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Council advances several redevelopment ordinances, including tax abatements for West and South Ward projects
Summary
Council members sponsored multiple first‑reading ordinances to grant multi‑decade tax abatements for mixed‑use projects in the West and South Wards and referred zoning changes for local historic designation to the planning board.
The Newark Municipal Council heard a package of first‑reading ordinances and communications aimed at redevelopment and housing. Council members recorded sponsorships to advance tax‑abatement projects, including a 20‑year abatement for Namor (South Orange Urban Renewal LLC) in the West Ward and a 25‑year abatement for 1080 Bergen Developer Urban Renewal LLC in the South Ward for five‑story mixed‑use buildings. "I'd like to sponsor this one, please," Councilman Kelly said during the Namor presentation, and Councilwoman Scott‑Brown seconded.
Council members also advanced a separate ordinance for Morben Holdings Urban Renewal LLC (20‑year abatement, four‑story mixed‑use with 11 residential units) and discussed an affordable housing agreement with Rise and Planes Urban Renewal LLC to build a four‑story, 19‑unit supportive housing project (three studios, six one‑bedrooms, 10 two‑bedrooms). Staff noted some projects will include HOME funds and other subsidies; council asked for an update on HOME fund balances and past allocations.
Separately, the council referred proposed amendments to zoning and land‑use regulations to the Central Planning Board to create a local process for historic structure designation that could speed adaptive reuse while remaining complementary to state and federal registries. Allison Ladd, director of Economic and Housing Development, said the local approach is intended "to preserve our history" and move projects more quickly through adaptation and reuse.
