Jersey City Planning Board recommends Let’s Move JC mobility plan to City Council — Kaplan recuses

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The Jersey City Planning Board on Tuesday night, Sept. 29, 2026, voted to recommend the Let’s Move JC Transportation Master Plan — framed on the agenda and on the motion as a new mobility element of the Jersey City Master Plan — to City Council for adoption.

The case is P2026-0120. Official agenda applicant: Eli Guseman, Principal Transportation Planner, Division of Transportation Planning. Official agenda review planner: Matthew da Silva, AICP, PP. Formal action was taken after staff presentation, public comment, and a staff recommendation of approval.

Video: Jersey City TV — Planning Board Meeting Sept. 29, 2026 · recommendation roll call at ~1:17:58

Recusal on the record

Before the presentation, Commissioner Kaplan stated for the record that he would recuse himself because “my department has been behind this plan.” He left the dais for the item and returned after the vote for the next case. Public comment later referred to him as Director Kaplan in connection with transportation outreach; the official board roll identifies him as Commissioner Kaplan.

What staff put on the record

Guseman presented Let’s Move JC as an update to the city’s circulation / transportation planning. On the record he said the Division of Transportation Planning applied in 2024 for a grant to update the circulation element; the last update was in 2013. He described a roughly year-long process of outreach, existing-conditions work, modeling, and neighborhood focus efforts, with a final plan released in June (year stated as part of the same presentation arc). He cited engagement with over 4,000 unique participants and coordination with regional partners including NJDOT, NJ Transit, the Port Authority, Hudson County, and neighboring municipalities.

Matthew da Silva of the Planning Department told the board he had been involved in the stakeholder group as a representative of City Planning, that the transportation plan is in line with the goals of the city’s master plan, and that staff recommends approval.

Roll call (video ~1:17:58)

Motion on the record: recommend the Let’s Move JC Transportation Master Plan as a new mobility element of the Jersey City Master Plan to the City Council for adoption. A commissioner moved; another seconded. Kaplan was not called (recused).

• Acting Vice Chair Patel — Aye
• Commissioner Conway — Aye
• Commissioner Stamato — Aye
• Commissioner Capers — Aye
• Madam Chair Gangadin — Aye (thanked those involved in the study; noted substantial work remains)

Motion carries. All voting members present voted aye (5–0 with Kaplan recused). Quorum at opening roll was six commissioners.

What this is — and is not

Is: A Planning Board recommendation to City Council that Let’s Move JC be adopted as a Master Plan mobility element (P2026-0120), on video, with Kaplan recused.

Is not: Final City Council adoption of the Master Plan element; a capital budget; a construction contract; or a guarantee that every recommendation in the plan will be funded or built on a fixed timetable.

Under the motion language used Tuesday night, Council is the body asked to adopt. Hudson TV will watch the City Council calendar for that adoption vote.

Hudson TV asks: Should City Council adopt Let’s Move JC as Jersey City’s Master Plan mobility element — or hold for more public debate on costs and priorities?

Share your take in the comments — and tell us which option you’d pick and why.

React: reply SUPPORT or HOLD (or OTHER + your idea).