‘Transformative’ Zoning for Ironbound High Rises Gets City Council’s Thumbs Up

NEWARK — A 1,400-unit development proposed for the former site of Iberia restaurant in the Ironbound is closer to being built.

City Council on Tuesday gave its first approval to new zoning that would permit the development of four planned high-rises at 31-39 Jefferson St. and 450-466 Market St. on property formerly owned by Iberia restaurant.

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The zoning, introduced unanimously, would nearly triple the allowable building height, bringing it to 30 stories between Jefferson and Congress streets. A formal public hearing and second council vote on zoning for what the legislation describes as a "potentially transformative redevelopment site" is required before the zoning can be enacted.

While the proposed development has stirred concern among residents, if approved it would bring construction and retail jobs, along with affordable housing units and around $5 million in additional annual tax revenues to a city with budget woes , East Ward Councilman Michael Silva said.

“We need developers like this to be able for us to pay for more police officers, for us to hire more firemen, for us to fix our infrastructure, for us to fix our roads,” Silva said. “This is how you do it, through development.”

The project calls for four high-rise towers – two 26 stories, two 30 stories – that will hold 1,400 residential units, along with 23,000 square feet of retail space, according to developer Chess Builders.

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Residents speaking during a 30-minute public comment session at the City Council’s Tuesday meeting, which was livestreamed on YouTube, expressed concern.

Hazel Applewhite, CEO of the nonprofit Ironbound Community Corporation, requested that there be more community engagement with more meaningful community meetings to allow for resident input.

In developing the master plan, a guide for development which local laws must adhere to, Applewhite said, residents discussed looking at environmental issues including the impact of climate change on riverfront areas such as those in the East Ward before moving forward with development.

“What else are we going to give back to the community?” Applewhite asked. “Are we going to put more affordable housing in there?”

The minimum requirement under local law is that 280 units, or 20%, be affordable. Studio and one-bedroom apartments, Applewhite said, do not open opportunities for families, who most often require two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Newark resident Myles Zhang, a doctoral candidate in architecture and urban history, opposes the proposed upzoning. While Newark has the capacity to support much development and population growth, Ironbound does not because it is already overburdened, Zhang said, referencing the pollution-producing industry in the East Ward.

“We’re adding thousands of new units in new capacity in a neighborhood that is the least able to support that kind of population change,” Zhang said.

Silva said the developer has also applied for the state’s Aspire program, and he anticipates that under that program the project would bring about $2 million in community benefits.

“The community will have a say in where that money is going,” he told TAPinto Newark.

What’s Next?

A community meeting on the project is scheduled with the developer and city officials at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at Sport Club Português, 55 Prospect St., Newark. Parking is available on the Iberia lot on Congress Street.

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