A Green Infrastructure Plan for Hackensack (draft)�Overview

LEONARDO VAZQUEZ, AICP/PP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

MARCH 10, 2025

About this plan

• Key component of Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation initiative
• Lead partners: NNJCF, Greater Bergen Community Action, City of Hackensack, Hackensack Public Schools
• Major funding from: Partners for Places, GM Foundation, Valley Bank, M&T Bank, PSEG Foundation and others
• Independent plan with strong focus on environmental justice
• Goal is to get the plan adopted by City Council, incorporated into City’s plans

Plan goals

• Reduce flooding
• Reduce air pollution
• Reduce stormwater pollution
• Increase green space and tree canopy
• Make Hackensack more livable
• Mental and physical health
• Property values
• Reduction in crime

Why this plan? Why now?

CURRENT ISSUES THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED BY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

• Flooding
• Stormwater pollution
• Air pollution
• Lack of greenery in some parts of City

EXPECTED CONDITIONS

• Increased frequency and intensity of potential storms
• Summers will get hotter
• More development in the Hackensack River Watershed

EPA Designated Disadvantaged Communities

Areas in green are designated as disadvantaged by EPA

Source: https://www.bakertilly.com/page/low-income-disadvantaged-communities-mapping-tool

https://www.treeequityscore.org/map#13.03/40.8883/-74.02768

Hackensack Fire Department

Water-Related Calls

2019-2024

Northern Hackensack

Western, southern and central Hackensack

Hackensack Fire Department

Water-Related Calls

2019-2024

Tree equity score 75 or below

Google Streetviews of Hudson and Lafayette Streets, September 2024

Approach to this plan

• Community-guided
• Data-informed
• Environmental justice

Plan recommendations

• Site-specific strategies
• Policy strategies
• Community engagement and capacity building
• Financing

Site-specific strategies

Plan recommendations: sinks and strainers

SINKS: RAIN GARDENS, PERMEABLE PAVEMENT, TREE BOXES

• Fanny Meyer Hillers School
• Polify Road Park
• Hackensack Fire Department Engine 2
• Fairmount Park
• Johnson Park

STRAINERS: GREEN STREETS TO REDUCE WATER FLOW AND CLEAN STORMWATER

• First Street/Polify Road
• Railroad Avenue
• State Street
• Main Street
• Union Street
• Green Street
• Hudson Street
• Johnson Avenue
• Prospect Avenue

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• Passaic Street
• Passaic Street
• Central Avenue
• Essex Street
• Lodi Street

Your thoughts on site-specific strategies

Priority of enhancements

1. Locations where flooding is worst
2. Highest concentrations of low and moderate-income households
3. Highest concentrations of retail stores, personal services, light industrial or auto-related uses
4. Uphill areas of Hackensack that feed stormwater into other areas listed above

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Your thoughts on priority of enhancements

Policy strategies

• All development that disturbs at least ¼ acre of land reduce stormwater runoff by 50% to 80%.
• Zoning Board should require applications for additions to mitigate 110% of the runoff generated by the addition.
• Require all curb strips to have vegetated elements or permeable pavement, or property owners pay into a green infrastructure fund.
• Design

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Your thoughts on policy strategies

Monitoring and minimizing green displacement

• City should strictly enforce rent control laws
• HEJA and other community groups should be aware of and report on gentrification that may be prodded by green infrastructure

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Community engagement and capacity building

• Hackensack environmental groups and City meet annually to coordinate community engagement activities
• HEJA should continue listening sessions throughout city, provide wikimap to solicit feedback
• HEJA should pursue stronger collaborations with businesses, owners of large properties and schools
• Create seasonal work opportunities in green infrastructure for Hackensack residents
• Train City DPW staff in green infrastructure installation and maintenance

Financing

Option 1: Stormwater utility

• Dedicated fund for flood reduction
• Every property owner pays something, based on the amount of impervious surface on their land
• New Brunswick & Maplewood: Average homeowner pays about $70 -$77 per year
• Reduction in fee for smaller houses, rain gardens, or other runoff reduction strategies
• Benefit: Large dedicated source of funding / $1 million + annually
• Issue: Large commercial or residential property owners likely to pass on costs to tenants

Option 2: Percentage for green infrastructure

• City dedicates percentage of budget to fund green infrastructure (e.g., 1%)
• Benefits: Large source of funding ($1.28 million if 1% used)
• Issues: Less money for other City-funded items, highly dependent on ongoing political support

Option 3: Tax increment financing

• Dedicate a portion of the property tax revenue raised by new development in town to fund green infrastructure
• Benefits: No new fees
• Issues: Funding depends of pace of development, speed of revaluation; tax revenue could be used for other things

Your thoughts on financing

• Option 1: Stormwater utility
• Option 2: Percentage for green infrastructure
• Option 3: Tax increment financing

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA