Incorporation of the following principles into waterfront development plans is consistent with Scenic Hudson's mission, New York State's Local waterfront Revitalization Program policies, Hudson River Greenway objectives, most local waterfront zoning codes, and Smart Growth and New Urban philosophies.
Scenic Hudson recommends that riverfront communities adapt these principles on a case-by-case basis in accordance with local and site-specific conditions.
Principles
- Provide public access and open space to and along the waterfront.
- Link waterfront areas with parks, nature preserves, historic and cultural sites, commercial main streets and adjoining communities.
- Protect views to, from, and along waterfronts.
- Protect natural ecology, vegetation, and aquatic habitat.
- Facilitate water-based recreation - such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and boating, swimming, and nature appreciation - that is consistent with local site conditions and the protection and enhancement of natural resources.
- Relocate non water-dependent land uses - such as industrial facilities, bulk storage, public works and parking- away from the water's edge.
- Promote a mix of uses to help revitalize existing communities and foster active, diversified and sustainable waterfront development.
- Provide shoreline treatment to prevent erosion, protect water quality and enhance public access appropriate to community and environmental needs.
- Prevent non-point source pollution, particularly storm water runoff.
- Promote consistency and continuity of new development with adjoining and/or surrounding neighborhoods.
- Provide appropriate architecture and urban design in keeping with the height, scale, density and character of adjoining neighborhoods, including continuous street networks and well-designed pedestrian and gathering spaces.
- Integrate multi-modal and inter-modal transportation including rail, land-based, and water-based mass transit, bicycles and vehicular and pedestrian movement in accordance with the capacity of existing or upgraded systems.
- Create a safe and user-friendly environment with the use of traffic calming techniques such as narrower driving lanes, on-street parking, wide sidewalks, street trees, crosswalks, ample lighting and attractive street furniture.
- Incorporate sustainable site design and architecture whenever possible.
- Preserve, upgrade, expand, and adapt for re-use appropriate stock of existing residential commercial buildings.
- Maximize public participation in planning and development processes.
For more information, contact Scenic Hudson's Riverfront Communities program at (845) 473-4440, ext. 215, or riverfront@scenichudson.org.
This report is also available en Espanol. |
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| We need to protect our access to the river. |
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