The state of New Jersey wants to make North Arlington its guinea pig for Mobility and Community Form.
New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) director of statewide planning Brent Barnes came to the June 12 meeting of the mayor and council with a plan for North Arlington. Barnes jokingly told the governing body, "I’m from the government and I’m here to help."
After the chuckles from the residents in attendance subsided, the governing body listened with a healthy skepticism as Barnes and Debbie Lawlor from the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) explained how the plan works.
Zoning is often focused on buildings and automobile-oriented matters, said Barnes. But now the DOT and the NJMC want to stress mixed-use development and walkable communities, creating "places" rather than simply buildings.
The tenets of the program include improving circulation, making downtowns more walkable and driveable, making parking more efficient, improving transit hubs, creating cohesive neighborhoods, improving public spaces and working with the natural environment.
"I’m trying to figure out ways to get people out of their cars by creating communities that don’t rely on cars," said Barnes.
The borough of Haddonfield in southern Jersey has implemented what Barnes calls "form-based" zoning codes in its downtown. Chesterfield Township, also in southern Jersey, has a similar code. The DOT has also worked with Edison Township on five redevelopment projects using form-based zoning principals.
The program is funded through federal and state dollars and all North Arlington must provide is a willingness to participate and access to materials.
The borough signed on to participate, but may pull out of the program at any time, said Barnes. The NJMC will pitch in as well. "We are offering our services free of charge," said Lawlor. "The Meadowlands is very interested and very willing to help."
North Arlington was selected by the DOT after DOT officials contacted the Meadowlands Commission in search of a spot to implement its program in a northern New Jersey town. As a Meadowlands town transected by a state highway, Route 17, also known as Ridge Road, North Arlington was a perfect fit, according to Lawlor.
The focus of the program will be Ridge Road, the borough’s main thoroughfare.
"We need as much help as we can to try and revitalize Ridge Road," said council president Steve Tanelli.
Councilman Richard Hughes also suggested a revitalization of Route 7, also known as the Belleville Turnpike. The Pike, as it is referred to locally, straddles the North Arlington-Kearny border and an effort to revitalize the road would require a joint effort from the towns. Barnes said the DOT would look into that as well.
Ideas on how to improve mobility in North Arlington would require an effort from everyone in the community, said Barnes. "We have designed this idea to get planners out of the way. Citizens know best what to do with their community," he said.
High school students, police officers, teachers and business owners will be encouraged to attend meetings to come up with ways to make the town more pedestrian-friendly. "You invite as many people as possible to come," said Lawlor.
Councilman Joe Bianchi was concerned about how implementation of the program will be funded. "Eventually, it comes down to the money. You can plan and plan and plan, but somebody’s gotta pay for it," he said.
