West Windsor Studio Update

1. West Windsor Studio Update Presentation of the Bloustein School Studio Class – Sean Meehan, Heather Strassberger, Sangwoo “Marty” Sung, Andrew Szwak, Michael Kazimir, Peter Lombardi, Joe McNulty Instructors: Professor Clint Andrews, Randy Solomon, Jennifer Senick

2. Introduction • Studio Timeline • Tour of West Windsor with municipal staff (1/26) • Literature review – best practices in sustainability planning • Empirical research- collection and analysis of WW and comparative data • Development of draft chapters for sustainability plan e.g., Goals, Objectives, Indicators, Targets, Strategies, Actions • Midpoint presentation (3/9) • Final presentation (4/27)

3. Outline of Report • 1. Introduction • 2. Sustainable Land Use • 3. Sustainable Circulation • 4. Sustainable Society • 5. Sustainable Natural Resources • 6. Sustainable Government • 7. Historic Preservation and Other

4. Sustainable Land Use Fostering development patterns that meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

5. Snapshot: Rapid Growth • Population Growth • Up 50% since 1990 Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing

6. Snapshot: Rapid Growth • Employment Growth • Tripled between 1997 and 2002 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census

7. Snapshot: Rapid Development The Estates at Princeton Junction Carnegie Center

8. Snapshot: Decisions Princeton Junction Station Wyeth Property

9. Challenges: Getting Around • Separation of land uses has produced automobile dependency

10. Challenges: Housing Demand • Employment opportunities have grown more rapidly than housing opportunities

11. Challenges: Live-Work Environments • A relatively high proportion of Township residents spend their workdays far from home

12. Challenges: Preserving Spaces • Rapid growth puts pressure on open space and farmland, but West Windsor is taking steps to preserve remaining resources

13. Solutions: Mixed-uses • A mixed-use overlay zone would allow the mixing of uses in areas designated by the Township • Small village centers • TOD: Mixed-uses at Princeton Junction Station West Stevenage, UK Minneapolis, MN

14. Solutions: Housing Options • Allow accessory units • Implement density bonus for moderately-priced units in mixed-use zones and TOD

15. Solutions: Green Design • Encourage green design in private development • Educate developers about advantages and incentives • Consider local incentives program

16. Sustainable Natural Resources “Natural resources are the backbone of growing communities. They include the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we live upon. Sustainable communities have full use of their natural resources, but do not detract from the ability of future residents to meet their needs.” -West Windsor Sustainability Plan

17. Air Quality • Mercer County experiences impaired air quality in one out of five days (19%) • Mercer County’s residents are exposed to more hazardous air pollutants than 90% of the U.S.

18. Water • 68% of West Windsor’s stream miles are impaired • 28% of the Township’s private wells have high Nitrogen levels

19. Biodiversity • West Windsor has a variety of viable wildlife habitats • However, these habitats are being consumed by development • Species diversity has been maintained • (more data forthcoming)

20. Renewable Energy • Mercer County is experiencing a gradual decline in greenhouse gas emissions • Renewable energy options are increasingly available (data forthcoming)

21. Challenges • Regional Scale of Natural Resource Issues • Complexity of Environ-mental Problems • Limited Influence of Municipal Government

22. Solutions • Regional Partnerships • Professional Partnerships with Environmental Initiatives • Local Innovations Morris Land Conservancy

23. Sustainable Circulation Circulation and transportation are an essential part of our daily lives, contributing both to our economy and the livability of our communities.

24. Indicators detailing a lack of transit options in West Windsor • Most West Windsor residents commute to work in a single occupant vehicle • Each of the three parking lots at the Princeton Junction station has an extensive waiting list for permits.

25. Indicators detailing a lack of transit options in West Windsor • West Windsor has a very high rate of vehicle ownership, a rate that has increased over time.

26. A potential strategy to address this problem A Community Shuttle Program • A community shuttle program could vastly increase transit options in West Windsor, allowing residents increased access to mass transit. • Successful community shuttle programs have already been implemented throughout New Jersey in communities such as Edison and Metuchen.

27. Park and School Service Population Parcel and Households in Service Catchment Area (Park and Recreation) Average Household Size = 3.0 Parcel and Households in Service Catchment Area (Schools)

28. SustainableSociety A sustainable society is educated about its environmental, social and economic impacts on the greater world, engaged in the political process, aware and supportive of the diversity within the community, has a sense of identity and cohesiveness, works together to safeguard its natural and man-made resources, and makes lifestyle choices which are healthy for both residents and the planet.

29. Sustainable Society Objectives • Develop and implement initiatives to educate the community about the movement toward sustainability. • Develop and implement [environmental] strategies that promote appreciation and understanding of the ethnic diversity of West Windsor residents and build social cohesion. • Develop and implement efforts to maintain community safety and order to prevent improper or unlawful degradation of community resources. • Develop and implement programs to improve the health and fitness of West Windsor residents by promoting healthy and sustainable recreational activities and lifestyle choices. • Involve community organizations, including religious, social, youth, senior and neighborhood groups, in the sustainability process

30. Voter turnout Neighborhood association participation Number of community, cultural and sustainability-focused events SAT scores Achievement of minority students Teen alcohol and drug use Participants in organized sports and fitness programs Age Curve of West Windsor Adults Recommended Indicators

31. Voter Participation • Participation in local elections indicates involvement in the community • Goal to buck nation-wide downward trend • Action: Look for creative ways to inform citizens about local issues

32. Education SAT scores excellent Minority achievement improving, but some groups lagging behind Action: Encourage senior citizens to volunteer in the schools and tutor children

33. Sports & Fitness Participation • Shows health & fitness of residents and community involvement • West Windsor has excellent rate of sports participation • Action: Use Programs to help teach about sustainable lifestyle

34. Age curve of adult Residents • Many adults leave between age 45-59 • Need to provide incentives for adults to remain after children graduate from high school • Action: Provide a variety of housing types in walkable communities

35. Strategies for a Sustainable Society • Partner with community organizations • Incorporate sustainability education into recreation • Promote sustainability in the schools • Include youth and seniors

36. Historic Preservation Preserving “What We Have”, and Guiding “What Will Come”

37. Current Status and Objectives • West Windsor has 221 cultural, historic, and archeological sites listed. Of those 221 sites, only 136 remain intact. • Establish a priority list as to which historic properties should be protected and preserved by 2008. • Protect 100 percent of West Windsor’s priority cultural and historic sites by placing them on the appropriate register(s) by the year 2011.

38. Indicators • Percent of historic sites protected, unprotected and endangered. • Condition of the property (destroyed, poor, good, or fully restored).

39. Sustainable Government Government is a central vehicle for coordinating community action and achieving our sustainable development goals. Without efficient, effective and responsive government our capacity to solve problems and meet citizen needs and desires is compromised. Government can also lead by example by ensuring that municipal buildings and operations support West Windsor’s sustainability goals.

40. Sustainable Government • Objectives • Municipal Budget: develop and implement environmental initiatives that help stabilize the municipal budget through smart environmental choices • Municipal Services: develop and implement environmental effort that improve municipal services • Municipal Facilities: develop and implement environmental strategies that maintain and expand municipal facilities. • Green building practices: adopt “Green” Building practices or guidelines for all public projects including appropriate consideration of aesthetics, design opportunities and community standards.

41. Indicators • Indicators (recommend) • Municipal Plans and Budget • Source of Revenues to support the municipal budget • Presence of sustainability elements in Subdivision plans and zoning ordinance. • Green building ordinance and requirement (code for new construction and redevelopment plan) • Municipal Facilities • Annual energy consumption at public buildings • Annual water use at public buildings • Annual Gas/Fuel consumption of municipal vehicles • Municipal Operations • Percentage of municipal solid waste that is recycled • Education • Presence of sustainability elements in K-12 curriculum

42. Annual energy consumption at public buildings and facilities

43. Annual water use at public buildings

44. Annual Gas/Fuel consumption of municipal vehicles

45. Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled

46. Menu of Possible Deliverables • Draft Report (Select Preferred Format) • Educational Powerpoints • Posters • Website • Brochures/Handouts • Sustainable Design Competition • Princeton Junction Applications