The Hoboken City Council passed a bird-friendly glass design law on second reading after some debate and with many speaking in favor of it.
Screenshot via YouTube.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The ordinance had been delayed since it was approved on first reading in June and had since been amended. During public comment on the local legislation, Manny Rivera Soler wanted to know what the changes ultimately were.
Several other residents and advocates gave their two cents on the issue prior to the vote.
“Birds are not limited by city or state lines. New York City and Jersey City already have some similar bird-friendly building laws, joining nearly 30 cities across the country that have taken this step. They control pests, pollinate plants, and disperse seeds,” noted New York City Bird Alliance Senior Manager Catherine Chen.
“Collisions with glass and built structures kill over one billion birds in the us each year. Birds don’t perceive glass as a barrier … they see a clear path or a reflection of vegetation or sky and try to fly through.”
JC Birds Co-Leader Lauren Morse, who was involved with getting the legislation passed in Jersey City, also explained why she felt this legislation is needed.
“As someone who has monitored the waterfront, I have watched birds laying in pools of blood. I have held them as they have died with their necks broken, and a lucky few I have transported to rehab,” she stated.
“It’s terrible … They have a second collision with that ground. I have heard that clunk, and it’s one of the worst sounds in the world to hear … You can also reduce the amount of glass overall.”
After public comment concluded, Council President Ruben Ramos sought to clarify the scenarios where the ordinance applies.
“It establishes bird-friendly design construction requirements for new construction up to 85 ft. So anything below 85 feet has to comply with the bird design ordinance,” he stated.
“We saw what New York City has done. We saw what JC has done. We wanted to be consistent with their approach with bird-friendly materials in our buildings. The first 85 feet will have bird-friendly materials and will not be killing our feathered friends,” added 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, one of the co-sponsors.
The other co-sponsor, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, said she has been regularly helping injured birds in the city, routinely tagged on social media regarding such incidents, further stating a new law on the books is needed with the Rockefeller project being built.
“We talked a lot about savings bird s… What if we save too many birds? What if in 20 years, they’re on the attack?” Councilman at-Large Joe Quintero joked before saying he was fully in support.
Additionally, 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano was curious about the nuances of “substantial alteration” language that is included.
“It says it’s all new construction and substantial alterations … Substantial alteration is defined as alterations made to a residential structure in order to increase its dwelling units to 10 or more,” Cohen replied, noting they wanted to find middle ground.
“I don’t see any penalties … I don’t see anything here for enforcement,” Cohen continued.
“I think you can’t get a permit,” Fisher stated.
When Presinzano asked how that was possible, Fisher said a certificate of occupancy could be withheld.
Community Development and Planning Director Christopher Brown clarified that a CO is necessary to allow a building to open.
“It happens with every single project before permits are issued,” he pointed out.
“Will we have to train a specialist?” Presinzano asked.
“No,” Brown said.
“So everyone is a specialist on bird glass and bird design?” Presinzano pressed.
“It’s like a building. façade. They’re gonna look out for that,” Brown replied.
“I don’t understand … We’re spending a lot of time on this, and we don’t spend a lot of time on people,” Presinzano argued, causing some uproar from the audience.
Nonetheless, the downtown councilman was unrelenting.
“It’s great to save the birds … But we’re not addressing the issues in town,” he exclaimed to some applause.
“We don’t address the big elephants in the room: rent control, affordability, safety on our infrastructure. And continually the same thing happens and we add more red tape,” he said as audience members again yelled out.
Presinzano noted a similar outcry on rent control and affordability doesn’t produce such quick results.
“I don’t think we’re doing our job up here,” he said to some applause.
The Hoboken City Council passed the final reading or the ordinance 9-0 to applause.