdens onto other taxpayers. Other members said the pilot can be necessary to finance projects and a longer phase-in can be needed to attract lenders.

- Bayview / Avenue Way traffic signal (R4): The council authorized preparation of a cost-sharing agreement for a traffic signal at the Bayview/JV Avenue Way area. The administration said multiple developers will share the $1,300,000 cost; Bayview will front the work and receive pro rata reimbursements from other identified developers based on traffic generation. Council approved the resolution; votes were unanimous on that item.

- Redevelopment designations and hearings (R2, R3, O5 and others): The council voted to authorize planning-board preliminary investigations and to fix Nov. 12 as the time and place for hearings on several redevelopment and redevelopment-amendment items, including a redevelopment plan for 626–628 Avenue E (the Bernard Electric warehouse site, described to the council as five stories with about 20 units and a park component) and an amended plan for the Bayonne Harbor/Peninsula at Bay East. One amendment extended a construction commencement deadline from Dec. 31, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028.

Why some council members opposed or raised concerns: Several council members expressed concern that long pilot agreements provide little immediate affordability and shift tax increases away from some developments. Councilman Carroll and others urged consideration of sharing pilot revenue with the school district or building more workforce housing into deals. Supporters said lengthy pilots can be necessary to secure bank financing and move redevelopment on formerly underused parcels.

Other details: The council packet referenced NW Financial and an anticipated briefing by Dan Banker on the Chauncey 5 project. The administration described design changes made with local planners and trade-offs negotiated to achieve a non-cookie-cutter building and park amenity.

Ending: Several redevelopment items were introduced or scheduled for final action on Nov. 12; council members asked for additional negotiations on workforce housing and school-district revenue participation, and the council approved developer-funded infrastructure work intended to serve multiple nearby projects.