nj future noncontiguous cluster webinar i overview
DESCRIPTION
An overview of New Jersey's new and improved cluster development tool and some of the options it offers for land preservation.TRANSCRIPT
New Jersey Future Webinar December 3, 2013
Made possible with generous support from The Bunbury Company
Noncontiguous Clustering New Jersey’s New & Improved
Planning Tool
And our Partners: New Jersey Department of Agriculture │ New Jersey Association of Counties
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission │ Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions New Jersey County Planners Association │ New Jersey Farm Bureau │ New Jersey Planning Officials
Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association │ Sustainable Jersey │ Together North Jersey
Today’s Agenda & Speakers
1. Introductions Angela Clerico PP AICP, LEED-AP Natural Systems Utilities and APA-NJ
2. Clustering Introduction and Applications
Chris Sturm, senior director of state policy, New Jersey Future Nicholas Dickerson, planning and policy analyst, New Jersey Future
3. Building Compact Neighborhoods or Centers
Robert Sheehan AICP, Township Administrator, Plainsboro Township
4. Resources and Getting Started Emily Costello AICP, Senior Planner, Delaware Valley Regional Planning
Commission 6. Planning Grant Announcement
7. Questions
A few “housekeeping” details
• To ask questions, please type them in using the “chat box” on the lower left of your screen
• If you are having technical problems, call
732-742-6713
• A follow-up email will provide links to today’s presentations and other resources
About New Jersey Future
Smart Growth research, policy and advocacy
www.njfuture.org
IN A NUTSHELL…
Conventional Development
• “Large Lot Zoning”
• Uniform Lot Sizes
• Development covers most, or all, of the site
Contiguous Cluster Development
• Development is concentrated on a portion of the site
• Remaining land is permanently preserved as open space or farmland
Noncontiguous Cluster
Development
Two or more non-adjacent parcels are treated as a single site for the purpose of clustering.
What does it do?
Puts development where it makes the most sense
Achieves preservation using private funds
What can it be used to preserve?
What types of growth can occur?
How does noncontiguous
clustering work?
• Municipality designates areas that are eligible for growth and preservation under noncontiguous cluster.
• Permissive! Underlying zoning remains in place, so landowners have the option to participate
• “Deal” between landowner and developer
POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS OF NONCONTIGUOUS CLUSTERING
Development on Septic
and
Farmland Preservation
Rural Setting:
(3 Acre Lots)
(6 Acre Lots)
(3 Acre Lots)
(6 Acre Lots)
(3 Acre Lots)
(6 Acre Lots)
(3 Acre Lots)
(6 Acre Lots)
Rural Setting #2:
Hamlet Development (With Sewers)
and
Forest Preservation
Clarke Caton Hintz Photo
(5 Acre Lots)
(3 du/Acre Lots)
Infill Setting:
Abandoned Strip Mall Redevelopment
and
Park Creation/Flood Management
DVRPC Photo
DVRPC Photo
WHEN IS NONCONTIGUOUS CLUSTER A GOOD CHOICE?
Noncontiguous Clustering
Benefits: Municipalities • Affordably achieve
community preservation and development goals
• Preserve land or historic sites with private funds
• Encourage walkable, compact growth, which has lower costs for infrastructure and services
Noncontiguous Clustering
Benefits: Developers
• Opportunity to build compact development that meets market demand
• Lower costs for roads and other infrastructure
• Investment in preservation builds community support
Noncontiguous Clustering
Benefits: Property Owners • Preservation Area:
– Paid to keep land preserved
– Land equity retention
– Another alternative to selling to a developer
• Growth Area: – Another option for
selling or developing land.
Implementation in New Jersey
Ten towns with ordinances: • Delaware • Hillsborough* • Hopewell • Middle • Monroe* • Mt. Olive* • North Hanover • Ocean • Plainsboro* • Robbinsville* * Five towns with noncontiguous cluster developments
How Was the Tool Improved?
• August 2013 legislation improved authorization for cluster programs
• More municipal control over growth and preservation
• Easier for developers and landowners to implement
Other Preservation Tools
• Acquisition
– Pro: Full preservation
– Con: Very Expensive
• Contiguous clustering
– Useful on a single parcel
• Transfer of development rights
– Pro: More control
– Con: Greater costs/regulation
Clarke Caton Hintz Photo
When is Noncontiguous
Clustering right for you? Pro: • A municipality should choose
noncontiguous clustering to: – Achieve compact growth – Encourage preservation at little
to no public cost
• A municipality should chose noncontiguous clustering when it lacks: – the means or resources to
undertake a TDR program – The funds to buy all the land it
wants to preserve
• Noncontiguous clustering requires minimal costs to implement.
Con: • Limited control over outcomes • Depends upon voluntary participation • May need to offer density bonus
Clarke Caton Hintz Photo
Noncontiguous Clustering: New Jersey’s New & Improved Planning Tool
• Utilizes existing infrastructure
• Preserves natural and cultural assets
• Fosters “walkable” neighborhoods
Resources
New Jersey Department of Agriculture
• http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/smartgrowth
plan.pdf
• Agricultural Smart Growth Plan for New Jersey
“Productive farmland helps keep municipal taxes
down, increases property values, benefits the
environment, adds to a community’s character, is part
of New Jersey’s heritage, and ensures that New
Jersey residents continue to have access to an
abundant supply of locally produced fresh food and
agricultural products.” Contact: Monique Purcell (609) 292-5532 or [email protected]
Resources
New Jersey Future
• www.njfuture.org/cluster
• Case study report
• Legislation
• Powerpoint
presentation
• Webinar recording
• Grant opportunity!
Contacts: Chris Sturm 609-393-0008, ext. 114 or [email protected]
Nick Dickerson 609-393-0008, ext. 109 or [email protected]
Resources
DVRPC
• Municipal Implementation
Tool #023: Land
Preservation through
Noncontiguous Parcel
Clustering in New Jersey
(coming soon!)
• Ordinance Writing Service
(coming soon!)
Contact: Emily Costello (215) 238-2865 or [email protected]
NONCONTIGUOUS CLUSTER GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Grant Basics
• $5,000 competitive planning grant
– Feasibility study
– Noncontiguous cluster ordinance adoption
– Existing noncontiguous cluster overhaul
• $5,000 match required ($2,500 can be in-kind)
• All New Jersey municipalities are eligible
• Counties may apply on behalf of multiple municipalities
• Deadline: February 28, 2014
Details
• Grantees have one year to use funding
• Access grant application and instructions: www.njfuture.org/cluster
• Electronic submission is encouraged
• Contact Nick Dickerson with questions: – 609.393.0008 ext. 109 or
Questions and Answers
Send them in using the chat window on the lower left of your screen