What Branciforte really said

One ZBA Commissioner who has (in GA's opinion) been unfairly maligned in the "Shake Shack" controversy, is Vice Chair John Branciforte.

That's because his statement "Shake Shack, I could really care less about, to tell you the truth" was pulled out of context by Councilman Defusco, who spread it on social media (Facebook and Twitter)  purposely, to dishonestly represent the reason 107-111 Washington Street's variances were denied.

Here are Branciforte's closing remarks in full, so it's clear his vote was not based on "not caring about Shake Shack" as DeFusco suggested by selectively pulling that quote out of context.
You know, I go way back on this Board, how many times a developer comes in front of the Board and says, you know, I am not putting a nail salon there. I am not putting whatever there, and then the thing opens up, and it's a nail salon. Or how many times I've heard two projects in particular, where we were promised like the best restaurant for this area that really needs a great restaurant, and then it turns into a bar, you know, a beer joint. Shake Shack, I could really care less about, to tell you the truth. They come and go. It doesn't matter to me. There's lots of places to get burgers on Washington Street. I will talk more about -- I just don't like the increase and the intensity of use that Court Street is going to have to go under. We don't know -- the traffic engineer doesn't know if Shake Shack is going to have a delivery service. If they do, there could be two to three cars double parked out front, or you know, parked on Court Street constantly. That wasn't included in the traffic study, the number of trips that the delivery guy would have to make every day. Not to mention the delivery trucks, right now I am guessing Walgreens uses their parking lot for deliveries. I don't know where those trucks are going to go. They're going to be parked on Court Street. The apartments -- 14 apartments are going to empty out onto Court Street. Fed Ex deliveries, like Mr. Johnson said -- thank you for bringing that up -- moving trucks, mail -- a postal service truck is going to have to be parked out there while they deliver to 14 residences, not to mention the fact that, like you just said, with all of the problems of the bars downtown, that alleyway going from Court Street to the back entrance of the building, that's going to turn into a toilet. I mean, it really is. A dark alleyway on Court Street, it's just -- there's so much wrong with this. But I have to go back to the lot coverage, and I agree with what Carol was talking about. Yeah, I'm just -- I am open to hearing what everybody else has to say.  

Comments

  1. Mike is a weaselly little idiot who seems to be quite full of himself and spews alternate facts like a drunk frat boy staggering down Washington Street at 2:00 am on a Sunday morning. Living proof that being gay does not preclude one from being a colossal jerk and he has proven himself to be unfit for public office. Bye Felicia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had no idea he was gay until he made an issue of it. I definitely could tell he was a colossal jerk as he has been very clear on that point for some time.

      Delete
    2. precisely Ojo- nobody made an issue of Mike's sexuality before Mike did. Since Mike did, I've not seen anyone make an issue of it except Mike. So, that makes Mike the only person who makes an issue of his sexuality. Hooray for him!

      Delete
  2. I totally agree with John but his views are a minority view in this town. The Mayor and the city council just approved a monster hotel very close to this parking lot. We need some new blood across the board when it comes to elected officials. Throw all the bums out, DeFusco & Zimmer and everyone else that panders to developers and the real estate crowd. (yes, Zimmer panders to her preferred developers and real estate people too.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. waterfront property adjacent to a transit hub is totally different than extra density and burden on one of Hoboken's most historic, quiet streets. This ZBA actually tried to protect one of Hoboken's historic gems. We scream if they allow tear downs on bloomflied in favor of shiny new residential density but also scream when the ZBA tries to curb development in favor of historic preservation? This is ONLY a political discussion. One that DeFusco and his supporters are using to talk out of both sides of their mouth (preserve court street! No, lets support a ton of traffic and congestion onto court street!). Can't wait for what is next from him / them - The 1st ward residents need this hotel to create vibrancy! But wait, we cant have more traffic and congestion on historic Newark St. by the water! With all that contradiction in his head, he is bound to implode...

      Delete
    2. The city needs a hotel and conference center and its a short block from a municipal garage. A big plus for Hoboken.

      Delete
    3. Comparing this project with the hotel on the post office site is ignorant beyond belief. Both the pros and the cons of each project are so completely different that your post demonstrates nothing beyond either complete ignorance of land use or politics. My money is on politics.

      Delete
    4. John B votes no on almost everything, Phil C votes yes on almost everything, the cranky attorney rides rough shod over the chairman and runs the meeting, it's quite a scene.

      Delete
    5. The City Council DID NOT approve the hotel. They approved a Redevelopment Plan which set down a whole set of points the developer would need to incorporate into whatever is built.

      Delete
  3. It's great to see Pupie playing his part in the re-election campaign for Zimmer. He always comes through for her.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Can we agree that "I could care less" is incorrect grammar? It's "I couldn't care less." First Mike DeFusco posts it and now I see this guy said it. Is speaking properly that hard?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's funny, I never thought about it- heard it said both ways. In John's defense, those meetings go late... and he spoke at the end.

      Delete
    2. This is among my biggest grammatical pet peeves. Think of it this way: If one "could care less" then they care to some level or degree. If they "couldn't care less" then they give zero f***s, which is what I think the intended meaning is.

      For example, most people couldn't care less about my point here. ROFL

      Delete
  5. I couldn't care less.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment