Changes May Be Coming For Newark Zoning, Land Regulations

NEWARK, NJ — Newark officials discussed some potential changes to the city’s land and zoning code during a recent public webinar.

The City of Newark is in the process of updating its land and zoning use regulations to match its 10-year master plan, known as “Newark360.” Read More: Newark's 10-Year Master Blueprint Marches Forward

Last week, city officials held a virtual workshop to discuss some of the proposed updates, which would happen through a local ordinance. The proposed ordinance is scheduled to go before the city’s central planning board on April 24. It will then face a review, public hearing and votes from the council.

Watch the video below, and see supporting documents and maps here.

Topics discussed at the April 3 webinar included:

Corridor Up-Zoning – “Modest increases in height to allow more opportunities for housing development along primary and secondary corridors within the neighborhood context. Nonresidential uses are required on the ground floor of primary corridors and permitted, but not required on the ground floor of secondary corridors.”

Replace Aging Redevelopment Plans – “Four redevelopment plans have grown outdated relative to the new Master Plan standards. Replacing the plans with standard zoning will prevent those parts of the city from being more strictly regulated than their immediate neighbors.”

Zoning For More Homes – “Changes to minimum lot area and density standards for multi-family buildings provide context-sensitive opportunity to add new housing units to most neighborhoods.”

Streamline Small Development – “Three family dwellings and other small projects can be approved administratively, and existing undersized lots grandfathered in to speed up the development process.”

Commercial Use Flexibility – “Permit home-based businesses to promote entrepreneurship and allow more diverse and flexible uses within commercial zones.”

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) – “Accessory dwelling units are small units that can be added to existing residential properties to provide additional housing options and a source of income for homeowners.”

Update Building and Design Standards – “Changes to certain lighting, signage, building transparency, landscaping, and building placement standards will address frequent variance requests.”

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