Post on 25-Feb-2016
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Together 202: Reimagining Complete Communities along a Connecting CorridorFinal PresentationMay 20, 2013
Together North JerseyWhat is Together North Jersey?
• A planning initiative in the 13-county NJTPA region of New Jersey
• In Nov 2011, US HUD awarded TNJ a $5 million grant to develop a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development (RPSD)
• Comprehensive and balanced plan will invest in the region’s existing communities where housing, jobs, educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities are made more easily accessible to most residents without having to drive to them
Local Demonstration Projects
What are Local Demonstration Projects?
• Provide technical assistance to local partners throughout Northern NJ to undertake strategic planning activities promoting sustainable and livable, transit-oriented development and advance the broader goals of the RPSD
• Potential LDP projects include a variety of local planning activities to make transit corridors and communities more livable
Study Area
Project Team & Partners- Project Team:
• Regional Plan Association• The Williams Group• NJ Transit• NJTPA
- Project Partners: • Somerset County• NORWESCAP• Somerset County Business
Partnership• Hunterdon County Chamber of
Commerce• Raritan Valley Community
College• HART TMA• Ridewise TMA• Flemington Borough
• Trans Bridge • Hunterdon County • Bridgewater Township• Somerville Borough• Raritan Borough• Branchburg Township• Readington Township• Raritan Township
This project proposes to:
1.Foster a working and collaborative network
2.Develop a deep understanding of the Route 202 Corridor
3.Develop a local-driven vision for the corridor
Project Objectives
Stakeholder-Identified GoalsGetting Places Expanding Economic
Opportunities
Connect workers, residents and employees to key employment and commercial destinations
through enhanced transit
Make recommendations for existing businesses to capitalize
on transit/corridor improvements
Growing in Place Working Together
Identify target opportunity sites for redevelopment, reinvention
or repositioning
Work closely with state agencies to implement
recommendations
Stakeholder-Identified Goals
Keeping Healthy, Safe & Vibrant
Find ways to improve connectivity along the corridor
Stakeholder-Identified Goals
Phase I: Research & Analysis – Where are we now? Where are we headed?• Review of Master Plans, Studies and Reports• Demographic/economic profiles• Corridor Tour
Phase II: Outreach & Ideas - Where do we want to go?• Focus Groups (Mayors, Transportation, Business)• Community Workshops
Phase III: Implementation Strategies - How do we get there?• Corridor Vision Plan
Project Scope
WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHERE ARE WE HEADED?
Demographics Analysis
• Population in seven municipalities is growing and will continue to grow through 2035
• In general, poverty rates are lower in the seven municipalities than in the region
• A larger share of borough residents than township residents are burdened by housing costs
• The boroughs are more likely to have multifamily and rental housing options
• Level of educational attainment in the seven municipalities either compares to or exceeds levels in the region
Economics Analysis
• The corridor contains strong tourism and natural amenities
• There is a highly educated white collar workforce
• Existing industry clusters along the corridor include pharmaceuticals, environmental, life sciences and healthcare
• Young professionals and empty-nesters are the fastest growing groups, but demand for housing is not met
• Retail is $133M in oversupply, though general merchandise and office is undersupplied
Route 202 Score Card of Attracting Business and Supporting Transit
Category # Category Description
Score ( 5 best, 1 lowest attributes for Success) Commentary
1Downtown growth to support transit and business success 5
This has great possibilities as long as zoning to encourage empty nester housing is encourages. More housing supports more businesses and creates efficient transit densities
2 Health, environment and energy business sectors as growth opportunities 5 Some existing clusters in place but more needs to be done to incentives
businesses including zoning and transit connections
3Positive image and business attraction with linked trail system trough businesses along corridor 1 Businesses and transit need to work together through park and rides,
stops and shuttles
4Incentives for businesses to embrace transit with green ribbon awards, taxes breaks and corporate support 2 This is very possible and attractive for corporate marketing but the
process needs to get started
5
Demographic growth by keeping older baby boomers in downtown with targeted housing
5
The potential is very strong here as long as incentives are included to encourage downtown multifamily mixed use housing to provide a product for young college graduates looking o live in a more urban environment and aging baby boomers looking to sell their large houses north and south of route 202 but stay in the same area--independent senior housing is positive for growth
6Graduating college professionals with downtown housing and amenities 2
This can be harnessed and will supply the business workforce but targeted housing needs to be encouraged in the neighboring downtowns
7 Downtown densities to support transit 3 More, more density
8 Convenient intermodal connections 4 Add more park and rides at shopping areas, business and large density residential
9 Existing transit opportunities with park and rides, stops, assets 1 Structure is existing but more corporation rom business is required to
make it work
10 Infill development to focus on business clustering rather than sprawl 3 Areas of opportunity around Old York Road, downtowns and existing
business campuses
Total Score 31
Total Maximum score Possible 50
Transportation
• Transit service in the area is limited to the county TMAs, NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line, and Trans Bridge
• In the townships, approximately 70% or greater of households have at least two vehicles
• A high share of resident workers get to work in single-occupancy vehicles
• Steering Committee Meetings• Two Public Workshops• Transportation Round Table• Business Round Table• Mayors Meeting
Key Meetings
Key Problems and Challenges
Limited transit options and single occupancy vehicles lead
to congestion
Land uses are disconnected
Key Problems and Challenges
There is an oversupply of retail along the corridor
Businesses want to be in well-connected places
APPROACH: 5 LAND TYPES
APPROACH: 5 LAND TYPES
centers edges crossroads rural parkway
WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
KEY FINDINGSCENTERS
THE ROAD MAP
Economic/Market
CENTERS
1. Downtown retail to complement multi-family residential
2. TOD mixed-use to meet empty-nester/recent grad demand
THE ROAD MAP
Land Use
CENTERS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
Infill residential and mixed-use development
Develop design guidelines for study areas; Implement TOD/TND zoning; Work with owners to reposition Liberty Village
Identify redevelopment areas and implement area-specific plans; Integrate new mixed-use Liberty Village into downtown
Municipalities; Zoning & Planning Boards; Counties; Property owners
Open a downtown satellite campus of RVCC Identify a temporary site for pilot
project Create permanent facility Municipality; RVCC
Ensure locally produced foods from nearby farms in downtown restaurants Convene local farmers and
restaurateurs Develop a full "farm-to-table" program
Local businesses; Business associations; Hunterdon County Agricultural Board
Open a downtown satellite health clinic of nearby hospitals Identify a temporary site for pilot
project Create permanent facilityCounty & Municipal Health Departments; Hospital
Open a downtown "black box" theater Continue discussion between arts groups and property owners
Identify permanent operator and dedicated space Municipality; Arts groups
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
CENTERS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
A. Transit
Increase intermodal connectivityCoordinate existing routes/schedules Link new and existing services Transit providers
Create inter-center travel between Flemington, Raritan and Somerville
Develop pilot program Provide permanent service HART; Ridewise
Improved bus sheltersUpgrade existing shelters Provide new shelters at new stations Transit providers; Municipalities
Improved transit way-findingUpgrade signage Transit providers; Municipalities
Marketing transit Distribute information about existing services
Implement full travel demand management program
Transit providers; Businesses and institutions
Create more station parking (bus and train)
Negotiate with land owners/developers for shared parking Create new parking facilities
Transit providers; Property owners/developers; Municipalities
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
CENTERS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
B. Alternative Mobility Eliminate barriers to walking/biking Full ped/bike audit; New
bike lanes/shared lanes Full implementationMunicipalities; Counties; State
Support biking facilitiesProvide bike parking facilities in new developments and at government buildings
Municipalities; Counties; State
Ensure connections between existing bike trails and centers
Identify and complete missing links
Expand and enhance network
State; Counties; Municipalities
EDGES
THE ROAD MAP
Economic/Market
EDGES
1. Changing demographics supports repurposing of obsolete retail
2. Changing business trends linkages between RVCC developing skilled workforce needs and business attraction.
THE ROAD MAP
Land Use
EDGES
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
Re-purpose existing underutilized buildings: incorporate compact, residential, live-work space and other mixed-uses into retail centers
Re-zone for mixed-use residential where necessary; Develop design guidelines for study areas; Work with owners to reposition buildings/sites
Identify redevelopment areas and implement area-specific plans
Municipalities; Zoning & Planning Boards; Counties; Property owners
Re-purpose existing underutilized buildings: RVCC satellite or health facility
Re-zone for institutional where necessary; Develop design guidelines for study areas; Work with owners to reposition buildings/sites
Identify redevelopment areas and implement area-specific plans
Municipalities; Zoning & Planning Boards; County & Municipal Health Departments; Hospital
Re-purpose existing underutilized buildings: attract small and mid-size businesses and boutiques Conduct market demand study
for small scale retail
Develop a business attraction plan to draw small/mid-size businesses and boutique retail
Property owners; Business associations
Create streets and blocks in large expanses of surface parking to facilitate new development types and public spaces
Remove some surface parking spaces and begin to integrate public green spaces into existing parking lot; Begin to lay down a better defined set of thoroughfares in the lot
Complete a street and block network around new development and public spaces
Property owners; Business associations
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
EDGES
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
A. Transit
Make transit-accessible: provide access and facilities for buses
Identify key locations for new bus stops that serve redevelopment sites; Develop redevelopment site plans that include bus stops and accommodate buses
Implement new bus stops at redevelopment sites; Market as transit-oriented
Transit providers; Municipalities; Property owners/developers
Provide park-and-ride facilities
Identify key locations for park and ride facilities at redevelopment sites
Implement park and facilities at redevelopment site
Transit providers; Municipalities; Property owners/developers
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
EDGES
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
B. Alternative Mobility
Create ped/bike connections throughout
Reserve easements; Build first strategic segments; Create zoning incentives to enlist land owners in building sections
Create networks across redevelopment sites
State DOT; Property owners
Create ped/bike connections to surrounding areas
Identify and build most strategic links
Build full bike/pedestrian network
Municipalities; Property owners
Provide bike facilitiesIdentify locations; Provide incentives for biking
Revise zoning to mandate; Build dedicated facilities Property owners
CROSSROADS
THE ROAD MAP
Economic/Market
CROSSROADS
1. Attract new businesses and younger workforce.
2. TOD mixed-use residential in centers and edges.
3. Market study for service businesses.
THE ROAD MAP
Land Use
CROSSROADS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
Support transition to the most viable office and industrial uses
Evaluate policy effectiveness (office park/industrial zoning - retail needs to be supported); Detailed surveys of existing businesses; Determine: vacancies, what's needed what's missing, how are policies to support, what is demand, what you need, where you need it
Implement policies/zoning needed to get them there (state, counties, municipalities supporting development - PILOTS, Redevelopment designation, Strategic Plan - expedited permitting); Provide financial incentives
Property owners; Business associations; EDA's
Provide some new services/businesses to make these more complete places
Identify what additional uses would make these more "complete places' (service businesses, open space amenities)
Implement policies/zoning needed to get them there (state, counties, municipality supporting development - PILOTS; Redevelopment designation; Strategic Plan - expedited permitting) Municipality; Property owners
Reserve large parcels for campus scale developments
Preserve in Master Plan
Re-calibrate zoning to the market studies; Create design guidelines for large parcels that preserve campus character and promote connections between developments; Create corridor design guidelines for control character of any frontages along Route 202 Municipality; Business owners
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
CROSSROADS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
A. Transit
Make transit-accessible: provide access and facilities for buses Work with owners on access and
liability issues Implement full TDM programProperty owners; Transit providers; Municipality
Provide park-and-ride facilities Complete demand study for park-and-ride at this location; Identify potential locations
Provide new facilities/dedicated area (waiting area, dedicated for access for transit)
Property owners; Businesses; Transit providers
Coordinate with employer shuttles Study intermodal possibilities (schedule coordination, etc.) Implement full TDM program Transit providers; Employers
Provide new road connection with access to Route 202 (Chubb Way extension) Map route and reserve right-of-
way; Zoning bonus to incentivize public/private partnership to build segments
Build new connecting road extension to be bike/pedestrian-friendly
County; Property owners; State DOT
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
CROSSROADS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
B. Alternative Mobility
Create ped/bike connections between areas Reserve easements; Build first
strategic segments; Create zoning incentives to enlist property owners in building sections
Create network between the quadrants of the crossroads with pedestrianized crossings for Route 202 State DOT; Property owners
Create ped/bike connections to surrounding neighborhoods
Identify and build most strategic links Build full bike/pedestrian network Municipality; Property owners
Provide bike facilities Identify locations; Provide incentives for biking
Revise zoning to mandate; Build dedicated facilities Property owners
RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS
THE ROAD MAP
Land Use
RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
Limited, context-sensitive new development within the neighborhoods Develop neighborhood-scale
design guidelinesImplement new development at opportunity areas
Municipalities; Zoning & Planning Boards; County; Property owners
Create a new node on the corridor with neighborhood-scale services. New zoning to guide appropriate
mixed-uses Implement new node
Municipalities; Zoning & Planning Boards; County; Property owners
Community farming/gardensIdentify advocates and pilot sites; Implement "buy local" campaign
Link to eco-tourism and farm-to-table initiatives; Develop a community farming program and school curriculum
Local advocates; Schools
Ensure locally produced foods from nearby farms in local restaurants
Convene local farmers and restaurateurs
Develop a full "farm-to-table" program
Local businesses; Business associations; County Agricultural Board
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
A. Transit
Provide park-and-ride facility at new bus stop Complete demand study for park-
and-ride at this location; Identify potential locations
Provide new facilities/dedicated area (waiting area, dedicated for access for transit)
Property owners; Transit providers
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
B. Alternative Mobility
Create ped/bike connections throughout Reserve easements; Build first
strategic segments; Create zoning incentives to enlist property owners in building sections
Create networks across redevelopment sites State DOT; Property owners
Create ped/bike connections to surrounding areas
Identify and build most strategic links
Build full bike/pedestrian network Municipality; Property owners
Provide bike facilities Identify locations; Provide incentives for biking Property owners
PARKWAY
THE ROAD MAP
Economic/Market
RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS
1. Housing in Centers and Edges to meet demographic demand. Capitalize on rural quality of life through trails, preservation, etc.
2. Encourage repurposing that supports existing and growth markets limiting congestion.
THE ROAD MAP
Economic/Market
PARKWAY
1. Agri- and Eco-tourism. Maintain green, pastoral image.
2. Housing in Centers and Edges to meet demographic demand.
THE ROAD MAP
Land Use
PARKWAY
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
Promote open space preservation to preserve parkway character Develop parkway landscape
design guidelinesPurchase/transfer remaining development rights
Municipalities; Open space and farm preservation organizations; State DOT
Promote agriculture and eco-tourism Develop a local promotional strategy for agricultural products; Coordinate with farm-to-table effort
Make this and surrounding area an eco-tourism destination
State Tourism Board; Counties; Municipalities; Agriculture boards; Restaurateurs
Community farming/gardens Identify advocates and pilot sites; Implement "buy local" campaign
Link to eco-tourism and farm-to-table initiatives; Develop a community farming program and school curriculum
Local advocates; Schools
Farm stands/farmers markets/farm supermarkets
Reinforce and market the existing stands
Identify shared facilities; Link to eco-tourism and farm-to-table initiatives
State Tourism Board; Counties; Municipalities; Agriculture boards; Restaurateurs
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
PARKWAY
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
A. Transit Provide bus stop at new farm outlets
Identify location for pilot service
Build new bus stops at farm outlets
Transit providers; Property owners
Vans with branding link farms/farm stands to surrounding areas Pilot van programs linking to
farms and farm stands
Branded vans and routes link eco-tourism destination in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties
National/state touring companies; Farmers
THE ROAD MAP
Mobility
PARKWAY
Actions: Actors
Short term Long term
B. Alternative Mobility
Create both on-street and off-street rural bike and hiking routes Identify short term
ped/bike/hiking opportunitiesComplete comprehensive on- and off-road trail network
Counties; Municipalities; Property Owners
Corridor Vision
• Somerset & Hunterdon County Freeholders, Planners, Agricultural Boards
• Municipal Leaders and Staff• State DOT• Transit Providers (Ridewise; HART; Trans Bridge; NJ
Transit)• Employers and Somerset County Business
Partnership; Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
• RVCC• Private Property Owners, business and farmers• Developers• Non-profits (Arts, tourism, farm, etc.)
Key Actors
Next Steps
• How can we ensure that there is cross-municipal and inter-governmental collaboration?
• How can we maintain a lasting forum for communication and implementation?
• How does Together 202 factor into larger regional efforts?
Thank You