In very marginal setups like this with surface temps at or slightly above freezing and light to moderate intensity, the urban heat island could make a small difference in accumulations. However, I doubt it was the main factor, since for several of these recent storms, plenty of urban locations have gotten significant snows.Yet another bust for Jersey City. That makes four busts for the season. Is it the urban heat island?
For example, every analysis I've seen of the 3/7 event which had only 3-5" from maybe Carteret to JC/Newark/Hoboken and most of NYC, including more residential areas that don't have as much of a heat island effect, has shown that the amount of precip that fell happened to be somewhat less than surrounding areas, due to subsidence (see map below) and equally urban areas from Trenton to Philly had no problem accumulating 6-12" in that storm.