Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Abatements Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances review of large affordable-housing tax abatement as residents raise safety and maintenance concerns
Summary
Council discussed a city request to advance a 30-year tax abatement for New Community Homes' 120-unit affordable project; council members praised developer accountability, while a public commenter said safety problems persist in New Community properties and urged residents to testify at the hearing.
The Newark Municipal Council discussed a proposed 30-year tax abatement for New Community Homes Development LP on Sept. 30, a project described by city staff as a four-story, 120-unit affordable housing building with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units and multiple affordability targets.
City staff and several council members praised the developer's recent work to address outstanding code and maintenance issues in existing properties and said the project will add 100% affordable housing to the Central Ward. Councilwoman Scott Rountree and other members said they have monitored abatement-related corrections and welcomed continuing maintenance and resident engagement.
During the public-comment period, George Tillman Jr., who identified himself at the podium, directly disputed that characterization and said problems persist at New Community properties. "Someone in my family died as a result of those pull cords," Tillman said, referring to emergency pull-cord systems in one neighborhood. He said the issue has persisted for six years, that not all pull cords are fixed and that social services were insufficient. Tillman urged residents to appear at the forthcoming hearing on the tax abatement and asked when the hearing would occur so they could organize to speak.
Council members said they have received updates on corrective work, including repairs to pull cords and other items at New Community properties, and thanked residents and tenant advocates who raised concerns. The council did not record a final vote on the abatement in the premeeting remarks captured in the provided transcript; the department requested a motion to "advance and adopt on first" reading, which was noted on the docket.
The council also discussed the tax-abatement committee's involvement and the need for ongoing oversight of maintenance after abatements are awarded. Several members emphasized the importance of continuing inspections and resident outreach as part of a long-term compliance process.
No formal roll-call vote on the New Community Homes tax abatement was recorded during the premeeting discussion captured in the transcript.
