Contact: Mayor Frank Huttle P: 201-871-6666 C: 201-906-5638 E-mail: frankhuttle@englewoodmayor.com Ambitious Englewood Master Plan Vision Poised to Come to Life as Huttle Presents City Council with Proposed Zoning Changes
(ENGLEWOOD) The ambitious vision laid out in Englewoods new Master Plan will be one step closer to reality on Tuesday when Mayor Frank Huttle III formally presents the City Council with zoning ordinance revisions that will enable the city to begin implementing the recommendations contained in the new plan.
Our Master Plan and our zoning codes are intrinsically linked, said Huttle. With the adoption of these new zoning ordinances, essentially the plan will be shifting from paper to actual policies. A vibrant new downtown, job-creating, mixed-use industrial space, new residential offerings combined with the historic preservation of existing homes all of these visions rely on these zoning changes to be brought to life.
In March, the Englewood Planning Board formally adopted the Master Plan, capping off an extensive, two-year planning process that incorporated unprecedented community input to create a rich and enduring blueprint for the citys future.
The resulting plan is the product of on-the-ground research and a robust public process that establishes a proactive approach to managing future development, preserving community character and guiding public and private investments.
The new plan incorporates a number of key elements, or turning points, that will significantly boost the quality of life in the five-square mile city, including, among other things: making light rail service a reality, creating a mix of retail, residential, health care and offices to enhance the downtown, encourage entrepreneurship by rezoning the Englewood South area for mixed industrial use, preserving the historic character of residential neighborhoods
To that end, the city re-engaged the lead consultant who developed the Master Plan in order to analyze these elements and the citys existing zoning code and select an appropriate mix of land uses and develop design standards that will: lead to investment and reinvestment that fits appropriately within Englewoods blocks, attract more customers and visitors to Englewood, and; improve services, offerings, and employment opportunities for existing and future residents.
Among the major zoning changes that will be proposed tomorrow, the most substantial and critical is the revision of the Central Business District (CBD), which will help revitalize commerce, spur investment, and attract more vitality to the downtown, especially Palisade Avenue.
To better fit the downtowns role as a place for living, working, entertainment, and socialization, the CBD has been renamed the Downtown Districts. Three Downtown Districts and their respective sub-districts will replace the CBD-1, CBD-2, and CBD-3 designations in an effort to generate more reinvestment along West Palisade Avenue properties to match the vitality of East Palisade Avenue.
Additionally, new rules and requirements for parking will balance the need to provide off-street with reasonable consideration of alternatives to driving, so that the on-street parking is not overwhelmed with demand.
Another major zoning change proposal is for the Light Industrial (L-I) District, which has been completely revamped to permit modern uses that suit todays creative entrepreneurs and industries.
Englewood is in a highly-favorable location with access to major highways and proximity to New York City. While many of our industrial buildings are not nearly spacious enough to accommodate large distribution facilities that are popping up all over the state, the existing stock is desirable for smaller enterprises and ripe for creative reconfiguration and reuse. Furthermore there is an opportunity to promote the development of certain types of healthcare uses within this district to complement those in other parts of the city, added Huttle.
Design standards have also been put in place to create a lively, identifiable public realm that celebrates South Englewoods local enterprises and industries. The changes will help usher in a cleaner, green, well-lit, and energetic environment to replace the dark and desolate landscape that dominates areas such as South Van Brunt Street or South Dean Street.
Another change being introduced is a work/live district overlay within parts of the Light Industrial District to create a transition between residential and industrial properties and to expand opportunities for the reuse of buildings. This move is designed to draw creative people who need a place to practice and fine-tune their craft.
After Huttles presentation at the 7:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, the City Council is expected to introduce the zoning change ordinances, which must then be voted on at a subsequent meeting.
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