PRELIMINARY PROGRAM - FRIDAY, JANUARY 24
8:00am - 9:15am: Registration, Breakfast and Opening Remarks
Session FA0: Annual Challenge to the Profession
[AICP CM]
[AICP CM]
- James W. Hughes, Ph.D., Dean, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, Rutgers University
9:30am - 11:00am:
Session FB1: Suburban Transformation with Transit, Mixed-Use & Density, Lessons from Beyond the Delaware
[AICP CM]
What can suburban communities in New Jersey learn from other regions that have implemented bold visions that dramatically increase transit, mixed-use and density? This session will feature presenters highlighting suburban transformations in the Washington DC metro area, metropolitan Boston and the Greater Toronto Area. Case studies from each region will be related to similar contexts in New Jersey to help demonstrate the applicability for session attendees. Presentations will summarize “lessons learned” including how support and opposition from elected officials and the public was addressed in order to build consensus
Session FC1: Planning for God, Managing Religious Uses
[AICP CM/Legal, CLE]
As recent headlines have reminded us, building churches is surprisingly controversial and divisive. What are the planning considerations in siting various types of religious institutions? How do we reconcile pluralism and religious tolerance with preservation of community character? How do we plan both for the steibel that serves a walking community and for the regional church that serves a dispersed population? What are the legal constraints under the RLUIPA, the First Amendment, and New Jersey land use law? This panel will report on recent NJ case law relating to challenges to zoning restrictions and the usefulness of the use variance process. Practitioners will share “best practices” and recommended approaches to developing planning support and structure for effective and fair zoning provisions.
Session FD1: Engagement
[AICP CM]
Learn how to integrate new tools for social engagement into your planning process. The panel will present recent examples of how they have used these tools and the impacts on the planning process and the plans themselves. Audience engagement encouraged!
Session FE1: Best Practices in Affordable Housing
[AICP CM]
Learn from experienced developers how to plan for, finance, construct, and market affordable housing in your community. Hear about challenges and opportunities of developing various housing types, including rental, for-sale and special needs housing, experiences of both for-profit and non-profit developers, leveraging of multiple funding sources, developing public-private partnerships, and how to appropriately integrate affordable housing into the neighborhood fabric. Panelists will discuss best practices and notable achievements of four (4) diverse projects, such as green and LEED features, transit access, connectivity to the neighborhood, and most importantly, the positive local impacts of affordable housing done The Right Way.
Session FF1: Exploring Applications of the New and Improved Cluster Tools
[AICP CM]
This session will explore the new provisions for noncontiguous cluster development and alternative uses for “preserved” lands authorized by amendments to the Municipal Land Use Law. Experienced practitioners will use hypothetical case studies to illustrate how to structure an effective noncontiguous cluster program to implement community goals while simultaneously creating development opportunities that are attractive to landowners and developers. The panel will compare the advantages and limitations of cluster compared to other tools including TDR and GDP’s.
Session FG1: Tools & Strategies to Achieve Resiliency
[AICP CM]
Roll up your sleeves and join this hearty discussion about new tools, strategies and best management practices to build and strengthen municipal resilience in NJ. A panel of experts will present over a dozen resiliency tools and actions, including community risk assessments, sea level rise mapping tools, social media strategies, rolling easements, model ordinances, elevating vernacular and historic structures, health impact assessments, and more. Also, learn about a new statewide program that connects communities in need of recovery or resiliency assistance with resources provided by government and non-governmental sources.
Session FH1: Opportunity Cost
[AICP CM]
Todd Poole will use a combination of case study and analytic methods to demonstrate that the consequences associated with indecision, concerning whether or not to commit public resources to a prospective redevelopment project, can be far more expensive than the investment itself.
Session FI1: Innovate to Mitigate: Improving Our Waterfront Communities
[AICP CM]
This session illustrates how planning responses to severe storm events can help communities fix longstanding deficiencies, improve public access to open space, provide for the restoration of degraded landscapes and habitats, and increase overall community resiliency. It will showcase several options for the highly-vulnerable Weber Avenue neighborhood in Sayreville: State-sponsored "buy-out", construction of a USACE-sponsored levee system, potential private sector redevelopment, parkland swaps and the potential creation of the Central Jersey Nature Preserve.
[AICP CM]
What can suburban communities in New Jersey learn from other regions that have implemented bold visions that dramatically increase transit, mixed-use and density? This session will feature presenters highlighting suburban transformations in the Washington DC metro area, metropolitan Boston and the Greater Toronto Area. Case studies from each region will be related to similar contexts in New Jersey to help demonstrate the applicability for session attendees. Presentations will summarize “lessons learned” including how support and opposition from elected officials and the public was addressed in order to build consensus
- Jim Constantine, PP, Principal, Looney Ricks Kiss (Princeton)
- Russell A. Archambault, Vice President & Principal, RKG Associates, Inc.
- Wai Ying Di Giorgio, BLA, OALA, Partner, the Planning Partnership
Session FC1: Planning for God, Managing Religious Uses
[AICP CM/Legal, CLE]
As recent headlines have reminded us, building churches is surprisingly controversial and divisive. What are the planning considerations in siting various types of religious institutions? How do we reconcile pluralism and religious tolerance with preservation of community character? How do we plan both for the steibel that serves a walking community and for the regional church that serves a dispersed population? What are the legal constraints under the RLUIPA, the First Amendment, and New Jersey land use law? This panel will report on recent NJ case law relating to challenges to zoning restrictions and the usefulness of the use variance process. Practitioners will share “best practices” and recommended approaches to developing planning support and structure for effective and fair zoning provisions.
- Stephen M. Eisdorfer, Esquire, Hill Wallack LLP
- Scarlett Doyle, PP, John Cilo, Jr. Associates
- Peter Steck, PP
- Carlos Rodrigues, AICP/PP, Design Solutions for a Crowded Planet
Session FD1: Engagement
[AICP CM]
Learn how to integrate new tools for social engagement into your planning process. The panel will present recent examples of how they have used these tools and the impacts on the planning process and the plans themselves. Audience engagement encouraged!
- Frank Hebbert, Director, OpenPlans
- Elaine Clisham, Director of Communications, New Jersey Future
- Michelle Lee, Co-founder & CEO, Textizen
- Alex Gilliam, Founder, Public Workshop
Session FE1: Best Practices in Affordable Housing
[AICP CM]
Learn from experienced developers how to plan for, finance, construct, and market affordable housing in your community. Hear about challenges and opportunities of developing various housing types, including rental, for-sale and special needs housing, experiences of both for-profit and non-profit developers, leveraging of multiple funding sources, developing public-private partnerships, and how to appropriately integrate affordable housing into the neighborhood fabric. Panelists will discuss best practices and notable achievements of four (4) diverse projects, such as green and LEED features, transit access, connectivity to the neighborhood, and most importantly, the positive local impacts of affordable housing done The Right Way.
- Anthony L. Marchetta, Executive Director, NJHMFA
- Ed Martoglio, Principal, RPM Development Group
- Sean Closkey, President, The Reinvestment Fund Development Partners
- Donna Blaze, CEO, Affordable Housing Alliance
Session FF1: Exploring Applications of the New and Improved Cluster Tools
[AICP CM]
This session will explore the new provisions for noncontiguous cluster development and alternative uses for “preserved” lands authorized by amendments to the Municipal Land Use Law. Experienced practitioners will use hypothetical case studies to illustrate how to structure an effective noncontiguous cluster program to implement community goals while simultaneously creating development opportunities that are attractive to landowners and developers. The panel will compare the advantages and limitations of cluster compared to other tools including TDR and GDP’s.
- Philip B. Caton, AICP/PP, Principal, Clarke Caton Hintz
- William F. Harrison, Esquire, Genova Burns Giantomasi Webster
- James E. Hartling, Partner, Urban Partners
- Chris Sturm, Senior Director of State Policy, New Jersey Future
Session FG1: Tools & Strategies to Achieve Resiliency
[AICP CM]
Roll up your sleeves and join this hearty discussion about new tools, strategies and best management practices to build and strengthen municipal resilience in NJ. A panel of experts will present over a dozen resiliency tools and actions, including community risk assessments, sea level rise mapping tools, social media strategies, rolling easements, model ordinances, elevating vernacular and historic structures, health impact assessments, and more. Also, learn about a new statewide program that connects communities in need of recovery or resiliency assistance with resources provided by government and non-governmental sources.
- Linda Weber, PP, AICP, Resiliency Program Director, Sustainability Institute, The College of New Jersey
- Lisa Auermuller, Watershed Coordinator, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Stacy Perrine, PP, AICP, Senior Research Associate, Environmental Analysis & Communication Group, Rutgers University
- Roderick Scott, Flood Hazard Mitigation Specialist, L & R Resources, LLC
- Justin Auciello, Founder/Editor of Jersey Shore Hurricane News
Session FH1: Opportunity Cost
[AICP CM]
Todd Poole will use a combination of case study and analytic methods to demonstrate that the consequences associated with indecision, concerning whether or not to commit public resources to a prospective redevelopment project, can be far more expensive than the investment itself.
- Todd J. Poole, EDFP, President of 4ward Planning, Inc.
Session FI1: Innovate to Mitigate: Improving Our Waterfront Communities
[AICP CM]
This session illustrates how planning responses to severe storm events can help communities fix longstanding deficiencies, improve public access to open space, provide for the restoration of degraded landscapes and habitats, and increase overall community resiliency. It will showcase several options for the highly-vulnerable Weber Avenue neighborhood in Sayreville: State-sponsored "buy-out", construction of a USACE-sponsored levee system, potential private sector redevelopment, parkland swaps and the potential creation of the Central Jersey Nature Preserve.
- Anton Nelessen, PP, CNU, Professor & Director of Undergraduate Program, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
- Merisa Gilman – MCRP Candidate, Bloustein School
- Bo Kyung Choi – MCRP Candidate, Bloustein School
- Sara Yildirm – MLA Candidate, Department of Landscape Architecture
- Rebecca Cook – MLA Candidate, Department of Landscape Architecture
11:15am-12:45pm
Session FB2: Can Form-Based Codes Get Better Buildings? Better Communities?
[AICP CM]
Planners are excited about Form-Based Codes, but the use of design regulations too often results in uninspiring built forms. This session will help planners understand a wide spectrum of building and architectural typologies including many forms that are prevalent in other regions, but not permitted by typical New Jersey zoning codes. Typologies will range from tiny cottages and accessory apartments at one end of the spectrum to soaring high-rises and expansive warehouses at the other. Case studies will explore how planners are attempting to guide the form of small lot single-family homes, multi-family and mixed-use building types in a range of community settings.
Session FC2: Sustainability & Economic Competitiveness: Global Initiatives & Local Implementation
[AICP CM]
Companies and governments from the local to the global levels have come to realize that they must incorporate the principles of sustainability in their understandings of economic competitiveness. New policies and initiatives from implementing "cradle to cradle" production to new approaches to Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) will be discussed.
Session FD2: Web-based Geospatial Tools for Sustainable Planning
[AICP CM]
Browser-based Geospatial tools are allowing GIS and other data to be easily accessed by non-GIS experts to support local decision-making. The ease of use and real-time accessibility of these tools allow them to be used live during meetings or in the field via mobile computing devices. These free and open GIS tools can provide local-level support for planners including: managing land development, assessing land use change impacts, risk management, climate change adaptation, demographic change analysis, watershed management, and farmland preservation among others. This panel of leading GIS researchers and practitioners will demo a number of recently developed geospatial applications developed in their prospective shops, which have the potential to significantly augment the local planning and decision-making process.
Session FE2: Practical Redevelopment
[AICP CM]
Getting positive and timely results from redevelopment takes more than knowing the process. Join a group of seasoned practitioners to review what worked and what didn't, and what new possibilities can be harnessed to achieve results.
Session FF2: Planning for Emerging Centers
[AICP CM]
Morristown became NJTPA’s partner in a pilot project for a combined Mobility and Community Form master plan element. This project creates a Streets Plan, a Community Form Plan, and a Plan for Places focusing on five development areas and roadway corridors to manage congestion and create walkable, bikeable, and livable urban and suburban spaces. Learn how resources were coordinated, the public involvement process, and the outcome of this pilot, that provides many lessons for integrating transportation and land use in local planning.
Session FG2: Big Ideas for a Small City: Building a Resilient & Sustainable Hoboken
[AICP CM]
Sandy brought 500 million gallons of water from the Hudson River into Hoboken, flooding nearly 80 percent of the city and leaving over 90 percent the Hoboken without power, causing more than $100 million in property damages to residences and economic losses to small businesses, as well as severe damage to critical community facilities and transit infrastructure. Hoboken bounced forward, and is now advancing some big ideas for long term resiliency, including a Strategic Recovery Planning Report with a roadmap for improving power supply systems, shoreline protection, stormwater management, hardening of critical facilities and infrastructure, and more resilient building codes. A key component is the Hoboken Green Infrastructure Strategic Plan, which recommends cost-effective and place-based, sustainable stormwater management strategies for the City. Join the panel to hear how this small city has embraced big ideas through a collaborative process.
Session FH2: Retail Planning 101: How to turn planning concepts into signed leases
[AICP CM]
Successful retail space can activate and enliven the surrounding streetscape so planners often look to incorporate ground floor retail into their planning efforts. Oftentimes however, specific spaces are designated for retail uses without first taking into account market demand, area demographics, and retail/restaurant operational requirements. This panel will shed light on what today's retailers are looking for when it comes to parking requirements, construction costs, store layouts and other key criteria, taking care to highlight how retailers’ site selection criteria varies in urban, suburban and rural markets. The panel, which includes a retail developer, town planner and store location specialist, will provide the tools and background needed to plan for retailers' needs, resulting in successful neighborhood plans.
Session FI2: Visualizing Responses to Sandy: Case Studies
[AICP CM]
"The NJ Sandy Recovery Fund has funded researchers at the Bloustein School to probe public opinions with respect to a number of possible futures that may come about in response to the new conditions and regulatory requirements adopted in the aftermath of Sandy. Engineered flood protection systems, public sector ""buy-outs"" and the requirements to elevate residential and commercial structures will all change the ""look and feel"" of the affected communities significantly. What are the most appropriate responses? How will each type of response look and feel like? What trade-offs are involved? What are the consequences for the affected propert-owners and the town? Which responses are most consistent with sound planning principles? The panel will discuss three towns with different conditions (tidal estuary, bay and ocean) to explore these issues.
[AICP CM]
Planners are excited about Form-Based Codes, but the use of design regulations too often results in uninspiring built forms. This session will help planners understand a wide spectrum of building and architectural typologies including many forms that are prevalent in other regions, but not permitted by typical New Jersey zoning codes. Typologies will range from tiny cottages and accessory apartments at one end of the spectrum to soaring high-rises and expansive warehouses at the other. Case studies will explore how planners are attempting to guide the form of small lot single-family homes, multi-family and mixed-use building types in a range of community settings.
- Jim Constantine, PP, Principal, Looney Ricks Kiss (Princeton)
- Michael DiGeronimo, AICP/PP, Senior Planner/Town Architect, Looney Ricks Kiss
- Gonzalo Echeverria, Senior Urban Designer, Looney Ricks Kiss
- Mark Cannuli, AICP/PP, Vice President of Development, Sharbell Development Corporation
Session FC2: Sustainability & Economic Competitiveness: Global Initiatives & Local Implementation
[AICP CM]
Companies and governments from the local to the global levels have come to realize that they must incorporate the principles of sustainability in their understandings of economic competitiveness. New policies and initiatives from implementing "cradle to cradle" production to new approaches to Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) will be discussed.
- Robin L. Murray, FAIA, PP, LEED BD+C, RLM Architecture (Former Research Director, Sustainability Institute).
- Matthew Polsky, Senior Fellow, ISE, Farleigh Dickenson University
- Robert Bzik, AICP/PP, Director of Planning, Somerset County
Session FD2: Web-based Geospatial Tools for Sustainable Planning
[AICP CM]
Browser-based Geospatial tools are allowing GIS and other data to be easily accessed by non-GIS experts to support local decision-making. The ease of use and real-time accessibility of these tools allow them to be used live during meetings or in the field via mobile computing devices. These free and open GIS tools can provide local-level support for planners including: managing land development, assessing land use change impacts, risk management, climate change adaptation, demographic change analysis, watershed management, and farmland preservation among others. This panel of leading GIS researchers and practitioners will demo a number of recently developed geospatial applications developed in their prospective shops, which have the potential to significantly augment the local planning and decision-making process.
- John Hasse, Department Chair, Geography & Environment, Rowan University
- John Reiser, Rowan University GeoLab
- Rick Lathrop, Rutgers University CRSSA
- Wansoo Im, Founder & President, VERTICES, LLC,
- Chris Pollard, Senior GIS Specialist, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Session FE2: Practical Redevelopment
[AICP CM]
Getting positive and timely results from redevelopment takes more than knowing the process. Join a group of seasoned practitioners to review what worked and what didn't, and what new possibilities can be harnessed to achieve results.
- M. James Maley, Esquire, Maley & Associates, PC
- Joe Brigandi, Jr., Administrator, Borough of Glassboro
- Phillip Rowan, President, Economic Development Associates, LLC
- Angelo Alberto, AICP/PP, AIA, Alberto & Associates, Inc.
Session FF2: Planning for Emerging Centers
[AICP CM]
Morristown became NJTPA’s partner in a pilot project for a combined Mobility and Community Form master plan element. This project creates a Streets Plan, a Community Form Plan, and a Plan for Places focusing on five development areas and roadway corridors to manage congestion and create walkable, bikeable, and livable urban and suburban spaces. Learn how resources were coordinated, the public involvement process, and the outcome of this pilot, that provides many lessons for integrating transportation and land use in local planning.
- Jeffrey Perlman, AICP, PP, LEED-AP, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority
- Phil Abramson, AICP, PP, Project Manager, Jonathan Rose Companies
- Adam Tecza, Planner/Urban Designer, Group Melvin Design
- Darius Sollohub, AIA, Associate Professor of Architecture, College of Architecture & Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Michael J. Viscardi, PP, AICP, LLA, NJ Transit
Session FG2: Big Ideas for a Small City: Building a Resilient & Sustainable Hoboken
[AICP CM]
Sandy brought 500 million gallons of water from the Hudson River into Hoboken, flooding nearly 80 percent of the city and leaving over 90 percent the Hoboken without power, causing more than $100 million in property damages to residences and economic losses to small businesses, as well as severe damage to critical community facilities and transit infrastructure. Hoboken bounced forward, and is now advancing some big ideas for long term resiliency, including a Strategic Recovery Planning Report with a roadmap for improving power supply systems, shoreline protection, stormwater management, hardening of critical facilities and infrastructure, and more resilient building codes. A key component is the Hoboken Green Infrastructure Strategic Plan, which recommends cost-effective and place-based, sustainable stormwater management strategies for the City. Join the panel to hear how this small city has embraced big ideas through a collaborative process.
- The Honorable Dawn Zimmer, Mayor, City of Hoboken
- Stephen Marks, AICP/PP, CFM, LEED GA, Assistant Business Administrator, City of Hoboken
- Niek Veraart, AICP, ASLA, Vice President, The Louis Berger Group
- Eric C. Y. Fang, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, Associate Principal, EE&K a Perkins Eastman Company
Session FH2: Retail Planning 101: How to turn planning concepts into signed leases
[AICP CM]
Successful retail space can activate and enliven the surrounding streetscape so planners often look to incorporate ground floor retail into their planning efforts. Oftentimes however, specific spaces are designated for retail uses without first taking into account market demand, area demographics, and retail/restaurant operational requirements. This panel will shed light on what today's retailers are looking for when it comes to parking requirements, construction costs, store layouts and other key criteria, taking care to highlight how retailers’ site selection criteria varies in urban, suburban and rural markets. The panel, which includes a retail developer, town planner and store location specialist, will provide the tools and background needed to plan for retailers' needs, resulting in successful neighborhood plans.
- Kate Coburn, Partner, HR&A Advisors, Inc.
- George H. Jacobs, President, Jacobs Enterprises
- Janice Talley, P.P., AICP, Director of Planning and Community Development, Township of Montclair, NJ
- Chase Welles, Executive Vice President, The Shopping Center Group
Session FI2: Visualizing Responses to Sandy: Case Studies
[AICP CM]
"The NJ Sandy Recovery Fund has funded researchers at the Bloustein School to probe public opinions with respect to a number of possible futures that may come about in response to the new conditions and regulatory requirements adopted in the aftermath of Sandy. Engineered flood protection systems, public sector ""buy-outs"" and the requirements to elevate residential and commercial structures will all change the ""look and feel"" of the affected communities significantly. What are the most appropriate responses? How will each type of response look and feel like? What trade-offs are involved? What are the consequences for the affected propert-owners and the town? Which responses are most consistent with sound planning principles? The panel will discuss three towns with different conditions (tidal estuary, bay and ocean) to explore these issues.
- Carlos Rodrigues, AICP/PP, Design Solutions for a Crowded Planet
- Anton Nelessen, PP, CNU, Professor & Director of Undergraduate Program, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
- Clinton Andrews, Associate Dean for Planning & New Initiatives, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
1:00pm - 3:00pm - Session FA3/Lunch & Keynote: Planning for Who? The Financial, Demographic and Economic Trends That Will Drive Housing Needs and Demand [AICP CM]
- Jeffrey G. Otteau, The Otteau Valuation Group
3:15pm - 5:15pm
Session FB4: Operator's Manual for Form-Based Codes
[AICP CM]
The Form-Based Code Guidebook - An Operator's Manual for New Jersey Planners, Administrators and Boards, funded by NJDOT's Mobility and Community Form program is about to be released. This nuts and bolts publication provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the state-of-the-art in form-based zoning in NJ, the experience with this technique to date, reasons why towns are adopting form-based codes, the mechanics of embedding form-based elements within a conventional code, emerging issues with code administration, and potential legal issues, including the key distinction between regulating "uses" and "structures" and whether deviations should be treated as "waivers" or "variances". Join our panel in a discussion of the manual and the many practical issues in using form-based requirements in our communities.
Session FC4: Scenario Planning: Buzzword or Tool for Planners & Decision-makers?
[AICP CM]
Join leading scenario planning practitioners to better understand the best uses for these powerful tools in creating robust plans that can stand the test of time and respond to multiple uncertainties. The panelists will address the role of scale (region or local), different types of planning scenarios, involving the public in using online tools, and the limitations of scenario planning.
Session FD4: Putting the Public Interest Back Into Planning: Stories from Practicing Professionals
[AICP CM]
Planning is unique among professions with its goal of serving the public interest and placing the public good above client, corporate, and even financial considerations. Both the AICP exam application and the professional code of ethics explicitly call out the critical role of the public interest in professional action and efforts. This session spotlights a group of New Jersey planning professionals who have taken the initiative to do exactly that‚ put the public interest back into planning.
Session FF4: Regional Planning on a Local Scale: Early Returns from the Demonstration Project Activities of the Together North Jersey Sustainable Communities Consortium
[AICP CM]
A US HUD Sustainable Communities planning grant is supporting a planning effort that charts a (hopefully) enlightened and agreed upon future course with the region's residents, employers, advocates, watchdogs and, yes, even the skeptics that - at its core - is about fostering equitable TOD across the region linked directly to the region's robust transit network. Panelists will report on early successes, actions and directions from the first tranche of local demonstration projects that have been COMPLETED. Come learn about the work of Together North Jersey.
Session FG4: Innovative Design in a Complex, Post-Sandy Environment
[AICP CM]
From the catastrophic event of Sandy emerged spirited new discussions and initiatives to increase resiliency in the built environment. The Rebuild By Design competition, commissioned by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), invited the world’s most talented design professionals to envision solutions that would increase resilience across the Sandy-affected region. View some of the designer’s concepts that address the complexity of systems and environments to produce innovative, resilient designs. Learn about the work of the New Jersey Institute of Technology and its proto-typologies that were developed from applied research and field-testing in post-Sandy New Jersey. Experience their 2-, 3- and 4-D designs that consider strategic and long-term interventions to be smarter than the storm
Session FH4: Redevelopment/Housing Bus Tour
[AICP CM]
Urban redevelopment has long been lauded for bringing prosperity to struggling areas, while simultaneously criticized for leaving behind the most vulnerable populations. The City of New Brunswick has gone through a redevelopment renaissance and has addressed this issue head on. Tour the City’s premier luxury and affordable housing developments with experienced development professionals and learn about unique opportunities and challenges to successful development. The panel will also discuss various funding sources including federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Fund for Restoration of Multifamily Housing, and the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Program, among others, as well as innovative techniques to build housing that meets your community’s needs.
[AICP CM]
The Form-Based Code Guidebook - An Operator's Manual for New Jersey Planners, Administrators and Boards, funded by NJDOT's Mobility and Community Form program is about to be released. This nuts and bolts publication provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the state-of-the-art in form-based zoning in NJ, the experience with this technique to date, reasons why towns are adopting form-based codes, the mechanics of embedding form-based elements within a conventional code, emerging issues with code administration, and potential legal issues, including the key distinction between regulating "uses" and "structures" and whether deviations should be treated as "waivers" or "variances". Join our panel in a discussion of the manual and the many practical issues in using form-based requirements in our communities.
- Andrew Swords, AICP/ PP, Director, Division of Statewide Planning, NJDOT
- Mark Keener, AIA, AICP/PP, Director of Urban Design, The RBA Group
- Carlos Rodrigues, AICP/PP, Design Solutions for a Crowded Planet
- Steven Tripp, Esquire, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer
Session FC4: Scenario Planning: Buzzword or Tool for Planners & Decision-makers?
[AICP CM]
Join leading scenario planning practitioners to better understand the best uses for these powerful tools in creating robust plans that can stand the test of time and respond to multiple uncertainties. The panelists will address the role of scale (region or local), different types of planning scenarios, involving the public in using online tools, and the limitations of scenario planning.
- David Heller, AICP/PP, Team Leader, Regional & Systems Planning, South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization
- Andrew Tracy, Transportation Planner, SJTPO
- Brett Fusco, Senior Transportation Planner DVRPC
- Zenobia Fields, Department Director of Planning, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority
Session FD4: Putting the Public Interest Back Into Planning: Stories from Practicing Professionals
[AICP CM]
Planning is unique among professions with its goal of serving the public interest and placing the public good above client, corporate, and even financial considerations. Both the AICP exam application and the professional code of ethics explicitly call out the critical role of the public interest in professional action and efforts. This session spotlights a group of New Jersey planning professionals who have taken the initiative to do exactly that‚ put the public interest back into planning.
- Peter Kremer, AICP/PP, Senior Supervising Planner, Parsons Brinckerhoff
- Dan Fatton, Trenton Recycling Revolution
- Tiffany R. Robinson, Senior Planner, The RBA Group
- Laura Torchio, AICP, Eat, Play, Live...Better Program Coordinator, Montclair State University
- Akram Abed, Manager, Camden Metro Area, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Session FF4: Regional Planning on a Local Scale: Early Returns from the Demonstration Project Activities of the Together North Jersey Sustainable Communities Consortium
[AICP CM]
A US HUD Sustainable Communities planning grant is supporting a planning effort that charts a (hopefully) enlightened and agreed upon future course with the region's residents, employers, advocates, watchdogs and, yes, even the skeptics that - at its core - is about fostering equitable TOD across the region linked directly to the region's robust transit network. Panelists will report on early successes, actions and directions from the first tranche of local demonstration projects that have been COMPLETED. Come learn about the work of Together North Jersey.
- Vivian Baker, Assistant Director, Transit Friendly Land Use & Development, NJ Transit
- Eric C. Y. Fang, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, Associate Principal, EE&K a Perkins Eastman
- Leigh Ann Hindenlang, PP/AICP, Senior Planner, City of Perth Amboy, Office of Economic and Community Development.
- Patrick Morrissy, Executive Director of HANDS Inc.
- Chris Phelan, President & CEO, Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
Session FG4: Innovative Design in a Complex, Post-Sandy Environment
[AICP CM]
From the catastrophic event of Sandy emerged spirited new discussions and initiatives to increase resiliency in the built environment. The Rebuild By Design competition, commissioned by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), invited the world’s most talented design professionals to envision solutions that would increase resilience across the Sandy-affected region. View some of the designer’s concepts that address the complexity of systems and environments to produce innovative, resilient designs. Learn about the work of the New Jersey Institute of Technology and its proto-typologies that were developed from applied research and field-testing in post-Sandy New Jersey. Experience their 2-, 3- and 4-D designs that consider strategic and long-term interventions to be smarter than the storm
- Linda Weber, AICP/PP, Resiliency Program Director, Sustainability Institute, The College of New Jersey and Sustainable Jersey
- Jamie Torres Springer, MPP, Partner, HR&A Advisors, Inc.
- Jason Hellendrung, ASLA, Principal, Sasaki Associates
- Thomas G. Dallessio AICP/PP, Director, Center for Resilient Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Session FH4: Redevelopment/Housing Bus Tour
[AICP CM]
Urban redevelopment has long been lauded for bringing prosperity to struggling areas, while simultaneously criticized for leaving behind the most vulnerable populations. The City of New Brunswick has gone through a redevelopment renaissance and has addressed this issue head on. Tour the City’s premier luxury and affordable housing developments with experienced development professionals and learn about unique opportunities and challenges to successful development. The panel will also discuss various funding sources including federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Fund for Restoration of Multifamily Housing, and the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Program, among others, as well as innovative techniques to build housing that meets your community’s needs.
- Anthony L. Marchetta, Executive Director, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency
- John H. Clarke, Executive Director, New Brunswick Housing and Redevelopment Authority
- Wasseem Boraie, Vice President, Boraie Development, LLC
- Timothy I. Henkel, Senior Vice President, Pennrose Properties, LLC