NJ rule pushes for building more housing (right); NJ looks to deregulate home-based businesses; Incentivizing affordable transit-friendly housing; Investing in America; Achieving the 15-minute city (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
The New Jersey Rule That’s Pushing Cities to Build More Housing
Jared Brey, Governing, September 17 2024
Nine New Jersey cities have filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that codifies aspects of the Mount Laurel Doctrine, which mandates local affordable housing contributions. This doctrine, which has been more strictly enforced recently, requires municipalities to plan for multifamily and low-income housing to address regional needs. Despite the increased production of affordable housing, resistance persists, particularly from wealthier and whiter municipalities that argue the new law exceeds the doctrine’s original scope.
NJ TOD News
JERSEY CITY—Jersey City Officials Cut the Ribbon on Fairview Heights, Which Has 52 Affordable Units
John Heinis, Hudson County View, September 16 2024 The new Fairview Heights mixed-income housing complex has opened in Jersey City’s McGinley Square, with 52 of its 92 units designated as affordable housing. Mayor Steven Fulop emphasized its role in expanding affordable housing and access to transit. Developed by The Community Builders (TCB), the team also converted a former YMCA into 111 apartments in 2022. The project, revived from pandemic delays, was funded through a mix of private and public sources, including the Affordable Housing Gap Subsidy Program.
New Jersey Moves to Deregulate Home-Based Businesses
Scott Beyer, Catalyst, September 16 2024
The New Jersey state legislature has advanced the Home Business Job Creation Act, which would allow homeowners to operate businesses from their homes without municipal zoning approval, pending state senate approval. This reform aims to reduce entry barriers for entrepreneurs and foster walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods by making it easier to start home-based businesses. Critics argue that the bill undermines local control and may increase traffic, but supporters believe it will unlock opportunities and support economic growth by lowering costs for small-scale entrepreneurs.
JERSEY CITY—Infrastructure Department Boosts the Public Realm
Robert Steuteville, Center for New Urbanism, September 9 2024
Nearly 25 miles of protected bike lanes and new park spaces have been developed so far, thanks to Jersey City’s innovative Department of Infrastructure. The City has embraced elements of Tactical Urbanism, a strategy that promotes quick, cost-effective improvements such as transforming underutilized areas into pedestrian plazas and enhancing pedestrian safety. As a result, 57 percent of residents now walk, bike, or take transit to work, benefiting many low-income and minority households. In addition to achieving zero traffic fatalities in 2022, these ongoing efforts are positioning Jersey City as a national model for livability.
Transit and Equity News
NORTH CAROLINA—Shopping, Condos, Affordable Housing in Vision for Old Durham Police Headquarters
Destinee Patterson, WRAL News, September 19 2024
A mixed-use, mixed-income complex is set to replace the former Durham Police headquarters. The four-acre development, located across from Amtrak’s Durham Station, will feature retail, office space, and an incubator for women and minority entrepreneurs. The project includes 92 affordable units and 26 condos, targeting incomes between 30 and 60 percent of Durham’s median income. The site holds historical significance, with many recognizing the current structure as the state’s first Miesian skyscraper. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with projected costs reaching up to $300 million.
CALIFORNIA—Berkeley Approves Ashby Bart Development, Affordable Housing Plan
Ayah Ali-Ahmad, The Daily Californian, September 19 2024
Berkeley and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) have finalized an agreement to develop hundreds of new housing units near Ashby Station, emphasizing affordable, high-density, and mixed-use development. The project will ensure at least 35 percent of new units are affordable, with 50 percent of the first 602 units on the West Lot designated as affordable and will include permanent Berkeley Flea Market space and 5,000 sq. ft. for community organizations. It also addresses historical grievances by incorporating stakeholder input and adjusting parking to support transit-oriented goals.
Incentivizing Housing That Is Affordable, Sustainable, and Transit-Accessible
Kevin DeGood, Jasia Smith, Leo Banks, and Jumana Dhanerawala, Center for American Progress, September 19 2024
This report by the Center for American Progress examines reforms to federal programs aimed at expanding affordable, sustainable, and transit-accessible housing. Led by Kevin DeGood, the researchers argue that housing affordability and climate challenges are intertwined, requiring comprehensive federal policy solutions. They propose several key reforms to ensure federal investments prioritize all-electric housing and transit-oriented development, including changes to tax credits, transit grants, and land use regulations.
Regional and National TOD News
Missing Middle Housing Opponents Are Missing Important Facts. Here’s What They Need to Know.
Danielle Arigoni and Dan Parolek, Next City, September 19 2024
A new NIMBY lawsuit is challenging Arlington, Virginia’s Missing Middle Housing policy, with opponents arguing it will worsen traffic and strain local infrastructure. The policy promotes denser housing, like townhouses and duplexes, in single-family zones to address the housing shortage and offer more options for an aging population. The case’s outcome could have national implications, particularly in states like Minnesota and California, facing similar legal battles over housing policy.
CONNECTICUT—New Urban Plan for Prominent Amtrak Site
Robert Steuteville, Public Square, September 18 2024
A recent charrette focused on plans for Union Square, an eight-acre redevelopment near Union Station in New Haven. The project calls for a mixed-use development with 1,000 to 2,500 housing units, public squares, and community spaces. The site, formerly home to the Church Street South public housing complex, was condemned in 2015 and demolished in 2018 due to crime and poor conditions. Known for its urban planning challenges, New Haven has seen previous redevelopment attempts for this location fail. Displaced tenants from Church Street South and nearby public housing will be guaranteed the opportunity to move into the new development.
The project is now moving toward formal approval and construction.
INVESTING IN AMERICA: Biden-Harris Administration Continues Action to Increase Housing Production, Support Transit-Oriented Development, Explore Innovative Ideas for Creating Public Value from Underutilized Properties
Press Release, US Department of Transportation, September 17 2024
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced nearly $50 million in grants for transit-oriented and downtown redevelopment projects. More than 45 awardees were selected through the Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program (IFACGP), part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding includes $2 million for the redevelopment of Kennedy Plaza in Providence, RI, into a mixed-use space, and $1 million to assess city-owned land for potential TOD in New Rochelle, NY. The Biden Administration aims to use the program to foster public-private partnerships to help address the national housing shortage.
INDIANA—Collaborative Housing Project Breaks Ground in Indy’s Near North Side
Jill Sheridan, WFYI, September 17 2024
A former dry cleaners near the IndyGo Red Line in North Indianapolis is set to be transformed into workforce housing. Located at the corner of Illinois and 22nd Streets, the project will include 20 townhouses and duplexes for families earning 80 to 120 percent of the area’s median income (AMI). The site requires environmental remediation and will be developed in partnership with the City, Near North Development Corporation, Indiana University Health, and other investors. Pending zoning approval, the project aims to turn an abandoned brownfield into a valuable neighborhood asset.
The YIMBY Push for Multifamily Housing Hits a ‘Nope’ From Homeowners
Robbie Sequeira, New Jersey Monitor, September 16 2024
Recent efforts to reform zoning laws and encourage multifamily housing have faced significant pushback, as opponents raise concerns about traffic, infrastructure, and neighborhood character. For instance, in Montgomery County, Maryland, proposed zoning changes aimed at increasing housing density have met with resistance from residents concerned about the impact on their neighborhoods. Despite early enthusiasm for the “yes-in-my-backyard” movement, legal challenges and resistance from homeowners have slowed progress, highlighting the tension between advancing housing affordability and preserving established community values.
A Map That Visualizes Walkable Neighborhoods Across the US
Laura Bliss, Bloomberg, September 11 2024
Geographer Nat Henry developed Close, an interactive web map that measures walkability, transit accessibility, and bike-friendly areas across the U.S. The project began with Henry’s goal to assess how those without a car could access essential needs such as grocery stores, schools, and parks. Starting in Seattle, Henry utilized GTFS files to track transit arrival and departure times and relied on Overture Maps to identify key businesses like supermarkets. Since its nationwide launch in April 2024, Close has gained popularity among planning enthusiasts and nonprofit advocacy groups, reflecting the growing demand for dense, walkable neighborhoods.
International TOD News
INDIA—Despite Metro Expansion, Long Commutes and Traffic Congestion Plague Bengaluru’s Workforce: Report
V Bhagya Subhashini, Swarajya, September 18 2024
Despite the rapid expansion of public transit in Bengaluru, only 28 percent of jobs will be located within 500 meters of rail stations. A report by the nonprofit WRI India highlights that the city’s conditions fall short of global benchmarks, such as those in Hong Kong. The report calls for transit-oriented development (TOD) to better connect job centers with transit stops, suggesting incentives to encourage businesses to locate near metro stations. By focusing growth within the city’s core, the recommendations aim to curb sprawl, shorten commutes, and align Bengaluru’s development with international standards.
Where in the World Is Closest to Becoming a ‘15-Minute City’?
Agence France Presse, RFI, September 16 2024
Barcelona, Milan, and Paris are the closest cities to achieving the 15-minute city model, according to a recent study in Nature Cities. After analyzing 10,000 cities, researchers found that car-dependent cities like Atlanta and Los Angeles lag behind. The study attributes this gap to cultural differences, with Europeans more accepting of dense housing while Americans often prefer single-family homes with large yards. Lead author Matteo Bruno also debunked misconceptions about the 15-minute city concept, clarifying that it aims to improve accessibility and livability, not restrict movement.
CANADA—Sokeyah Housing Development Opens 104 Units for Local Indigenous Peoples in Surrey
Manjit Toor, The Runner, September 13 2024
Phase two of the Sohkeyah development in Surrey has recently opened, adding 104 affordable housing units specifically for Indigenous individuals, families, and Elders. Funded by the province of British Columbia’s CAN$19-billion (US$14.06 billion) housing investment program and managed by the Kekinow Native Housing Society, this phase includes 44 units in a three-story building and 66 in a four-story building. This development supports B.C.’s broader initiative to provide 20,000 affordable rental homes and addresses the specific housing needs of Indigenous communities while contributing to the province’s reconciliation efforts. The project is located across the street from a stop on TransLink’s 325 bus, 1 km (0.6 miles) from stops on the R1 express bus, and routes 321 and 394, and 1.3 km (0.8 miles) from the Newton Exchange, which is served by an additional express bus route and nine other routes.