Featured Projects. Image: Magnusson Architecture and Planning Image: Magnusson Architecture and Planning Image: Magnusson Architecture and Planning Image: Magnusson Architecture and Planning Carmen Villegas Rezoning CEQR/NEPA New York, NY BFJ Planning studied the rezoning action for the Carmen Villegas Apartments Environmental Assessment Statement prepared in accordance with the New York City Environmental Review (CEQR) procedures. Following, BFJ Planning prepared an Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. BFJ was retained by the development team, a partnership between Ascendant Neighborhood Development Corporation, Xylem Projects, and Urban Builders Collaborative. The project also included a request for funding through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and project-based vouchers through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Carmen Villegas will be a new 28-story, affordable senior building, containing 211 units in East Harlem. The project sets aside 30% of the units for formerly homeless seniors with incomes at or below 30% area median income (AMI), 70% of units for Independent Residence for Seniors (AIRS) at income levels at or below 80% AMI, and one superintendent unit. Under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), 25‐30% of total units will be affordable at an average of 60‐80% AMI. The building will contain community facility space on the first and second floors, an open corridor providing space for outdoor programming, and a landscaped terrace on the sixth floor that is envisioned to connect to the existing Casita Park senior building next door, providing outdoor space to all tenants. The building will be built to Enterprise Green Communities standards and will incorporate sustainable features in pursuit of Passive House principles, such as increased insulation, airtight construction to maintain interior temperature and air‐quality while minimizing electrical loads, and solar panels. The building will also incorporate flood resiliency measures, such as elevating critical mechanical systems and the lobby vestibule with ramping above the sea level rise‐adjusted design flood elevation and incorporating a subgrade stormwater retention tank. The building’s heating, cooling and domestic hot water would all be electric using a ground source (geothermal) heat pump system. Client New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Ascendant Neighborhood Development Corporation, Xylem Projects, Urban Builders Collaborative, LLC Year 2025

Featured Projects. Dartmouth College Transportation Plan Hanover, New Hampshire BFJ Planning was retained by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects to develop the transportation plan as part of the long-range Master Plan. The transportation plan’s focus was on managing the parking system to allow for the construction of new academic buildings on existing lots, and on making the overall transportation system more user-friendly and sustainable. BFJ investigated the feasibility of peripheral park-and-ride lots with shuttle services, as well as remote park-and-ride strategies. BFJ also undertook a detailed market analysis of the number of commuters in the various commuter sheds along the interstate freeway. Strategies were developed to increase the use of carpooling among faculty, staff and graduate students. Another major objective of the transportation plan was to improve the bicycle infrastructure and encourage greater use of bicycles. A key goal was to get Dartmouth College designated as a bicycle friendly university by the League of American Bicyclists, which was achieved in 2016. Following the submission of the Master Plan, BFJ continued work with Beyer Blinder Belle on the development of the parking and transportation elements for the West End Campus Plan. Client Beyer Blinder Belle Architects Year 2012 - 2019

Featured Projects. Rockland County Riverway Trail Feasibility Study Rockland County, NY BFJ Planning led a team to study the feasibility of a +/- 20-mile shared use path that extends north-south in Rockland County in proximity to the Hudson River. This effort was catalyzed by the County’s interest to invest in recreational outdoor amenities/infrastructure since the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to improve local quality of life and regional draw for visitors and tourism. Toole Design played a major role in evaluating path alignment options emphasizing design and connection opportunities related to environmental, built environment and social considerations. Toole Design also led the effort to estimate path demand/trip potential. Sub-consultant Urbanomics analyzed socio-economic characteristics and demographics, as well as tourism trends on the regional and County levels. Urbanomics projected the economic impacts of the path to further the understanding of its feasibility and communicate these benefits to the stakeholders and general public. A central component of gauging path feasibility was careful coordination and outreach with each municipality located along the path in order to assess key challenges and opportunities for path alignment and design. Initial outreach with municipal leaders was followed by community-based workshops and stakeholder engagement to inform nuances of path alignment and design. Maximizing connectivity to other recreational and tourist destinations and to trip generators enhance functionality and economic impact of the path. Client Rockland County, New York Year 2024

Featured Projects. Image courtesy of Atelier Christian De Portzamparc Community Board 7- Riverside South New York, New York BFJ Planning was engaged by Manhattan Community Board #7 to advise it, in cooperation with Michael Kwartler and Associates and the Environmental Simulation Center, on the proposal by Extell to develop the southernmost two blocks of Riverside South. Riverside South is a planned development extending along the Hudson River between 72 Street and 59 Street. It includes new streets, an extension of Riverside Park, and 15 parcels most of which have been developed for mixed but primarily residential use. The application from Extell proposed an increase in the density and a change of uses on the remaining three parcels, located between 59 and 61 Streets. The consultant team prepared memos on Urban Design and City Planning Precedents, Open Space Analysis, FAR and Density Analysis, Affordable Housing, Parking, and Circulation. The team also outlined several alternative approaches to the development of the site, suggesting a more complete street system and additional public open space. Client Community Board 7 Year 2010

Featured Projects. Melville Employment Center Plan Huntington, New York BFJ Planning developed an integrated land use, circulation and infrastructure plan for the Melville Employment Center (MEC) in the Town of Huntington. The MEC area of the Town, focused along the Route 110 corridor, is a key commercial concentration in western Suffolk County, and is the Town’s largest source of employment and tax revenue. The MEC is arranged in a traditional suburban, automobile-focused development pattern that is characterized by a clear separation of uses, a lack of pedestrian amenities and limited ground-level activity, all of which contribute to high levels of traffic congestion and other issues affecting quality-of-life. While the MEC experienced massive growth in the 1970’s and 1980’s, in the last few decades, economic development has considerably leveled off. The MEC Plan aims to advance the goals and objectives of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, Horizons 2020 and other planning efforts to support the MEC and help it remain competitive as a major employment hub in the region. The vision of the Plan is to provide for future growth that creates a mixed-use center, improves the streetscape and enhances the quality of life for both residents and employees in Melville. The plan’s recommendations include identifying strategic infill development opportunities, zoning code changes to encourage mixed-uses, urban design strategies, multi-modal transportation improvements; streetscape improvements such as landscaping signage, increasing access to open space, and area-wide sewer and stormwater management strategies to address future growth. Client Town of Huntington Year 2016

Featured Projects. Harbor Management Area Recreational uses along Croton River Land Use and Planning Areas Recreational uses along Hudson River Recreational uses along Hudson River Croton-on-Hudson Waterfront Plan Croton-on-Hudson, New York BFJ Planning updated the Village of Croton-on-Hudson’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). The LWRP provided a future land use plan and established policies for the Village’s two coastal areas, the Hudson River and the Croton River. Together, the rivers constitute approximately 71,280 feet of shoreline, which are host to a variety of Village and County owned parks. Other significant waterfront uses include the Metro-North Railroad Station, the Half Moon Bay condominium/marina as well as single family residential neighborhoods oriented towards the water. BFJ worked with the Village to identify measures to maintain and upgrade their extensive park network, improve waterfront access, preserve natural habitats, and guide future development that is harmonious with the goals established by the community. BFJ also prepared the Village’s 2003 Comprehensive Plan, which helped insure that Village-wide policies were consistent with the objectives proposed in the LWRP document adopted in 1992. Client Village of Croton-on-Hudson Year 2015

Featured Projects. Netivot Shalom Daycare Traffic Study Teaneck, NJ BFJ was retained by the Congregation Netivot Shalom to assist in the site plan approval process for this sanctuary and child care facility. BFJ estimated parking demands and traffic impacts and assisted in the design of the site plan. Client Netivot Shalom Year 2025

Featured Projects. Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College Bard College Master Plan, Performing Arts Center Development Advice and Environmental Review Annandale-on-Hudson, New York BFJ Planning provided State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) services for the development of a Performing Arts Center as part of the Bard College Master Plan. The College is located within the Hudson River Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, in Dutchess County. Frank Gehry designed the Performing Arts Center as an 800-seat, multi-purpose auditorium to be used for staging drama, dance, opera, and music performances. The performing arts center was built and is known as the Fisher Center. BFJ prepared the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the Performing Arts Center. The DEIS addressed various sensitive issues including the Arts Center‘s visual impact on the Hudson River, the Sawkill Creek and neighboring histor-ic properties, potential ecological impacts to the Sawkill, and potential impact on cultural resources such as the Hudson River Historic District. The FEIS prepared by BFJ evaluated a range of site alternatives developed to reduce potential impacts to such resources and identified a preferred site for the center. BFJ also provided development advice to the College and the development team, including the identification of strategies to expedite required permits and approvals. Client Year

Featured Projects. Commercial Market Study & Municipal Facilities Master Plan New Canaan, Connecticut Commercial Market Study BFJ Planning, in collaboration with Urbanomics, prepared a commercial market study of the New Canaan downtown area to evaluate the overall market feasibility of future development by assessing the existing supply of commercial uses, quantifying the demand for new uses and evaluating the potential market impacts of a range of Town initiatives. These include changes to parking capacity, recent and proposed zoning changes, the potential for increased in-town housing and possible marketing initiatives with Metro-North Railroad. Along with market trends and gaps analyses, focus groups were held with community members, and a subsequent online survey was administered. The unmet local demand by retail type identified in the analyses was examined in terms of spatial requirements and appropriateness under zoning restraints and resident preferences. The resulting recommendations included specific retail types to be pursued and an organizational structure to implement strategies to attract more shoppers to downtown New Canaan by highlighting existing strengths and through collaboration with local cultural attractions. Facilities Master Plan BFJ Planning and Perkins Eastman Architects worked with the Town of New Canaan to develop a Municipal Facilities Master Plan. The Master Plan addressed space and service needs for the Town Hall, Library and Fire Station and other buildings, as well as parking and traffic in the Town Center. The plan recommendations were determined by financial impacts, efficiency of space utilization, parking and traffic impacts, and by the public preferences expressed during the community outreach program. Recommendations included the renovation and expansion of the Town Hall, a proposal that was fully implemented following the completion of the study. Client Year 2011

Featured Projects. East Hartford Plans of Conservation and Development East Hartford, CT BFJ Planning is currently working with The Town of East Hartford to update its 2014 Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), which BFJ also prepared. While many of the prior goals and objectives remain relevant, the update will include an in-depth study of the Founders Plaza office complex along the Connecticut River, where a significant mixed-use development had been proposed. The POCD also focuses on the historical Town Center area along Main Street and identifies strategies to revitalize this key business area and better connect it with development activity along the Silver Lane corridor, lower Main Street, and the riverfront. The year-long POCD update process will be closely coordinated with Town staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The engagement program includes four public workshops and other online engagement activities to provide multiple opportunities to build consensus on goals and objectives and test recommendations for the Plan. Client Town of East Hartford Year 2024

Featured Projects. Westchester Pavilion Rezoning and Generic Environmental Impact Statement White Plains, New York BFJ Planning was retained by Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. to conduct the environmental review of the proposed rezoning of the site of the Westchester Pavilion Mall from a B-6 “Enclosed Mall” district to a CB-3 “Core Business 3” district. The 3.58-acre site, located at 60 South Broadway in Downtown White Plains, was occupied by an underutilized approximately 210,000 square foot traditional enclosed shopping mall. The proposed rezoning allowed for the mixed-use redevelopment of the site with residential, retail, office, hotel and community facility uses with a maximum height of 28-stories (280 feet). BFJ prepared a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) that determined the impact of the maximum worst-case development scenarios possible under existing and proposed rezoning for each technical area of assessment. Following the adoption of the rezoning by the City of White Plains Common Council, BFJ worked in coordination with the project architect (Perkins Eastman) and project civil engineer to prepare and submit a Site Plan Application and site-specific Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) for redevelopment of the Westchester Pavilion site. The proposed development project, which was approved in 2016, includes the construction of 707 multifamily units within two 24-story buildings located on top of street-level commercial uses (totaling approximately 95,396 square feet), and approximately 1,022 parking spaces. The Site Plan and site-specific EAF included an additional traffic impact study, shadow impact analysis, infrastructure and stormwater analysis, parking analysis and design assistance for the parking area, loading docks, and site circulation. Client Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. Year 2016

Featured Projects. Port Washington Main Street Guidelines Port Washington, New York BFJ Planning (BFJ) worked with Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington (RFMBPW) to create a “PortFolio” of design guidelines for downtown Port Washington. The goal of the study is to promote architecturally sensitive mixed use development that will enhance the streetscape along Main Street. Design guidelines have been informed by prior visioning efforts, as well as input from the Town of North Hempstead, local business owners, developers and residents. The PortFolio provides a preliminary analysis of best practices as well as a palette of options with regard to site design, façade treatments, lighting, landscaping, site circulation, parking, etc. from which property owners can choose in developing or enhancing their properties. The study also includes a detailed design analysis for a model block area adjacent to the LIRR train station. Work in this focused area includes recommendations for streetscape and landscape design, façades and signage related to commercial buildings, traffic improvements and zoning/regulatory proposals. Decisions made for the model block area will inform design recommendations for the rest of the Main Street corridor. Client Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, Town of North Hempstead Year 2012