News from

Mayor Frank Huttle III

For Release:
October 20, 2014



Contact: Mayor Frank Huttle
P: 201-871-6666
C: 201-906-5638
E-mail: frankhuttle@englewoodmayor.com
Ambitious Englewood Master Plan Vision Poised to Come
to Life as Huttle Presents City Council with Proposed
Zoning Changes

(ENGLEWOOD) The ambitious vision laid out in Englewoods new Master Plan will be one
step closer to reality on Tuesday when Mayor Frank Huttle III formally presents the City Council
with zoning ordinance revisions that will enable the city to begin implementing the
recommendations contained in the new plan.

Our Master Plan and our zoning codes are intrinsically linked, said Huttle. With the adoption
of these new zoning ordinances, essentially the plan will be shifting from paper to actual
policies. A vibrant new downtown, job-creating, mixed-use industrial space, new residential
offerings combined with the historic preservation of existing homes all of these visions rely on
these zoning changes to be brought to life.

In March, the Englewood Planning Board formally adopted the Master Plan, capping off an
extensive, two-year planning process that incorporated unprecedented community input to create
a rich and enduring blueprint for the citys future.

The resulting plan is the product of on-the-ground research and a robust public process that
establishes a proactive approach to managing future development, preserving community
character and guiding public and private investments.

The new plan incorporates a number of key elements, or turning points, that will significantly
boost the quality of life in the five-square mile city, including, among other things: making light
rail service a reality, creating a mix of retail, residential, health care and offices to enhance the
downtown, encourage entrepreneurship by rezoning the Englewood South area for mixed
industrial use, preserving the historic character of residential neighborhoods

To that end, the city re-engaged the lead consultant who developed the Master Plan in order to
analyze these elements and the citys existing zoning code and select an appropriate mix of land
uses and develop design standards that will:
lead to investment and reinvestment that fits appropriately within Englewoods blocks,
attract more customers and visitors to Englewood, and;
improve services, offerings, and employment opportunities for existing and future
residents.

Among the major zoning changes that will be proposed tomorrow, the most substantial and
critical is the revision of the Central Business District (CBD), which will help revitalize
commerce, spur investment, and attract more vitality to the downtown, especially Palisade
Avenue.

To better fit the downtowns role as a place for living, working, entertainment, and socialization,
the CBD has been renamed the Downtown Districts. Three Downtown Districts and their
respective sub-districts will replace the CBD-1, CBD-2, and CBD-3 designations in an effort to
generate more reinvestment along West Palisade Avenue properties to match the vitality of East
Palisade Avenue.

Additionally, new rules and requirements for parking will balance the need to provide off-street
with reasonable consideration of alternatives to driving, so that the on-street parking is not
overwhelmed with demand.

Another major zoning change proposal is for the Light Industrial (L-I) District, which has been
completely revamped to permit modern uses that suit todays creative entrepreneurs and
industries.

Englewood is in a highly-favorable location with access to major highways and proximity to
New York City. While many of our industrial buildings are not nearly spacious enough to
accommodate large distribution facilities that are popping up all over the state, the existing stock
is desirable for smaller enterprises and ripe for creative reconfiguration and reuse. Furthermore
there is an opportunity to promote the development of certain types of healthcare uses within this
district to complement those in other parts of the city, added Huttle.

Design standards have also been put in place to create a lively, identifiable public realm that
celebrates South Englewoods local enterprises and industries. The changes will help usher in a
cleaner, green, well-lit, and energetic environment to replace the dark and desolate landscape that
dominates areas such as South Van Brunt Street or South Dean Street.

Another change being introduced is a work/live district overlay within parts of the Light
Industrial District to create a transition between residential and industrial properties and to
expand opportunities for the reuse of buildings. This move is designed to draw creative people
who need a place to practice and fine-tune their craft.

After Huttles presentation at the 7:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, the City Council is expected to
introduce the zoning change ordinances, which must then be voted on at a subsequent meeting.



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