A Victory for Zoning Enforcement and Historic Preservation!

The Historic Paulus Hook Association is pleased to share important news for all Jersey City residents, especially those in historic districts.

The Historic Paulus Hook Association (HPHA) recently brought suit against Jersey City in an effort to get City Officials to enforce the existing Jersey City Zoning Ordinance. The suit was instituted after several historic buildings were renovated or substantially altered in violation of historic preservation standards and the required Historic Preservation Commission review was bypassed.

The end run around the established historic application review process not only caused the loss of defining historic elements and structures in Jersey City, but it continues to erode the historic character of our well-defined historic districts and neighborhoods thereby reducing property values of nearby structures.

The Superior Court of New Jersey in Hudson County ruled this month that the Zoning Officer for the City of Jersey City “cannot lawfully issue permits for any work to be done within a designated historic district […] without the appropriate approvals being obtained from the Historic Preservation Commission.”

This ruling is important for several reasons:
· it reinforces the existing rules that the Zoning Officer and Board must follow
· it reinforces the importance and weight of the Historic Preservation Commission and its officers’ decisions
· it is a strong reminder to City Officials that there are guidelines and regulations in place that serve to benefit the greater good

According to HPHA President Jennifer Wagner, “We view this ruling as an important win for all neighborhoods and especially historic neighborhoods in Jersey City. We are pleased to be able to support the decisions of the Historic Preservation Commission and Jersey City’s Historic Preservation Officer, Dan Wrieden.”