Stop the 6 Story Overdevelopment Next to Our Homes on 311 Ocean Ave, Jersey City

Recent signers:
Barbara Waddell and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Jersey City, urge the Jersey City Zoning Board of Adjustment to deny the proposed application to build a six story, 60 unit mixed use building at 311 Ocean Ave. This proposal violates multiple zoning standards and would significantly impact the safety, livability, and privacy of the surrounding neighborhood.

The developer is requesting numerous variances, including:

  • A massive increase in density — 154 dwelling units per acre, nearly four times the legal limit of 42 units per acre
  • Excessive height — 6 stories, far above what is typical or allowed for this block
  • Minimal rear yard setbacks — which removes green space, blocks air flow, and eliminates privacy for adjacent homes
  • Insufficient parking — only 29 spaces for 60 apartments and ground floor retail, creating parking overflow on already congested streets

Why This Matters:
This development would loom over neighboring homes, eliminating sunlight, natural views, and personal privacy.

  • It would dramatically increase local traffic and worsen parking conditions.
  • It sets a dangerous precedent for developers to disregard zoning laws in pursuit of profit.

We are not against responsible development — we are against projects that ignore local zoning standards and community well-being.

We Call On the Zoning Board To:

  • Deny the current proposal in full.

This is our neighborhood — and we believe growth should benefit the community, not bulldoze it.

217

Recent signers:
Barbara Waddell and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Jersey City, urge the Jersey City Zoning Board of Adjustment to deny the proposed application to build a six story, 60 unit mixed use building at 311 Ocean Ave. This proposal violates multiple zoning standards and would significantly impact the safety, livability, and privacy of the surrounding neighborhood.

The developer is requesting numerous variances, including:

  • A massive increase in density — 154 dwelling units per acre, nearly four times the legal limit of 42 units per acre
  • Excessive height — 6 stories, far above what is typical or allowed for this block
  • Minimal rear yard setbacks — which removes green space, blocks air flow, and eliminates privacy for adjacent homes
  • Insufficient parking — only 29 spaces for 60 apartments and ground floor retail, creating parking overflow on already congested streets

Why This Matters:
This development would loom over neighboring homes, eliminating sunlight, natural views, and personal privacy.

  • It would dramatically increase local traffic and worsen parking conditions.
  • It sets a dangerous precedent for developers to disregard zoning laws in pursuit of profit.

We are not against responsible development — we are against projects that ignore local zoning standards and community well-being.

We Call On the Zoning Board To:

  • Deny the current proposal in full.

This is our neighborhood — and we believe growth should benefit the community, not bulldoze it.

Support now

217


The Decision Makers

Denise Ridley
Jersey City Council - Ward A
Responded
Ward A is the only ward in the City where a community meeting is held for every new project before that project is voted on by the Planning Board. I typically host an initial meeting with the developer and the community and allow community groups/residents to connect with the developers directly for any additional follow up. The meeting notices are posted on social media, sent via newsletter, sent to the block associations, and hand delivered to mailboxes in the immediate area of the project. The initial meeting for 311 Ocean was also covered in the local news media. There were two community meetings held for 311 Ocean at PS 20 School. One was held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 and the first took place on July 18, 2023. At the first meeting, residents voiced strong concerns with parking and asked the developer to go back and work on it. At the second meeting, the developer came back with a new design that provided one to one parking as requested by residents. As a Councilmember, we do not vote on new development projects like this one. It goes before a board (Planning/Zoning). The board is made up of Jersey City residents. As a Councilmember, I am legally not allowed to sway the board. What I usually do is ask board members to take the comments of my residents into serious consideration. I will reach out to the Planning Director, find out when this project goes before the board, and make that ask. It is important for residents to attend both the community meeting and the board meetings when they receive the notices so that their voices can be heard. I encourage residents to attend when this goes before the board. A notice will be sent to them. Additionally, I have asked the Planning Department to study this area of Ocean Avenue to possibly include it into the South Greenville Redevelopment Plan as this area is currently not included in a redevelopment plan, but the immediate areas around it are included. Regards, Denise Ridley Councilwoman, Jersey City - Ward A
James Solomon
James Solomon
Jersey City Mayor

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