Bhalla VETOES ordinance in order to PROTECT Hoboken's 'Donut Hole'

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

GA can't tell you about last night's council meeting, but I can tell you that something appears to have flown under the radar.

Something big.

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Someone sent it over today; it's dated July 27th. Why no buzz, no press, no braying on Tiffanie's horseshit blog?

Here's what it is: a veto.  Yep. Mayor Bhalla lifted his pen to veto the First Ward Deplorable's legislative attack on Hoboken's 'donut hole.' 

I'll bet Jen, Peter and Tiffanie's consituents are relieved.

Because DeFusco's pro-developer ordinance increased the legally permitted footprint for new residential construction (lot coverage)-- consequently decreasing the open rear yard space (donut hole).  

Ka-ching. Bigger buildings = bigger developer profits.

Really, there is no plausible reason to have ignored Hoboken's Master Plan and Planning Board, other than to increase profits for his pals in the development community.  One current Planning Board Applicant who gave the DeFusco campaign $1,200 (2 months before the Councilman was seated as a Planning Comissioner) stands to benefit from DeFusco's legislation. Imagine that! A Planning Board Commissioner using his legislative powers to increase profits for campaign donors.

The whole thing reeks. 

And to think, Doyle and Jabbour were the only council members to vote "NO" on this.

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Here's the mayor's explanation for his veto:

Listen, DeFusco really needs to get booted off the Planning Board.  Pronto. He barely attends meetings, trashed the PB as a power-mad "beaurocratic group," wrote favorable legislation for private sector interests--some who will appear before his board for variances, some who gave his campaign money.  

Do we really need more evidence that he's serving in bad faith?

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City

MAYOR BHALLA'S VETO