VISION FOR A KEARNY TOD

February 27, 2008Rob Lane

Regional Plan Association

Project Goals and Objectives To create a community-based vision for

a future transit-oriented place near Bergen Avenue and the Kingsland Line.

Policy Objectives• Leverage investment in a new station to advance the goals and objectives of Kearny’s plans: Schuyler Avenue Redevelopment, Vision Plan• Promote the economic well being of KearnyDesign Objectives• Create a pedestrian environment around a future station area.• Create Connections from a future Station Area to surrounding destinations, and especially along Bergen Avenue to Kearny Avenue• Promote and anticipate development patterns that are transit- oriented.

Kearny TOD Study

Who We Are

Regional Plan Association Robert Lane, Paolo Ikezoe

community visioning, urban design

Phillips Preiss Shapiro Assoc. Paul Grygielland use regulation, economic development

Eng Wong Taub Susan O’Donnell

traffic, mobility, pedestrian issues

Kearny TOD Study

Tonight’s Meeting

1. Launch this process with the Working Group2. “Where We Are”: A Planning Framework for a Kearny

TOD3. “What Could Be”:• What is TOD?• Preliminary Market Reconnaissance• Preliminary Traffic / Pedestrian Reconnaissance4. Discussion:• Did we get it right• Where do we want to go?5. Next Steps

Kearny TOD Study

Regional Context

• Proximity to NY CBD• Access to intercity

rail• Access to interstate

highways• Balance access with

identity

Kearny TOD Study

Sub-Regional Context

• Proximity to Meadowlands

• Green infrastructure: rivers, wetlands

• Proximity to Newark• Redevelopment in the

larger study areaKearny TOD Study

Where We Are: Study Area Context

Kearny TOD Study

Where We Are: Study Area Context

Clear residential edge

Schuyler Ave and industrial area:marginal business and buildings

Kearny TOD Study

Where We Are: Study Area Context

Pedestrian issues: traffic, topography

Kearny TOD Study

Where We Are: Study Area Context

Bergen Avenue Corridor

Kearny Avenue “Main St. Corridor

Kearny TOD Study

Where We Are: Planning Framework

Kearny TOD Study

Bergen Avenue

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Where We Are: Planning Framework

Kearny TOD Study

Bergen Avenue

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Where We Are: Planning Framework

Kearny TOD Study

Bergen Avenue

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What Could Be: What Is TOD?A mix of housing, shops, restaurants, offices, civics buildings and open space in a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment within walking distance of a train station, and that supports both community character and transit ridership.

• Connects the surrounding area to the transit facility by creating an environment that accommodates the automobile but favors alternative forms of mobility, pedestrians, bicyclists buses.

• Makes the Station area a community destination: identity, activities

• Orients buildings towards streets and public spaces and solves the parking problem creatively.

• Encourages building architecture that is scaled to pedestrian activity.

• Favors uses that support compact, mixed-use environments a opposed to auto-dependent uses.Kearny TOD

Study

What Could Be: What Is TOD?A mix of housing, shops, restaurants, offices, civics buildings and open space in a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment within walking distance of a train station, and that supports both community character and transit ridership.

•Connects the surrounding area to the transit facility by creating an environment that accommodates the automobile but favors alternative forms of mobility, pedestrians, bicyclists buses.

Kearny TOD Study

What Could Be: What Is TOD?A mix of housing, shops, restaurants, offices, civics buildings and open space in a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment within walking distance of a train station, and that supports both community character and transit ridership.

•Makes the Station area a community destination: identity, activities

Kearny TOD Study

What Could Be: What Is TOD?A mix of housing, shops, restaurants, offices, civics buildings and open space in a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment within walking distance of a train station, and that supports both community character and transit ridership.

•Orients buildings towards streets and public spaces and solves the parking problem creatively.

Kearny TOD Study

What Could Be: What Is TOD?A mix of housing, shops, restaurants, offices, civics buildings and open space in a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment within walking distance of a train station, and that supports both community character and transit ridership.

•Encourages building architecture that is scaled to pedestrian activity.

Kearny TOD Study

What Could Be: What Is TOD?A mix of housing, shops, restaurants, offices, civics buildings and open space in a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment within walking distance of a train station, and that supports both community character and transit ridership.

•Favors uses that support compact, mixed-use environments as opposed to auto-dependent uses.

Kearny TOD Study

Residential:

Single-family 5

du/acre $100,000 $(-1,800)/du

Two-family 7 100,000 (-5,700)

Townhouse 12 300,000 600

Stacked townhouse 22 700,000 1,700

Apartments (2-3 story) 30 800,000 3,100

Apartments (4+ story) 40 600,000 700

Age-restricted 40 600,000 900

Assisted living 24 200,000 800

Net TOD Net Value Typical Net

Use Density (per acre) Fiscal Impact

TOD housing is “ratable”

What Could Be: What Is TOD?

Kearny TOD Study

Where We Are: What’s the Market

What uses are viable from a market perspective?

• Minimal new residential in Kearny • But substantial competition (e.g., Harrison and

Secaucus) • Limited market for retail and office • Possibly limited industry/artisans

further from station

Kearny TOD Study

What Could Be: What’s the Market

Fiscal implications for redevelopment

• TOD generally positive • Fewer schoolchildren than typical residential• Higher value housing • Non-residential ratables• Limited new services required

Kearny TOD Study

Where We Are: Traffic and Mobility

Traffic Challenges

• Bergen and Schuyler Avenue intersection - over capacity– Heavy turning volumes– Trucks– Tough turning radius (especially for trucks)– Limited capacity on Schuyler Avenue

• Bergen Avenue and Newark Turnpike – over capacity– Trucks– Volume

Kearny TOD Study

What Could Be: Traffic and Mobility

Kearny TOD Study

Traffic Opportunities

• Operational improvements proposed as part of the Meadowlands District Plan

• Design improvements could be considered for Bergen and Schuyler Avenues

• Within the site roads can be designed to meet anticipated capacity

Where We Are: Traffic and Mobility

Kearny TOD Study

Pedestrian and Bicycle Challenges

• Narrow or non-existent sidewalks• No designated bicycle lanes• Topography on Bergen Avenue heading

toward Kearny Avenue

What Could Be: Traffic and Mobility

Kearny TOD Study

Pedestrian and Bicycle Opportunities

• People are walking and bicycling now • Bergen Avenue is wide so sidewalks could be

widened and/or added• An off-road bike path is proposed as part of the

Meadowlands District Plan

What Could Be: Traffic and Mobility

Kearny TOD Study

Next Steps

• Develop Three alternative land-use and design scenarios.

• Evaluate the Three Alternatives in terms of market and fiscal implications and in terms of Traffic and mobility implications.

• Convene a Stakeholder Working Session around the Three Alternatives