A Vision for South Avenue

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A Vision for South Avenue

• Borough of Fanwood
• Union County, NJ

March 30, 2006
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Agenda

• Results of Prior Visioning Meetings
• Preliminary Vision Plan
• Public Input
• Implementation of the Vision
• TDR Discussion
• Next Steps

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Primary Objectives

• Revitalize South Avenue Corridor
• Establish and Implement the Communitys Vision
• Determine if There is Sufficient Development
  Potential to Make TDR Program Work
• Preserve and Protect Historic District and Other
  Historic Properties in the Borough

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Receiving Area

• South Avenue Corridor
• Industrially Zoned Properties from Terrill Road
  to Sheelens Crossing
• Commercially Zoned Properties from Sheelens
  Crossing to Railroad Station
• Properties Across South Martine Avenue from
  Redevelopment District
• Not Existing Redevelopment District
• Key Issue--What is the Communitys Vision for
  this Area?

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Opportunities

• Potential to develop and revitalize underutilized
  properties
• Train station
• Proximity to redevelopment plan area and downtown
• Long linear shape provides opportunities for a
  variety of approaches and uses

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Opportunities

• Community need for shopping and services
• Route 28 access and visibility
• Regional economy strong
• Fanwood as a location
• Community consensus on a vision for the South
  Avenue Corridor
• TDR Program as incentive for revitalization

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Constraints

• Shallow depth of a majority of parcels
• Limited size of individual parcels
• Long linear shape of corridor
• Existing development pattern
• Highly trafficked corridor
• Not pedestrian friendly
• Limited parking
• Diversity of ownership

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Key Questions

• What type of development?
• How Much?
• Where should it be located?
• What should it look like?
• Want
• Dont Want

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What type of development?

• Some Residential
• Commercial That Meets Community Needs
• Services and Shopping
• Convenient
• Different than Downtown
• Transition out of Industrial
• Mixed-use
• Need for Some Public Space

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Residential

• Apartments over StoresMixed Use
• Affordable Senior Housing
• No Garden Apartments
• No High Rises

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Commercial

• Replace Industrial with Commercial
• A Variety of Uses
• Not the Same as Downtown Except Along Martine or
  Near Redevelopment
• Services and Shopping
• Convenient
• Buildings Should be Attractive

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Commercial

• Restaurants Limited to Area Along Martine and
  Near Downtown
• Need Grocery Store
• Upgrade AP
• Prefer Upscale Grocery Store
• Drug Store
• Hardware Store
• Bakery
• Nice Bar

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Commercial-Dont Want

• No Fast Food or Take-out Restaurants
• No More Nail Salons
• No Gas Stations
• No Video Stores
• No Strip Malls

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Other Uses

• Arts and Cultural Facilities
• Create a New Arts District
• Arts Galleries and Crafts
• Artists Lofts
• Theater or PlayhouseIssue Size of Parcel
  Parking
• Park with Bandstand
• Bigger Post Office with More Parking
• Professional Services

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Pedestrian Realm

• Make More Pedestrian Friendly
• Provide Sidewalks
• More Benches and Sitting Areas
• Street Trees and Lighting
• Improve Pedestrian Crossings (But, Not Too Many
  Crossings)
• Better Traffic Control at South Martine

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Where should it be located?

• Buildings Close to Street with Parking in
  RearBut Make Parking and Circulation Convenient
• Uses, Building Size and Design May Be Different
  along Sections of South Avenue and Martine Avenue
• More Residential Near Train Station
• Relationship to Surrounding Neighborhoods and
  Uses

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What should it look like?

• No Taller than 3 Stories
• A Mix of Architectural Styles
• Classic Architectural Styles (1910s-1940s)
• Victorian, But Not Disney
• Where Possible Match Redevelopment
  AreaEspecially Areas Close to Downtown
• No Flat RoofsInteresting Roof Lines
• Consistent Themes for Awnings Signs
• Entrances at Front of BuildingNot Rear

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Implementation

• Changes in Zoning
• Revise Permitted Uses and Standards
• Overlay Zone
• Redevelopment Plan
• Area in Need of Redevelopment
• Area in Need of Rehabilitation
• Provide Incentives via TDR

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LI District
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GC District

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CC District


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Public Outreach

• Business Professional Association Meeting April
  18th
• Further Outreach to Property Owners in Sending
  and Receiving Districts
• Public Meeting on April 27th
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Brochure Describing the TDR Program
• Borough Newsletter
• Borough Web Site
• www.visitfanwood.com

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Project Timeline
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Thank You