Stakeholders’ Advisory Working Group
Land Use Group Meeting, June 5, 2007

The Land Use SAWG meeting was held on June 5, 2007 at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Nanuet, Rockland County, NY. View minutes of the meeting here (PDF, 32 KB).

The presentation can be viewed in the following formats:

Introductory slide.

]

This slide explains how we are establishing existing conditions and current projections to predict future conditions and discusses the Federal requirement that we use regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (in our case NYMTC) forecasts.

What we know.

Our current data shows a 30-mile corridor with complex land uses. Our
current data include population and employment growth and projections. The Journey-to-work data show high automobile dependency. The corridor has limited transit networks, especially east-west. We show anticipated changes such as demographics shifts, housing, water supply, etc.

Geographic information system (GIS) from County Planning Department was updated in 2005. This slide shows a one-mile study corridor overlaid on land uses as depicted in the GIS. The data were field-checked in areas of special focus/impact.

GIS from County Planning Department in 1996, currently being updated. This slide shows a one-mile study corridor overlaid on land uses as depicted in the GIS. The data were field-checked in areas of special focus/impact.

Graph depicts high auto dependency in Orange (87.6%), Rockland (84.8%), and Westchester (71.1%) counties and low transit use in Rockland (8.2 %), Westchester (20.4%). Shows that demographics, employment and infrastructure as major drivers of land use.

Graph depicts population growth between 1990 and 2005. Note population growth in region, especially New York City. Orange, Rockland and Westchester all experienced steady growth.

Graph shows population growth for Rockland: 27,441 (10.3%); Westchester: 65,941 (7.5%); Orange: 65,246 (21.2%).

Slide shows percent changes in the region differentiating 1990-2000 from 2000-2005. Note declining rates of growth in Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau. Growth continues in Orange.

The slide shows projections by county in the region in 5-year intervals.
Rockland is projected to increase by 71,555, Westchester by 43,722, and Orange by 156,741.

Slide shows 23.9% growth in Rockland, 4.5% in Westchester; 41.7% in Orange.

Map shows growth by traffic zones in region.

We will predict to 2035 (NYMTC update to 2040 expected in 2007). The numbers show substantial growth in region and in Rockland (27,110), Westchester (83,673), and Orange (49,935).

Map shows growth by traffic zones in the region.

This slide discusses the state, county and local roles, and notes the
multiple local governments in the Corridor.

Map shows Rockland municipalities.

Map shows Westchester municipalities.

Slide shows list of tools, most based on “police power”.
Reasons for intervention focus on negative spillover effects and market failures.

Rockland’s River to Ridge (2001) never formally adopted; new effort to revise is underway. Westchester’s Patterns (1996) adopted and in process of being updated. Local plans a complex mosaic – hard to interpret, often out of date, not easy to change.

The slide shows an example of a zoning map in Suffern showing study area.
The study team has these for the entire Corridor.

The slide shows an example of a zoning map (Suffern) overlaid on land use map, showing general conformity but many nonconforming elements also.

The slide shows percentages allocated to major use categories, e.g., residential uses at 30%.

The map is used to point out traditional centers, dispersed patterns of low-density residential, limited commercial corridors, and industrial activities.

The slide lists highlights of towns’ patterns and policies.

River to Ridge is an ambitious 2001 effort.

Slide lists highlights of the Rockland County Vision Plan.

This example from the County Plan looks at diversity of corridors and sets future policies, from intensive business to open space corridors.

Extracts from County Plan in the three towns in the Corridor.

The slide shows highlights of the county’s land use and percentages to major categories.

Slide used to refer to land use categories and percentages.

Slide used to refer to land use shown in previous slide.

Plan is in the process of being updated, expected 2008. This slide highlights county policies, e.g., a transit-oriented development (TOD) focus.

Slide of Patterns land use plan in Westchester.

Highlights of some local policies (e.g., White Plains as regional growth center).

Title Page: How We’re Using It.

To better understand county and local policies. Refine project alternatives, e.g., improve local “fit,” avoid acquisitions, optimize station locations.

Slide shows Suffern with two commuter rail alignments. Option on south side of Thruway would impact Wayne Avenue, prompting reconsideration of use of Piermont Line.

In Fairview/Greenburgh, an LRT alternative alignment on the south side of I-287 could impact Yosemite Park and the Fairview neighborhood, so the proposed alignment was moved to the north side of I-287, avoiding these impacts.

Slide discusses more updated information on local policies/plans, other known projects, and local nuances and issues to be taken into account.

Stakeholder insights – unanticipated issues and opportunities, on-going feedback on options, and refining the project to maximize benefits.

What’s next?