A suite of zoning changes that would increase building heights and density along the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey, provoked a chaotic council hearing that devolved into shouting and the removal of residents from the council chambers.
Karen Yi reports from Newark, New Jersey, where "[c]haos erupted at the Newark City Council meeting Wednesday night as residents' fury over housing opportunities escalated into heated exchanges between the public and city employees."
"Throughout the night, residents vented their frustrations with the lack of low-income housing in the city and decried plans to allow buildings near the city's riverfront to tower as high as 40 stories and others in the Ironbound section to reach 12 stories," according to Yi.
At the core of the controversy are two proposed land use regulation changes. One would create a high density residential and commercial zone, thus increasing height limits, in the Ironbound District. The second would "amend the redevelopment plan for the riverfront and allow buildings to increase their maximum heights from 10 to 25 stories in one area and from 30 to 40 stories in another," according to Yi.
Yi reports that the city has deferred the Ironbound District zoning changes, and will consider the amendments to the "Newark's River: Public Access and Redevelopment Plan" for final adoption at its October 4 hearing.
As for the chaos that erupted during the meeting, Yi posted a video of several residents being escorted from the meeting while trading heated exchanges with city employees.
FULL STORY: WATCH: Anger, chaos erupt at Newark council meeting over housing
Upzoning Plan Faces Opposition in Prince George's County
A rezoning plan in Prince George's County, Maryland is receiving strong criticism from residents who worry redevelopment without tenant protections will lead to displacement.
High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.
How Cities Are Resisting State Efforts To Increase Density
Cities are attempting to wrest back local control over land use and zoning via some ingenious—and sometimes disingenuous—strategies.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie