Jersey City (N.J.) Planning Board OKs 54 Jones 31st story, bonus

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The Jersey City Planning Board approved several site plans and amendments on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 — adding a 31st story at 54 Jones St., backing a 28-story Powerhouse Arts District bonus, updating a 56-story downtown tower park easement, and approving 17 units in the Heights.

54 Jones St. adds 31st story for PSE&G; Powerhouse bonus advances 7-0

In Journal Square, the board voted 7-0 to approve an amended site plan for Yellowstone Development, LLC at 54 Jones St. (Case P2026-0087, 3:50:30). Attorney Rebecca Maioriello of Connell Foley LLP and architect Ahmed Emara testified that PSE&G required electrical equipment on an expanded second-floor mezzanine, adding about 1,283 square feet. Because city code counts a mezzanine as a story, the building rises from 30 to 31 stories and from 312 feet to 313.6 feet, keeping 190 units (21 affordable). City planning staff said changes this size are often handled administratively, but board action was required because previously granted variances grew.

Earlier, commissioners voted 7-0 to recommend City Council amendments to the Powerhouse Arts District Block 13002 Bonus petitioned by Exchange Towers LLC (Case P2025-0125, 0:33:00). Presented by planner Matt Ward, with attorney Charles J. Harrington III for the petitioner, the bonus allows 21 stories (225 feet) with 15% affordable housing, or 28 stories (290 feet) with 20%+ on-site affordable housing, a 5-foot Morgan Street stepback above the ninth floor, and a public RFP for the 501(c)(3) arts nonprofit. Resident Kathryn Moore (140 Bay St.) urged a 10-foot stepback to protect light and air for Morgan Lofts (0:23:30), while Nimbus Dance founder and artistic director Samuel Pott endorsed the plan (0:29:30).

HUD park deal at 62–72 Montgomery St. and 17 new units in the Heights

Downtown, the board voted 8-0 to amend conditions for Montgomery Greene Owner LLC at 62–72 Montgomery St. next to Battery View Tower (Case P2026-0116, 0:59:30). Attorney James C. McCann explained that while the approved 56-story, 600-unit tower (90 affordable) includes a 13,198-square-foot public park and 3,400-square-foot dog run on land owned by HUD-backed senior complex Battery View, HUD “refused to subordinate their mortgage” to the easement and instead gave a non-disturbance agreement protecting the park in perpetuity (0:58:00).

In the Heights, commissioners voted 7-0 to approve Shri 179 Liberty LLC’s variance-free three-story, seven-unit building with seven parking spaces at 179 Liberty Ave. (Case P2026-0009, 3:41:00), represented by attorney Eugene O’Connell, after neighbors raised parking, trash, tree and stormwater concerns. The board also voted 7-0 to approve 274-276 Columbia Avenue LLC’s two three-story, four-family brick buildings with rear ADUs (P2026-0089 / P2026-0090, 2:53:30), presented by attorney Benjamin Wine and architect Anthony Vandermark Jr., and carried 13 Bostwick Ave. (P2026-0026) to Nov. 10. Search records with Garden State AI.

Hudson TV asks: Should Jersey City require larger stepbacks when granting 28-story height bonuses for affordable housing?
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