Trenton – In an effort to support mixed-use, transit-oriented development (TOD) and build upon the success of New Jersey’s Transit Village Initiative, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton that would establish an Enhanced Transit Village Program to better support and incentivize mixed-use development in close proximity to public transportation.

“For over 25 years our Transit Village Initiative has provided resources and logistical support to help municipalities revitalize their downtowns, improve mobility, and build new housing where it is most needed,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington), Chair of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. “But we should not rest on the laurels of previous success - by improving this program and offering more support to participating municipalities we can further enhance economic opportunity around transit hubs, reduce traffic congestion, and promote smart, sustainable growth.” 

The bill, S-4037, would establish the Enhanced Transit Village Program within the Office of Planning Advocacy which would be administered in conjunction with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to incentivize mixed-use development in close proximity to public transportation services, improve walkability and bikeability, increase the number of housing opportunities, and reduce reliance on automobiles, among other goals. The Office would administer the review and selection of municipalities that opt to apply for the program and provide logistical support to municipalities to assist in implementing the program. The DOT would be responsible for infrastructure grants and other transportation infrastructure components of the program. 

The Office would be required to develop an application process for transit village municipalities to apply to the program. The application would need to demonstrate a willingness on the part of the municipality to comply with the requirements of the program, a commitment to annually provide performance metrics and progress to the Office, proof of the adoption of a TOD plan that is compliant with smart growth requirements, as well as other factors.  

Smart growth requirements that Enhanced Transit Villages would need to comply with under the bill would include the following:

•    30 percent of residential housing units must be affordable housing, with 10 percent being low-income housing units, 10 percent moderate-income, and 10 percent middle-income housing;

•    the development of active ground floor spaces, such as retail, service, or similar commercial activities along the frontage of any street with strong commercial character, as is feasible;

•    all streets and pedestrian pathways must be fully accessible to the general public and all developments be connected to the surrounding street network to promote pedestrian circulation;

•    all residential units must satisfy energy efficiency standards; and

•    no more than 25 percent of residential housing units are to be restricted for occupancy based on the age of an occupant. 

Enhanced Transit Villages would be given priority to receive any funds used to implement the affordable housing goals of the state for the purpose of meeting the 30 percent affordable housing requirement. In addition, the bill provides that the costs of the planning and implementation of the transportation infrastructure aspects of the program be funded by an appropriation of $25,000,000. 

The legislation was advanced in a unanimous vote. 

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