Neighborhood Outreach Workshop Summary
Urban League of Essex County
MLK Middle School
Newark, NJ
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Overview
During the Fall of 2013, Together North Jersey (TNJ) and the North Jersey Transportation Planning
Authority (NJTPA) jointly convened a series of public outreach workshops, hosted by community-based
non-governmental organization (NGO) partners. This “neighborhood outreach” program was a
continuation of the Discovery Phase of the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development (RPSD) planning
process.
Together North Jersey’s NGO partners have received grants to help them advance local planning
activities that support neighborhood revitalization and healthy and sustainable communities. As a
condition of the grant, they agreed to host “discovery phase” workshops to ensure that TNJ was able to
get insight and engagement from traditionally under-represented populations that may not have been
heard during other outreach efforts. A portion of the workshop was set aside for the NGO
representatives to ask targeted questions related to their supplemental planning project.
The purpose of the workshops was to gather input from local residents and businesses about key issues,
priorities, and the planning goals that should be central to the RPSD. Participants were asked questions
about fair housing and whether they ever had experienced discrimination in accessing opportunities
important to their personal or familial advancement. Small group discussions were held in which
participants were asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of their community. They were
asked to describe one thing they like about their community’s ability to provide access to work, health
services, safety, education, housing and a high quality of life. They were also asked to describe one thing
that they would like to change.
Workshop
The Urban League of Essex County hosted a neighborhood outreach workshop. The organization was
responsible for building interest about the meeting in their community, to gain a solid base of citizen
participation.
About ninety members of the community attended the workshop at MLK Middle School in Newark on
October 10, 2013.
Following an introduction of the Together North Jersey regional planning process, attendees were asked
to answer a series of polling questions using electronic clickers and to engage in the small-group
discussion exercise. The Urban League also asked a series of questions related to their project, which is
to assess the relationship between crime and the built environment in the Fairmount neighborhood.
The following pages show a summary of the results from this meeting.
Planning Together for our Future
INTERACTIVE POLLING ACTIVITY:
Tell Us What You Think…
9
Planning Together for our Future
LOCAL ISSUES AND PRIORITIES
11
What do you think are the greatest overall
challenges facing our region?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Declining prosperity
High cost of living
Fiscal uncertainty
Underperforming cities
Environmental and public health
concerns
6. Long commutes and traffic
congestion
7. Dealing with changing demographics
8. Shifting real estate market demand
9. Working together to address
regional problems
10. None of the above/Other
24%
23%
11%
10%
9%
8%
7%
5%
3%
2%
*select up to three
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Which economic and/or fiscal issues are most
important in your community?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Stagnant/uneven job growth
High rates of unemployment
High property taxes
Government debt burden
Looming service cuts
Aging infrastructure and need
for infrastructure investment
7. Recovering from recent disasters
8. Conflicting government
priorities, programs &
regulations
9. Lack of funding for infrastructure
investment
10. None of the above/Other
*select up to three
13
29%
20%
12%
9%
7%
7%
6%
4%
4%
1%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Which land use and community development
issues are most important in your community?
1.
2.
3.
Managing growth/development pressure
Attracting private sector investment
Dealing with shifting real estate market
demand
4. Redeveloping underutilized
buildings/properties
5. Ensuring private property rights are
respected in planning and implementation
6. Recovering from recent disasters
7. Public opposition to growth and
development
8. Public opposition to density
9. Need for tax “ratables”
10. None of the above/Other
14
*select up to three
29%
14%
11%
10%
10%
10%
7%
4%
4%
2%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Which housing-related issues are most
important in your community?
1.
Increasing debt
delinquencies/foreclosures
2. Declining home values
3. Declining home ownership rates
4. Too many homes on the real estate
market
5. Housing condition and maintenance
problems
6. Housing affordability
7. Too few housing options for smaller
families (old and young)
8. Overcrowded housing units
9. Not enough rental housing
10. None of the above/Other
*select up to three
15
17%
17%
14%
11%
10%
10%
8%
6%
5%
2%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Which transportation issues are most
important in your community?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Local traffic congestion
Regional traffic congestion
Managing parking
Pollution from cars & trucks
Pedestrian & bicycle
crashes/safety
6. Too few options to walk and bike
7. Too few transit options
8. Roads and bridges in poor
condition
9. Transit facilities and amenities in
poor condition
10. None of the above/Other
*select up to three
16
21%
18%
15%
13%
13%
5%
4%
5%
4%
3%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Which environmental and public health issues
are most important in your community?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Preserving open space
Managing wildlife
Air quality
Water quality
Increasing rates of chronic disease
Flooding/ Storm water management
Exposure to health hazards
(contamination, lead paint)
8. Preserving farmland and supporting
agricultural businesses
9. Climate change and Greenhouse Gas
emissions
10. None of the above/ Other
17
*select up to three
23%
18%
16%
14%
9%
7%
4%
4%
3%
2%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Which other community planning and quality
of life issues are most important in you
community?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
18
Quality of public schools
Crime & public safety (real)
Crime & public safety (perceived)
Availability of arts/cultural
opportunities
Access to parks & recreation
opportunities
Access to fresh food & groceries
nearby
Persistent concentrations of
poverty
Racial/ethnic segregation
None of the above/Other
*select up to three
29%
24%
13%
10%
8%
6%
6%
3%
0%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Planning Together for our Future
ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY
31
Have you ever been turned down for an
apartment or denied housing because of your…?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Race or Color
National Origin
Religion
Gender
Sexual Orientation
Disability
Familial Status (children,
pregnancy, etc.)
8. I have not been discriminated
against
9. I have not applied for an
apartment/housing
10. Prefer not to answer
32
*Choose all that apply
20%
19%
17%
11%
9%
7%
6%
5%
4%
1%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Have you ever been denied a mortgage loan
because of your…?
Race or Color
National Origin
Religion
Gender
Sexual Orientation
Disability
Familial Status (children,
pregnancy, etc.)
8. I have not been discriminated
against
9. I have not applied for a mortgage
10. Prefer not to answer
39%
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
33
*Choose all that apply
28%
11%
8%
4%
1
1%
1%
2
3
3%
3%
6
7
1%
4
5
8
9
10
Have you ever been harassed because you
assisted someone in obtaining their fair
housing rights?
47%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Yes
No
Not applicable
Prefer not to answer
41%
11%
2%
34
1
2
3
4
Have you ever filed a housing discrimination
complaint?
89%
1. Yes
2. No
3. Prefer not to answer
8%
35
1
3%
2
3
Planning Together for our Future
PLANNING GOALS & OBJECTIVES
37
GOAL: Strengthen the region’s economy
Which of the following objectives are most
important? Choose two
1. Keep and create wellpaying jobs
2. Ensure infrastructure is
in good repair and can
support economic
development
3. Increase the economy’s
ability to adapt to
change
4. Increase regional selfsufficiency
38
48%
1
18%
19%
2
3
16%
4
GOAL: Ensure communities are safe, healthy, great places to live
Which of the following objectives are most
important? Choose three
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
39
Create safe, stable
neighborhoods with high quality
housing
Improve public health
Improve access to local parks &
recreation
Improve access to community
resources such as libraries,
senior centers and youth
activities
Preserve and enhance the
character of existing downtowns
and neighborhoods
Improve access to arts and
cultural resources
31%
24%
17%
13%
9%
5%
1
2
3
4
5
6
GOAL: Improve everyone’s access to opportunity
Which of the following objectives are most
important? Choose two
1. Connect where people
live to where they need
to go
2. Maintain and improve
the quality of schools
3. Create inclusive, mixedincome neighborhoods
4. Reduce combined
transportation and
housing costs
40
39%
23%
24%
13%
1
2
3
4
GOAL: Enhance efficiency of public services and conserve land
Which of the following objectives are most
important? Choose two
1. Increase investment
near existing housing,
jobs and transportation
2. Maintain and expand
vibrant downtowns and
“main streets”
3. Encourage development
of compact
neighborhoods with a
mix of housing,
shopping and services
41
40%
40%
19%
1
2
3
GOAL: Protect and enhance the environment
Which of the following objectives are most
important? Choose three
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
42
Preserve open space and
natural areas
Take good care of our air,
water and natural lands
Reduce potential impacts of
climate change
Increase ability to respond to
and recover from extreme
weather events
Ensure adequate water supply
Direct development away
from environmentally
sensitive areas
Preserve wildlife habitat
29%
16%
15%
15%
15%
6%
4%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
GOAL: Address regional growth issues in a coordinated way
Which of the following objectives are most
important? Choose three
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
43
Align existing plans, programs and
regulations at all levels of government
Foster collaboration between federal,
state, county and local governments
Maintain up-to-date, coordinated local
regional and state plans
Provide a regional framework for
making decisions about investment,
programs, regulations and major
development applications
Ensure a broad cross-section of
residents, businesses and government
engaged in planning efforts
Respect property rights during
planning and implementation
26%
18%
16%
15%
13%
1
2
3
4
13%
5
6
Which planning goals are most important for
the region’s future? Pick 3 in rank order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
44
Strengthen the region’s
economy
Ensure communities are safe,
healthy, great places to live
Improve everyone’s access to
opportunity
Increase efficiency of public
services and conserve land
Protect and enhance the
environment
Address regional growth issues
in a coordinated way
34%
25%
22%
11%
5%
2%
1
2
3
4
5
6
Planning Together for our Future
LISTEN & LEARN
RECORDED RESPONSES
Facilitated Discussion: LIKE/CHANGE
• Pair in groups of two - turn to your neighbor & introduce yourself
• Record your partner’s ideas about:
- One thing that you LIKE about your community in terms of its ability to
provide access to work, health services, safety, education, and a high
quality of life.
- One thing that you would CHANGE about your community’s ability to
provide access to work, health services, safety, education, and a high
quality of life.
• Table Leaders will facilitate a brief discussion &
report key points to the group
• 20 minutes total for this exercise
36
What we heard was important
What do you LIKE about your community’s ability to provide access to work, health
services, safety, education, housing and a high quality of life?
Response
Accessibility
Short/convenient commutes
Community character: friendly and diverse residents
Programming at area non-profits
What we heard was important
What would you CHANGE about your community’s ability to provide access to work,
health services, safety, education, housing and a high quality of life?
Response
Lack of housing options
Cleaner streets
High amount of abandoned property
Improve schools
More access to jobs
More police protection
Planning Together for Our Future
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
45
What sort of crime problems do you think
there are in the neighborhood? Select all that apply
1. Bulgary / break-ins
2. Vandalism / graffiti
3. Gang activity
4. Street attacks
5. Domestic violence
6. Sexual crimes
7. Theft of cars
8. Dangerous driving / speeding
9. Selling drugs
10. Other
46
14%
13%
13%
12%
11%
11%
9%
7%
6%
4%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
What types of crime do you worry about being
a victim of the most? Select up to 3
1. Having your home broken into
2. Having your car stolen
3. Having your car deliberately
damaged or broken into
4. Being robbed
5. Being assaulted by strangers
6. Being assaulted by people you know
7. Being sexually assaulted or raped
8. Other
9. Prefer not to answer
23%
19%
17%
13%
12%
5%
4%
3%
1
47
4%
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
In the last 12 months, I think there has been
____ crime in my neighborhood
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A lot more
A little more
About the same amount of
A little less
A lot less
There is no crime in my
neighborhood
7. Prefer not to answer
57%
20%
13%
1
48
2
3
2%
2%
4
5
4%
6
2%
7
Planning Together for Our Future
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?
49
How would you describe the community in
which you live?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
City
Small town
Suburban township
Rural township
Vacation/Resort
community
6. None of the above
7. Prefer not to answer
50
79%
9%
1
3%
3%
2
3
0%
0%
4
5
6
6%
7
Which group best describes your age?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Under 25
25-34
35-44
45-64
65-74
75 years and older
Prefer not to answer
64%
5%
1
51
13%
10%
2
8%
3
4
5
0%
0%
6
7
How long have you lived in your current
neighborhood?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
32%
Less than a year
1-3 years
4-10 years
11-20 years
20+ years
I do not live in Northern NJ
Prefer not to answer
30%
27%
11%
0%
1
52
2
3
4
5
0%
0%
6
7
Do you rent or own your home?
1. Rent
2. Own
3. Residence is provided
by others
4. Prefer not to answer
55%
40%
5%
1
53
2
3
0%
4
Are you….?
60%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Male
Female
Other
Prefer not to answer
38%
2%
1
54
2
3
0%
4
What race or ethnicity best describes you?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
White, Not Hispanic
Black, Not Hispanic
White, Hispanic
Black, Hispanic
Asian American
Native American
More than One Race
Prefer not to answer
76%
7%
7%
0%
1
55
2
3
0%
4
5
2%
6
5%
7
2%
8
What is your household income?
34%
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
$0 - $24,999
$25,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $74,999
$75,000 - $100,000
$101,000 - $150,000
More than $150,000
Prefer not to answer
18%
13%
11%
1
56
18%
2
3
3%
3%
4
5
6
7
What is the highest degree or level of school
completed?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Less than High School Diploma or
GED
High School Graduate
Some College
Associate’s Degree (AA, AS)
Bachelor’s Degree (BA, BS)
Master’s Degree
Professional Degree beyond
Bachelor’s Degree (MD, DDS,
DVM, LLB, JD)
Doctorate Degree (PhD or EdD)
Prefer not to answer
31%
14%
14%
11%
8%
1
57
14%
2
3
4
5
3%
3%
3%
6
7
8
9
For More Information:
Jon Carnegie, AICP/PP
Project Director
TOGETHER NORTH JERSEY
Executive Director
Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
PH: (848) 932-2840
FAX: (732) 932-3714
[email protected]
www.togethernorthjersey.com
59