Newark council advances multiple tax abatements as residents demand more affordable housing

The Newark Municipal Council voted on and advanced multiple tax-abatement ordinances at its Jan. 22 meeting while residents and community advocates pressed the council to require larger affordable-housing commitments and better oversight of developers.

Council members approved a series of abatement measures for projects in the city, including ordinances tied to 486 Market Street, Mount Pleasant Apartments, 566–570 Springfield Street and a 30-year abatement for a project at 40 Austin Street. Several speakers during the public-hearing portions of the meeting criticized the administration and the council for approving long-term abatements while, they said, failing to deliver low- and very-low-income housing or to hold developers accountable for building conditions.

Why it matters: Speakers said the tax-abatement program is a major driver of new development and public subsidies, and they asked that the city demand clearer community benefits, stronger enforcement of inclusionary zoning and more transparency about the use of housing trust funds. Council votes on large abatements directly affect future property tax revenues and the pace and character of neighborhood development.

Council action and votes - 20-year…