PETITION OPPOSING THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT 

66-80 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ  07103

To: Mayor Ras Baraka, Councilwoman Bey, Councilwoman At Large Roundtree, Council President Crump

We, the undersigned residents, homeowners, and concerned members of the community respectfully submit this petition in opposition to the proposed construction of 66-80 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ  07103. Identified on the Tax Map as Block 235, Lot 1.

While we, the residents of Society Hill Newark, support responsible development and improvements within our community, we believe this proposed project is not conducive to the surrounding condominiums and residential neighborhood for the following reasons:

1. Increased Traffic and Congestion: The proposed development is expected to significantly increase vehicle traffic, resulting in congestion, reduced parking availability, and safety concerns for residents and pedestrians.

2. Impact on Property Values: The scale and nature of the project may negatively affect surrounding condominium property values and diminish the residential character of the area.

3. Noise, Construction, and Quality of Life Concerns:Extended construction activity and ongoing operational noise may disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of nearby homes and adversely impact residents’ quality of life.

4. Incompatibility with Existing Community Character: The proposed building is inconsistent with the architectural style, density, and overall character of the existing condominium community and neighboring residences.

5. Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns: The development may place additional strain on local infrastructure, drainage systems, utilities, and public services that are already serving the current population.

6. Loss of Privacy and Sunlight: The height and placement of the proposed structure may obstruct views, reduce natural sunlight, and compromise privacy for nearby condominium residents.

For these reasons, we respectfully request that [Planning Board/Zoning Board/Town Council/etc.] deny approval of this proposal or require substantial modifications (deleting of zoning C-2, Parking Ordinance not allowing a space deed for each unit, etc) that better protect the interests of the existing residential community.

We urge local officials to carefully consider the concerns of the residents who live in and contribute to this neighborhood every day.