The Jersey City Municipal Council tabled ordinance 25‑086, a set of amendments to the Journal Square 2060 redevelopment plan, after a lengthy public hearing that drew developers, nearby property owners and dozens of residents.

What the ordinance would do: The amendment, described by the city as part of a broader Journal Square 2060 update, would remap several parcels and adjust parking and affordable‑housing provisions in portions of the redevelopment area. One landowner’s attorney told the council the request would remap Lots 15 and 49 in Block 7903 (and an adjacent Lot 16, with the owner’s consent) from Zone 4 to Zone 3 so the parcels would be zone‑consistent with adjacent Homestead Place development and more buildable as a single, nearly rectangular lot.

Public concerns: Dozens of residents, neighborhood activists and local business owners testified. Opponents said the amendments create incentives for high‑rise construction outside the Journal Square core, risk gentrifying surrounding neighborhoods, and could harm rent‑controlled housing. Natalie Limon, a neighborhood resident who said she helped organize residents, asked the council to “vote no on this or at least consider having more conversations,” warning that bonuses tied to affordable housing could accelerate demographic change and raise area median income, which in turn can reduce the effective affordability of bonus units.

Local business and cultural concerns: A separate, closely watched dispute involved the Puccini’s/Ercolano’s site adjacent to the proposed changes. Residents said Ercolano’s deli and the Puccini banquet property are vital community spaces and argued the amendment could lead to demolition despite earlier promises. Several speakers demanded a binding commitment that the deli will receive comparable replacement space. The developer’s counsel said a favorable lease had been negotiated and characterized the lease as “very, very favorable” though it remained unsigned pending minor attorney edits; he also said preservation requirements in the redevelopment plan protect the historic structure.

Planning and council comments: City planning and the planning board had reviewed the amendment; the planning department did not support additional remapping that some speakers requested. Council members and staff said planning had recommended limited changes and that other remapping proposals raised “substantial changes” that would require returning to planning and additional public review.

Council action: After public comment the council debated whether to adopt the amendment or send it back for further study. Councilmember Rivera moved to table the ordinance so staff and planning could address parcels some residents said were omitted from the amendment plan. The motion to table passed 6‑3. Recorded votes in favor were Councilpersons Ridley, Solomon, Gilmore, DeGees, Rivera and Council President Waterman. Councilpersons Hulings, Bogiano and Soleil voted no. Council members said tabling was intended to allow planning staff and the community to resume discussions quickly rather than delay the entire plan for months.

Why it matters: Journal Square is one of Jersey City’s largest redevelopment districts. Changes to zoning, parking ratios and affordable‑housing incentives in the plan affect the character of near‑downtown neighborhoods, the scale of new construction and how the city meets its state prefatory housing obligations. Opponents argued the package privileges developer bonuses over protections for existing rent‑controlled homes and long‑standing neighborhood businesses; proponents said the amendments will facilitate more housing and public‑realm improvements.

Next steps: Council members said they plan to reconvene with planning staff immediately and expect to return revised language to the council. Because the motion was to table rather than reject, the amendment can be revised and brought back to a future meeting.