Jersey City preservation panel backs plan to turn 130-year-old church into condos

Jersey City's Historic Preservation Commission agreed Monday that a developer's plan to refashion an unused 19th-century brick church into a condominium complex is appropriate for the historic Hamilton Park neighborhood.
The commissioners voted 7-1 to approve -- with conditions -- the application by developer Mohammed Hammami to convert the old Centenary M.E. Church, which is commonly referred to as the Centennial Methodist Church, at 306 Pavonia Ave. into a three-story, nine-unit condominium building.
Commissioner Anthony Sandkamp voted against the plan and Commissioner Stephen Gucciardo recused himself from the vote.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled to consider a variance needed to convert the church into a residential building at its meeting at 6 o'clock tonight at City Hall, 280 Grove St.
A handful of speakers at Monday's meeting complained the developer plans to remove many of the church's stained-glass windows and has no plans to provide condo owners with parking in an area "already maxed out" with cars.
After hearing the comments, the commissioners told the developer he had to hire an expert to find out if some more of the stained-glass windows could be preserved. Hammami had previously explained that many of the stained-glass windows could no longer open and close and were therefore considered fire hazards.
Dan Wrieden, the city's historic preservation officer, said the developer has agreed to keep four original "ecclesiastical" style stained-glass windows on the front of the circa 1880 Romanesque Revival style church.
The commissioners also required the developer to seek the opinion of an expert to see if it is feasible to reinstate four slender spires on the roof, which show up in early 20th-Century photographs of the church but have since been removed.
According to city ordinance, the developer is not permitted to provide on-site parking for developments with less than 10 units.
Liliane Freitas, a resident of Coles Street, tried at the meeting to turn in 120 petition signatures calling upon city officials to find a different use for the building.
"To me and the 120 residents who signed the petition, the stained-glass windows are spectacular and should not be removed," Freitas said. "I don't see why the windows are not seen as an asset to the developers plan."
The board's attorney rejected the petitions as "hearsay" since the signatories were not present.