What does the State Plan do?

• Focuses on developing existing Centers and optimizing land use to reduce strain on overburdened communities and improve access to amenities.
• Prioritizes redevelopment in transit-connected and underutilized areas to support new housing, businesses, and parks.
• Advocates for reevaluating parking requirements to reduce land use dedicated to parking and support pedestrian-friendly growth.
• Encourages the repurposing of vacant parking lots into residential and commercial uses.
• Calls for a reassessment of outdated zoning codes and streamlining local land use policies to facilitate development approvals.

Why it matters:

• Relieves pressure on overburdened areas by creating new Centers that offer housing and business opportunities.
• Supports sustainable growth by reducing land used for parking and promoting walkable, transit-friendly communities.
• Helps revitalize underused spaces, such as vacant parking lots, making them more useful for the community.
• Increases access and connectivity to amenities such as parks and shops for residents.
• Streamlines the development process, enabling new projects to be approved and meet the needs of growing communities.

What does the State Plan do?

• Promotes the use of redevelopment plans to introduce pedestrian-friendly features such as walkable spaces, housing, and public areas.
• Encourages connections between developments to reduce auto-dependency and improve walkability.
• Suggests modifying zoning to incorporate walking paths with landscaped buffers to improve pedestrian circulation.
• Recommends integrating natural features into the design of redevelopment sites to enhance their aesthetic and environmental value.
• Proposes the option of adding housing to auto-oriented commercial strips, particularly in areas where residential use makes sense, to boost nighttime activity and community vibrancy.

Why it matters:

• Helps create more connected and walkable communities, reducing reliance on cars and enhancing quality of life.
• Improves the functionality of redevelopment areas by making them more accessible and inviting for pedestrians.
• Ensures that redevelopment projects respect and enhance the natural environment, making areas more sustainable.
• Adds housing where it makes sense, promoting vibrant neighborhoods with activity at all hours of the day, not just during business hours.
• Encourages mixed-use developments that blend residential and commercial uses with public spaces to foster stronger and more resilient communities.