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Summit Moves Toward Transit Village Designation, Future of Program Remains Uncertain

September 28th, 2011 by

Summit Train Station

Source: Gordon Crawford, RE/MAX Properties Unlimited

The Planning Board in Summit voted unanimously this week to seek Transit Village status from the state Department of Transportation. This designation makes communities eligible for special technical assistance and funding from the state in exchange for adopting sound municipal planning and zoning that takes advantage of and enhances transit usage.

While Summit’s move is an important step in the right direction for the community, the initiative could fall short should the DOT fail to commit to the Transit Village program this year. As New Jersey Future noted back in August, funding for the program was cut from the FY2012 budget that took effect July 1, despite strong support from communities and even DOT Commissioner Jim Simpson.

The commissioner could still exercise some of his discretionary power to find resources within the department’s budget to keep this important program alive. Summit, as well as other municipalities that are committed to revitalizing and redeveloping the areas around their transit stations, deserve state support.

 

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