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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