City of Cape May Master Plan Reexamination Open House - April 16, 2018
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What is a Master Plan Vision for the municipality Provides direction and guidance for the growth, resource preservation, and land use decisions Recognizes the current trends and needs of the municipality Acknowledges the relationship to neighboring communities, the County, State and other regional agencies Addresses constraints and opportunities such as circulation patterns, environmental conditions, and development patterns 3
Why Reexamine the Master Plan State Law requires that all municipalities reexamine their master plan every ten years. Last Reexamination was March 13, 2009 City s planning policies must be updated to reflect and react to changes. Impacts of population,economic and employment conditions. Addresses the changes in economy, housing, transportation, parking, community services, land use, historical preservation, conservation, utilities, etc. Flood planning & flood insurance - New flood maps have been provided that affect future development throughout the Jersey Shore. 4
Cape May Population Trends The census data reflects residency on Census Day (April 1, 2010) Population reflects residency. Population # Change % Change 1970 4,392 1980 4,853 461 10.5% Population has peaked in 1980 to 4,853 residents. Cape May s decline in population is a continuation of a trend that began in the 1980 s. 1990 4,668-185 -3.8% 2000 4,034-634 -13.6% Population decline peaked during the late 1990 s and early 2000 s and rate of decline is slowing. 2010 3,607-427 -10.6% 2020 3,429-178 -4.9% Census population estimates for July 1, 2016 indicate a population of 3,500. Projecting the 2016 estimate at current rates indicates a population estimate of 3,429 by 2020. Population Change by Decade Source: New Jersey State Data Center, US Census Data 5
Trends County Population Decline 6
Population Trends by Decade - Cape May County Municipality 2010 2000 1990 2000 to 2010 % Change Avalon Borough 1,334 2,143 1,809-37.80% Cape May City 3,607 4,034 4,668-10.60% 291 241 248 20.70% Dennis Township 6,467 6,492 5,574-0.40% Lower Township 22,866 22,945 20,820-0.30% Middle Township 18,911 16,405 14,771 15.30% North Wildwood City 4,041 4,935 5,107-18.10% Ocean City 11,701 15,378 15,512-23.90% Sea Isle City 2,114 2,835 2,692-25.40% 866 1,128 1,025-23.20% Upper Township 12,373 12,115 10,681 2.10% West Cape May Borough 1,024 1,095 1,026-6.50% West Wildwood Borough 603 448 453 34.60% Wildwood City 5,325 5,436 4,484-2.00% Wildwood Crest Borough 3,270 3,980 3,631-17.80% Woodbine 2,472 2,716 2,678-9.00% Cape May County Total 97,265 102,326 95,089-4.90% Cape May Point Borough Stone Harbor Borough
Population Trends From 2000 to 2010, Population in Cape May County declined by 4.9%. A 20-40% regional decline in population is shown by other seashore municipalities including Avalon Borough, North Wildwood City, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, and Wildwood Crest Borough. Cape May has been more resilient to this regional trend and has been shown to be a more stable seashore residential community. Only a 10% loss where others have shown 20-40%.
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Cape May Summer Population Cape May County has provided estimates of summer population in 2016. It has been estimated that Cape May City's summer population swells to 46,324 persons. This is 13.2 times the City's population estimate of 3,500 for 2016.
Housing Stock Trends The loss of resident occupied units trend continues. Cape May has 4,155 housing units to according to the 2010 Census. In the last decade occupied units have dropped from 45% to 35% of the total. Seasonal units have increased from 51% to 56%. The remaining units are considered vacant. For 2017, Cape May County had a foreclosure rate of 1 in 1074 units. The foreclosure issues within the City do not appear to be significant or deleterious to the overall housing stock.
US Coast Guard - Training Center Cape May 5th largest base in the Coast Guard. Personnel totals: Total including tenant commands (591); Total recruit training capacity (960); Officers (35); Enlisted (219); Civilians (95); Contractors (128). The training center has its own housing consisting of 172 Coast Guard owned housing units and 2 command quarters. Approximately 60% of the students in the Cape May City Elementary School district come from the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. Cape May recognizes the Coast Guard Training Facility as an important stakeholder as part of the community s housing and employment and an essential element that helps make Cape May a 12-month a year town.
Trends Home Prices Peaked in 2006 13
Housing Stock Value Trends The 2010 census indicates the estimate for Cape May owner -occupied median housing value of $661,100. Value is approximately triple the County average. Housing stock is expensive and prohibitive for local employees and residents. This is a contributing factor in the decline of owner occupied units.
Trends Household Income has not Increased Since 2012 15
Trends - Total Employees in Cape May County 16
Economic & Employment Market Trends The median household income in 2012-2016 for Cape May County was $59,338 compared to $57,877 for the City. Approximately 2.2% of the families in Cape May were considered to be below the poverty line. Under half of households have individuals 65 years old or older (47.4 percent) Estimated 2016 unemployment rate of 5.6 percent, fairly low for County. 57.4 percent participation in the labor force Civilian employed population: 39.3% in management, business, arts and sciences; 15.1% in service occupations (low for county), 28.5% in sales/office occupation Shrinking labor force - General lack of regional full time employment opportunity hurts residency.
Evolution of Marketing Cape May County 18
Opportunities Tourism Cape May County ranks Second in the State in Tourism Direct Spending: Cape May County Tourism Sales Tourism Employment $6.271 Billion 26,151 (43.6 % of Total Employment) 19
Superstorm Sandy Event Surge Extent 20
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Trends Impacts of Superstorm Sandy 66.8% of City in Flood Hazard Area 37% of population in lives in the Flood Hazard Area Over half of buildings and value of structures ($1.8 billion) in Flood Hazard Area 1,349 historic losses requiring $10 million in payments (among lowest in the County) 2,661 policies in force worth $685 million. $2.5 million in annual premiums Flood insurance coverage in Cape May is increasing. Elevation will be necessary to achieve lower premiums; complicated by historic structures Participation in FEMA Community Rating System - working towards a Class 5 Rating 22
Master Plan Elements 23
Master Plan Elements - Cape May Land Use Element Traffic & Parking Element Housing Element Community Facilities & Recreation Element Historic Preservation Element Recycling & Solid Waste Element Conservation Element Resiliency Element (new) Utility Element (new) Beach Safety Element (new) Appendices (Creative Placemaking Plan, Municipal Public Access Plan, etc.) 24
Opportunities - Residential Districts Loss of year round residents Affordable Housing Seasonal parking problems Pedestrian friendly neighborhoods and links to commercial areas Historic preservation Resiliency: Flood protection and insurance issues Wetlands Protection Protect the neighborhoods and plan for new neighborhoods Plan for the development or preservation of East Cape May
Opportunities - Business Districts Promote tourism, maintain and further develop year round tourism Enhance & Protect Commercial Districts and Uses Employee housing for business is lacking. Implement Washington Street Mall pedestrian friendly recommendations Consider possible future development of "Beach Theater," "Washington Commons," "City Hall 1/2 block" and other sites Develop Parking Options
Opportunities - Traffic Circulation & Parking Develop future parking solutions. Lack of availability of centrally located strategic sites for parking is an issue. Lack of parking is a contributing factor to circulation issues. Evaluate existing municipal and private lots for use as surface parking or whether structured parking should be located in this area. Continue to Develop & Implement Traffic Improvement Recommendations Promote and develop alternative transportation - Public transit, shuttles, electric vehicles, bicycles etc. Work with State, County and neighboring municipalities to develop a comprehensive plan. Bicycle and pedestrian planning - Pedestrian City Trail/cultural network Promote the City cultural network through wayfinding signage. 27
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Opportunities A Walkable/Bikeable Community Recommendations of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Plan Make improvements for non-motorized traffic on its dense roadway and sidewalk network, identify offroad trail opportunities, and better linkages between Cape May & Cape May Point Make improvements for non-motorized traffic on its dense roadway and sidewalk network, identify offroad trail opportunities, and better linkages between Cape May & Cape May Point Complete a Cape Island-wide bicycle network. Enhance walkability by completing the promenade. Provide safer access to the school, community facilities, the beaches and Washington Street Mall. 29
Opportunities - Bicycle Network 30
Opportunities - Community Facilities Community Needs Assessment Public Park Development Promenade Extension Franklin Street School City Hall, Fire & Police Departments Adequate Utility Service - Desalination Plant Maintain the Private / Public Relationships Beach Access & Amenities Continue to Recognize and Promote the Arts, History and Culture 31
Opportunities Waterfront Assets Beach/Back Bay Provides Something for Everyone Promenade Extension/Beach Accessibility Develop/Promote Harbor Access and Use Recreational and Ecotourism Uses -Fishing, Birding, Surfing, Paddle Boarding... Beach Safety Promote, preserve and protect the environmental assets 32
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Opportunity Historic Preservation The entire City is designated a National Historic Landmark, the only City in America. The second largest collection of Victorian home in the nation after San Francisco. Opportunity Promote, preserve and protect the historical assets of the City 34
Opportunity Sustainable Community Four time State leader for Sustainability Enhance natural resources areas of the City Promote creative placemaking Support alternative energy and electric vehicle expansion in the City Achieve the Gold Standard in Energy Conservation 35
Opportunity - Public Outreach Survey to Local Residents, Second Home Owners and Visitors Utilize and promote on City website Meeting with Key Stakeholders Planning Board and other City Boards and Committees Public Meetings throughout the Master Plan Process 36
Public Outreach Education The following Boards, Commissions, Departments, Public & Private Partners, and stakeholders have been identified as potentially having interest and valuable input in developing the Reexamination of the Master Plan: Boards & Commissions Planning & Zoning Board Historic Preservation Commission Environmental Commission Shade Tree Commission Municipal Departments Municipal Committees Beach Safety Advisory Committee Green Team & Creative Committee Master Plan Advisory Comm. The Cape May Task Force Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee Lafayette Street Park Comm. Library Advisory Comm. Municipal Buildings & Property Public Safety Advisory Comm. Seawall & Promenade Comm. Arts/Theater Cape May Jazz Cape May Stage East Lynne Theater Company Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts Cape May Elementary School New Jersey's Green College The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Rutgers - Marine Research Facility Business Cape May Chamber of Commerce Washington Street Mall Management Company Stakeholders US Coast Guard Training Center Cape May Tennis Club Cape May County Library Nature Center & New Jersey Audubon Greater Cape May Historical Society Local News & Media 37
Procedure for Adoption of A Plan Preparation and Approval - Master Plan Reexamination, through work session meetings, advisory committee input, public and stakeholder involvement is tentatively approved by the Planning Board. Establishment of a Hearing Date - PB Authorizes Public Hearing Date Noticing - Notice is required in official paper, clerks of adjoining municipalities and county planning board. Public Inspection Hearing - Plan is Presented for adoption. Voting Notice of Adoption 38
Implementation of the Master Plan Once the Master Plan is adopted by the Planning Board, City Council implements the Plan by: Legislative Actions Adopting Ordinances to Put Zoning Changes in Place Capital Improvement Planning prioritization, long and short term funding Other Actions more detailed planning and engineering efforts; funding assistance 39
Opportunities - Funding The Master Plan process has provide a variety of funding options including: Historic Preservation Grants Stormwater Infrastructure Grants Grants to Elevating Structures Renovating Historic Structures - Franklin Street School Coastal Resiliency Army Corps & NJDEP Grants NJ Library Construction Bond Act County Partnerships 40
Reexamination Schedule April 16, 2018 Public Input Open House Summer 2018 - Survey Developed by Advisory Committee May December 2018 - Develop Plan Elements - PB & Subcommittee Workshops January - February 2019 - Public Meetings & Planning Board Plan Adoption 41
Opportunity - Think Big! Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men s blood and probably will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die. Daniel Burnham 42
Your Turn! Your input will be used to develop the plan: Tell us what you like about our City Tell us how to make it better Where do you want our City headed in the next 10-20 years? How do you want it to look? No ideas are too big or too small There are no right or wrong ideas 43