NEWARK, NJ — Newark’s plan to revamp its zoning codes in the name of walkability, affordability and housing creation is raising some big questions from residents – but city officials say they have answers.
The City of Newark is in the process of updating its land and zoning use regulations to match its 10-year master plan, known as “Newark360.” Read More: Newark’s 10-Year Master Blueprint Marches Forward
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The updates would take place through a local ordinance, and would require a final green light from the city council. Learn more about the proposed changes here.
Here are some takeaways about the major changes that would happen under the plan, according to officials:
Corridor Upzoning – “Modest increases in height to allow more opportunities for housing development along primary and secondary corridors within the neighborhood context. Non- residential uses are required on the ground floor of primary corridors and permitted, but not required on the ground floor of secondary corridors.”
Replace Aging Redevelopment Plans – “Three redevelopment plans have grown outdated relative to the new Master Plan standards. Replacing the plans with standard zoning will prevent those parts of the city from being more strictly regulated than their immediate neighbors.”
Zoning For More Homes – “Changes to minimum lot area and density standards for multi-family buildings provide context-sensitive opportunity to add new housing units to most neighborhoods.”
Streamline Small Development – “Three-family dwellings and other small projects can be approved administratively, and existing undersized lots grandfathered in to speed up the development process.”
Commercial Use Flexibility – “Permit home-based businesses to promote entrepreneurship and allow more diverse and flexible uses within commercial zones.”
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) – “Accessory dwelling units are small units that can be added to existing residential properties to provide additional housing options and a source of income for homeowners.”
Update Building And Design Standards – “Changes to certain lighting, signage, building transparency, landscaping, and building placement standards will address frequent variance requests.”
Newark officials have outlined what impact the zoning changes would have on local neighborhoods in the city (article continues below).
Belmont – Replaces aging Old 3rd Ward Redevelopment Plan with comparable standard zoning to create an even playing field. Expands C-2 areas along the Springfield Avenue and South Orange Avenue Corridors.
Dayton – No recommended changes in the Dayton Neighborhood. The Land Use Element anticipates the future Airport City Redevelopment Plan for the area.
Downtown – No significant changes are proposed for the Downtown neighborhood. The existing redevelopment plans will be amended to align with the rest of the city and to expand the range of uses permitted.
Fairmount – The key changes here are replacing the aging West Market / North Fairmount Redevelopment Plan with comparable standard zoning consistent with the surrounding area. Expands C-2 areas along the Central Avenue and South Orange Avenue Corridors.
Forest Hill – Changes in the Forest Hill neighborhood are limited to the expansion of C-1 areas along Verona Avenue in the north and Bloomfield Avenue in the south. The existing historic district and R-1 Zone will remain with permitted ADUs provided they meet historic guidelines.
Industrial (East) – No recommended changes in the Industrial-East neighborhood. The Forward Bound Doremus redevelopment plan is intended to replace most of the I-2 and I-3 areas around the Turnpike.
Industrial (West) – No recommended changes in the Industrial – West Neighborhood.
Ironbound – No substantive changes are proposed in the Ironbound Neighborhood. Modifications to the building type standards will permit incremental intensification of uses while preserving the character of the Ferry Street corridor.
Lincoln Park – Changes in the Lincoln Park Area include additional C-2 Zoning along Clinton Avenue, Elizabeth Avenue, and Broad Street along with additional R-4 zoning. These changes are in lieu of the drafted, but not adopted Lincoln Park South Gateway Redevelopment Plan.
Lower Broadway – Changes in the Lower Broadway Neighborhood Include extensions of C-2 zoning along the Broadway corridor and additional C-1 zoning extending the Bloomfield Avenue corridor and filling in gaps between the corridors.
Lower Clinton Hill – Changes in the Lower Clinton Hill neighborhood include extending the C-2 Zone along Clinton Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue, and expanding C-1 areas around Irvine Turner Boulevard, Bergen Street, and Avon Avenue.
Lower Roseville – Changes in the Lower Roseville neighborhood include expanding the C-2 Zone between Interstate-280 and Orange Street and along Park Avenue and adding a C-1 corridor along Roseville Avenue and along the west side of Branch Brook Park.
Mount Pleasant – Changes in the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood are focused on Broadway with extensions of the C-2 Zones and addition of complementary areas of C-1 Zoning.
North Broadway / Woodside – Changes in the North Broadway / Woodside Neighborhood include extensions of C-2 zoning and addition of C-1 zoning along Broadway and extension of C-1 zoning along Verona Avenue.
Port – No recommended changes in the Port Neighborhood.
University Heights – Changes in the University Heights neighborhood include additional C-2 Zoning along the South Orange Avenue, Orange Avenue, and Central Avenue corridors in addition to C-1 infill areas between the corridors and adjacent to the Broad Street Station Redevelopment Plan.
Upper Clinton Hill – Changes in the Upper Clinton Hill neighborhood are the extension of C-2 zoning along the Clinton Avenue corridor with C-1 transitional areas several lots in from Clinton Avenue and along the perimeter of the South Bergen Street Redevelopment Area.
Upper Roseville – Changes in the Upper Roseville Area include adding C-2 zoning along the west side of the Park near the light rail station and addition of C-1 zoning along the Roseville Avenue and North 6th Street secondary corridors and around the perimeter of the C-2 areas.
Vailsburg – Changes in the Vailsburg Neighborhood include the extension of the C-2 zoning along 18th Avenue and Sanford Avenue with areas of C-1 zoning adjacent to the C-2 corridors along those avenues and South Orange Avenue.
Weequahic – Changes in the Weequahic Neighborhood include C-1 zoning along the perimeter of the South Bergen Street Redevelopment Plan.
West Side – Changes in the West Side Neighborhood include the replacement of the aging Kent Brenner Springfield Redevelopment Plan with standard zoning compatible with its surroundings. The Springfield Avenue, 16th Avenue, and South Orange Avenue become C-2 corridors and C-1 areas infill the space between them adjacent to West Side Park and Woodland Cemetery.
There have been mixed feelings about the proposed changes among residents.
City officials have been holding public meetings about the proposed changes throughout each ward in Newark. Some residents have said they’re concerned that the plan will mean denser development in a city that is already the most populated place in New Jersey.
A final meeting is scheduled in the Central Ward at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 5 at Central High School, 246 Eighteenth Avenue. Residents can also email feedback to [email protected]. The comment period will close on June 16 at 5p.m.
Watch a video of the May 25 meeting in the North Ward below.
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