Township of Toms River s Ortley Beach and North Beaches: What was the approach to sustainability and resiliency planning after Superstorm Sandy?

Transcription

1 Township of Toms River s Ortley Beach and North Beaches: What was the approach to sustainability and resiliency planning after Superstorm Sandy? Photo Credits: T. Larsen (Photo 1); C. Yuhas (Photos 3-4) Catherine E. Yuhas SES 660A, Capstone Master of Science Candidate Sustainable Environmental Systems Graduate Center for Planning & the Environment Pratt Institute Alec Appelbaum Jaime Stein December 15, 2017

2 Who is the client? Urban Coast Institute Monmouth University, Long Branch, NJ Thomas Herrington Mission: Integrate research, policy, and stewardship in coastal ecosystems and communities Goal for this project: To improve community engagement in the process of rebuilding for resiliency and sustainability Source: Urban Coast Institute

3 Assess the system of recovery at Ortley Beach & the North Beaches The Problem Public & private beaches lacking a cohesive plan to address... Sustainability & Resiliency Planning Stormwater Management Nuisance Flooding

4 To be discussed in this presentation Background to understand the government and logistics Assessment of the events that took place after Sandy Recommendations for a neighborhood plan

5 The Township of Toms River is in the Barnegat Bay Watershed. Source: Barnegat Bay Partnership; Kauffman & Cruz-Ortiz, 2012

6 Eight neighborhood sections under the Township of Toms River Township of Toms River includes: 1 Toms River 2 East Toms River 3 West Toms River 4 North Toms River 5 Pleasant Plains 6 Silverton 7 Ortley Beach 8 North Beaches Source: Roberts et al., 2014

7 Ortley Beach & the North Beaches are located on New Jersey s Northern Barrier Island North Beaches Township of Toms River New Jersey Northern Barrier Island Ortley Beach 3-miles along the Atlantic Ocean Source: Esri; Roberts & Stahl, 2017; Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

8 Eleven beach communities are part of the North Beaches. Normandy Beach Silver Beach Chadwick Beach Ocean Beach I Ocean Beach II Ocean Beach III Ocean Beach Shores, Ocean Beach and Bay Club Association Rutherford Homes Brightwater Association Villa Condo Association Source: Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

9 Dynamic shoreline in its natural state Only Area Suitable for Development Source: McHarg, 1969

10 Dynamic shoreline even in a built environment 1973 Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) of NJ Coastal Zone Management Established CAFRA protected areas Improve economy Regulates development in coastal areas CAFRA Protected Areas Permits needed from State Restricts impervious coverage Source: Google; Michael Baker International, 2016; Roberts & Stahl, 2017

11 Dynamic shoreline even in a built environment CAFRA Coastal Centers 1999 to 2016 Growth encouraged 80% impervious coverage allowed Ortley Beach & the North Beaches Conditional Plan Endorsement CAFRA Planning Areas (1) Suburban Planning Area (2) Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area 3% impervious coverage allowed Ortley Beach & the North Beaches The barrier island...is the most densely developed areas of the Township. Source: Google; Michael Baker International, 2016; Roberts & Stahl, 2017

12 In order to enjoy New Jersey s 127-mile coastline... Photo Credit: NJ Climate Adaptation Alliance, 2014 Photo Credit: C. Yuhas

13 Public access is maintained under the Public Trust Doctrine. Dates back to Roman law & English common law In New Jersey: Horizontal and vertical access of the shoreline Access to the foreshore (area between the mean high tide and mean low tide water marks) Source: Cornell, et.al., 2017; Michael Baker International, 2016; Potash, 2016

14 System of government for Ortley Beach & the North Beaches Ortley Beach is a public Ortley Beach Township of Toms River North Beaches beach. The North Both pay property taxes to Toms River Beaches are Public beach Both follow the Public Trust Doctrine Private beach associations private beaches. Purchase badges for beach access from Toms River Recreation Department Both use fees to pay for lifeguards & beach maintenance Purchase badges for beach access from beach associations Source: Lynch & Stahl, 2015

15 System of government for Ortley Beach Ortley Beach Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association Toms River Recreation Department Nonprofit Organization Mission: Promotes Quality of Life in Ortley Beach Manage Beaches Monthly Meetings from April to November Liaison to Toms River, Ocean County, State of NJ Membership Dues $30 Source: Lynch & Stahl, 2015; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association

16 Public beach amenities for Ortley Beach Bathroom Facilities Parking Township of Toms River Beach Rules Source: Lynch & Stahl, 2015; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association Photo Credits: C. Yuhas

17 System of government for the North Beaches North Beaches Eleven Beach Associations Board of Trustees Meetings Vary by Beach Maintain Beaches & Community; Set Rules & Regulations Township of Toms River: No Jurisdiction Over Associations Membership Dues Vary by Beach Source: Lynch & Stahl, 2015; Spoto, 2013

18 Private beach association amenities for the North Beaches Beach association sets beach rules Beach associations planted vegetation & maintains beach Beach association sets beach rules Source: Lynch & Stahl, 2015; Spoto, 2013 Photo Credits: C. Yuhas

19 Demographics based on census districts North Beaches Population: 1157 Seasonal Population 16% (Houses in Township of Toms River) Mainland Toms River Population: 88,687 Ortley Beach Population: 1185 Source: Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016; US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year.

20 What was the damage to the barrier island from Superstorm Sandy? Breaches along barrier island Inlet formed Roadways, sidewalks, & storm drains collapsed Underground drainage system impacted Homes & business impacted Beach erosion Flooding Source: NJ Department of Transportation; Donohue Photo Credit: C. Yuhas

21 Photo Credit: C. Yuhas

22 Photo Credit: T. Larsen

23 Photo Credit: A. Mills

24 What was the damage to Ortley Beach & the North Beaches from Superstorm Sandy? 6,500 Houses Damaged 2,690 Houses Substantially Damaged (50% of the house is damaged.) Ortley Beach: 2,600 total houses 1,165 substantially damaged 200 uninhabitable houses or completely gone moved by storm surge 60 houses not damaged Source: Roberts et al., 2014

25 What was done on northern barrier island right after Sandy to assist with the recovery? Rt 35 North Before & After Reconstruction NJDOT (May 2013 to June 2015) Route 35 reconstruction 8-in concrete slabs replaced with 2-ft asphalt & stone Stormwater drainage system improvements 25-year storm 9 pump stations Facility to filter stormwater Complete streets - sidewalks, bicycle lanes, crosswalks, landscaping Source: NJDOT; Mikle, 2017 Photo Credits: Corporal Chris Raia/Toms River Police Department

26 What was done on northern barrier island right after Sandy to assist with the recovery? NJDOT Inlet repaired in Mantoloking where Atlantic Ocean breached the barrier island (Days to 2 months) Utilities replaced or repaired (Started immediately after Sandy) Source: NJDOT Photo Credit: NJDOT (Photo 1); ABC (Photo 2); C. Yuhas (Photo 3)

27 What did the Township of Toms River do to recover from the storm? Planning Professionals Planning Documents Public Meetings Zoning Ordinances All of these efforts led to sustainability & resiliency planning Strategic Planning Neighborhood Plans Assessment of Hazards Ombudsman

28 What did the Township of Toms River do to recover from the storm? Dune Building to Protect from Future Storms: Ortley Beach & North Beaches (with signed easements for the USACE Beach Replenishment Project) Source: Township of Toms River Photo Credits: C. Yuhas

29 Planning documents for the Township of Toms River after Sandy NJ Department of Community Affairs provided Post Sandy Recovery Planning Grants Planning documents were developed by the Township of Toms River to promote sustainability and resiliency Source: Heyer, Gruel & Associates, 2016; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts et al., 2014; Roberts & Stahl, 2017; Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, 2015; Lynch & Stahl, 2015; Michael Baker International, 2016; Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

30 Planning documents developed for the Township of Toms River after Sandy Ortely Beach Strategic Plan Township of Toms River Post Sandy Strategic Recovery Planning Report Getting to Resilience Report Township of Toms River Municipal Public Access Plan Township of Toms River Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Township of Toms River Smart Growth Plan & 2017 Township of Toms River Sustainability & Resiliency Master Plan Updates Source: Heyer, Gruel & Associates, 2016; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts et al., 2014; Roberts & Stahl, 2017; Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, 2015; Lynch & Stahl, 2015; Michael Baker International, 2016; Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

31 Action Items Strategic Plan for Neighborhood Ortley Beach North Beaches Not all action items planned by the Township of Toms River are for both Ortley Beach and the North Beaches. Placemaking Planning Committee Member for Hazard Mitigation Study Improve Parking Bicycle & Pedestrian Friendly Diversity of Stores & Restaurants Incorporate Resiliency Follow Zoning to Elevate Houses Source: Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts et al., 2014; Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, 2015; Lynch & Stahl, 2015; Michael Baker International, 2016; Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

32 What does the recovery look like in Ortley Beach & the North Beaches? Ortley Beach North Beaches Big House Next to Small House Houses on Pilings Empty Lots Photo Credits: C. Yuhas

33 What does the recovery look like in Ortley Beach & the North Beaches? Houses elevated to meet FEMA s Base Flood Elevation Standards Many variance applications Expand footprint of house Township of Toms River implemented Floor Area Ratio Limits variances granted Source: Roberts & Stahl, 2017 Photo Credits: C. Yuhas

34 The base flood elevation & coastal zones are used to keep these areas out of harm s way. Base Flood Elevation Coastal Zones Source: FEMA Region 2

35 What does the recovery look like in Ortley Beach & the North Beaches? 6,500 Houses Damaged 2,690 Houses Substantially Damaged (50% of the house is damaged.) 1,200 Substantially Damaged Houses have NOT been repaired. Source: Roberts et al., 2014; Roberts & Stahl, 2017

36 What does the recovery look like in Ortley Beach & the North Beaches? Beach Erosion January 2017 USACE Beach Replenishment December 2017 Ortley Beach Lifeguard Station Source: Mikle, 2017; Spoto, 2017 Photo Credits: M. Sabawa (Photo 1); C. Yuhas (Photo 2)

37 Strategic planning for a sustainable community worked for Dauphin Island, Alabama Goals: Improve resource management Improve land use Improve economic vitality Improve community growth Outcomes: Conservation & protection of resources Sense of place Improved planning & economics Source: Five E s Unlimited, 2007; Flint, 2010; City of Mobile GIS Department, Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, NGA, EPA, USDA, NPS

38 Strategic planning for a sustainable community worked for Dauphin Island, Alabama Why Strategic Planning: Sustainable development to improve their economy, ecology, and society Shared Mission Problem Engaged Stakeholders Damage from Hurricanes Ivan & Katrina Concerned about uncontrolled growth after hurricanes Strategic Planning Shoreline Recession Year-round & seasonal residents Influx of wealthier residents Community Capacity Weaknesses, Threats & Assets Pattern Mapping Source: Five E s Unlimited, 2007; Flint, 2010

39 Comparison between Dauphin Island, Alabama & the Study Site Similarities: Impacted by natural disasters Same amount of year-round residents Barrier islands Differences: Low-impact versus high density development Branding Dauphin Island working on branding Northern barrier island beach communities have varied character Source: Five E s Unlimited, 2007; Flint, 2010

40 How can Dauphin Island be a model for the northern barrier island of New Jersey? Lessons Learned: Community input led to citizen engagement & responsibility to achieving goals Tackling many action items at once Put issues on the same level Planning for sustainability led to planning that included the economy, ecology, and society Model for Ortley Beach & the North Beaches: Community-based process Shared mission developed Promoted sustainability & resiliency Source: Five E s Unlimited, 2007; Flint, 2010 Photo Credit: C. Yuhas

41 Recommendations for the North Beaches to create a cohesive and organized group of beach associations Why only the North Beaches & not Ortley Beach?

42 Recommendations for the North Beaches to create a cohesive and organized group of beach associations Because the North Beaches are lacking a neighborhood plan. Beaches that have a neighborhood plan: Ortley Beach Brick Township beaches Source: Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts

43 Neighborhood plan developed in Ortley Beach Increase park access and recreational opportunities Improve streetscape and landscape Plant native vegetation Create a sense of place Beach maintenance Street & sewer cleaning Source: Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts Photo Credit: C. Yuhas

44 Neighborhood plan developed in Brick Township barrier island beaches North of the North Beaches Support USACE dune & beach replenishment project Dune maintenance Public engagement in dune maintenance Public education about dunes Living shorelines on bayside Source: Barnegat Bay Partnership; Roberts

45 Neighborhood plan developed in Brick Township barrier island beaches Develop branding while maintaining specific identities of the various beaches Increase walkability & bikeability Improve wayfinding Source: Roberts

46 Neighborhood plan developed in Brick Township barrier island beaches Reduce setbacks Elevate houses & provide design guidelines for new buildings Native vegetation, landscaping & streetscaping to capture stormwater Source: Roberts

47 System of government in Brick Township barrier island beaches Brick Federation of Beach Associations (FOBA) Both public & private beaches President of the FOBA was appointed to: Township Planning Board Floodplain Management Committee Hazard Mitigation Committee Currently elected to Town Council as President Currently serves on Environmental Commission Source: Brick Township; Roberts

48 Brick Township barrier island beaches can be a model for the North Beaches Cohesive plan for both private and public beaches to promote sustainability & resiliency Government of the barrier island beach associations intertwined with Brick Township government Creating a federation gives the beach associations a voice and more power to accomplish their goals Source: Brick Township; Roberts

49 What are the recommendations to promote sustainability & resiliency at the North Beaches? Create 4 Develop Strategic planning for the North Beaches for sustainability and resiliency Neighborhood plan for the North Beaches a new board of trustees member, Sustainability Liaison Position roles & responsibilities for Sustainability Liaison Potential Areas for Planning: Nuisance flooding Planting native vegetation on association properties Decreasing impervious surfaces Protection of dunes Education & outreach Promote stewardship Branding Source: Five E s Unlimited, 2007; Flint, 2010; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts; Roberts et al., 2014; Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

50 What are the recommendations to promote sustainability & resiliency at the North Beaches? Create 4 Develop Strategic planning for the North Beaches for sustainability & resiliency Neighborhood plan for the North Beaches a new board of trustees member, Sustainability Liaison Position roles & responsibilities for Sustainability Liaison Identify stakeholders Hold public meetings Identify strengths & weaknesses Identify areas of improvements Identify how the North Beaches can work with Toms River Environmentally sensitive planning area Source: Five E s Unlimited, 2007; Flint, 2010; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts et al., 2014; Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

51 What are the recommendations to promote sustainability & resiliency at the North Beaches? Create 4 Develop Strategic planning for the North Beaches for sustainability and resiliency Neighborhood plan for the North Beaches a new board of trustees member, Sustainability Liaison Position roles & responsibilities for Sustainability Liaison Use the strategic planning process to develop objectives and action items for the North Beaches Develop branding for the North Beaches while maintaining each beach community s existing character Source: Five E s Unlimited, 2007; Flint, 2010; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014; Roberts; Roberts et al., 2014; Toms River Division of Community Development, 2016

52 What are the recommendations to promote sustainability & resiliency at the North Beaches? Develop Strategic planning for the North Beaches for sustainability and resiliency Neighborhood plan for the North Beaches Create a new board of trustees member, Sustainability Liaison roles & responsibilities for Sustainability Liaison Each beach association creates a Sustainability Liaison (unpaid) Beach associations coordinate through this position on sustainability & resiliency Source: Nanden, 2017; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014

53 What are the recommendations to promote sustainability & resiliency at the North Beaches? Create 4 Strategic planning for the North Beaches for sustainability and resiliency Neighborhood plan for the North Beaches a new board of trustees member, Sustainability Liaison Position Develop roles & responsibilities for Sustainability Liaison Promotes the objectives & action items of the Neighborhood Plan Communicates with the Board of Trustees, Community, and the Township of Toms River Obtain a place on the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Source: Nanden, 2017; Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association, 2014

54 Thank you. Questions? Photo Credit: C. Yuhas

55 Citations Barnegat Bay Partnership. Explore Your Watershed Address. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, Brick Township (n.d.). Town Council. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from Cornell, Sean, Fitzgerald, D., Frey, N., Georgiou, I., Hanegan, K.C., Hung, L., Kulp, M., Maygarden, D., Retchless, D., and Yarnal, B. (2017). Nearshore, Beaches, and Dunes. The Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved December 06, 2017, from Donohue, Brian. (2015, October 27). Should N.J. have Left Hurricane Sandy Inlet Open?. Retrieved October 22, should_nj_have_left_hurricane_sandy_inlet_open.html FEMA Region 2. (n.d.). Coastal Mapping Basics. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from Five E s Unlimited. (2007). Dauphin Island Strategic Plan 20 Year Vision: Final Report & Implementation Recommendations. Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Publication Number: MASGP pp. Retrieved October 1, Flint, R. Warren. (Summer 2010). Seeking Resiliency in the Development of Sustainable Communities. Human Ecology Review. Vol. 17 Issue 1, p p. Retrieved October 1, Heyer, Gruel & Associates.(2016, October). Toms River Sustainability & Resiliency. Master Plan Update. Retrieved November 10, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve. (2015, June). Getting to Resilience Recommendations Report Township of Toms River. Retrieved November 10, Kauffman, G. & Cruz-Ortiz, C. (2012). Economic Value of the Barnegat Bay Watershed. University of Delaware. Retrieved October 8, BarnegatBay_report.pdf. Lynch, J. & Stahl, E. (2015, December 9). Township of Toms River Municipal Public Access Plan. Retrieved November 10, MasterPlan/MPAP-Template-Final Adopted-by-PBd pdf. MacHarg, I. (1969). Design with nature. Natural history press. Michael Baker International. (2016, October 14). Toms River Township Draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Retrieved November 10, MasterPlan/Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.pdf.

56 Citations Mikle, J. (2017, January 25). Toms River beach repair cost: $500K. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from Mikle, J. (2017, October 26). Ortley Beach: a neighborhood forever changed by Sandy. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from sandy-recovery/2017/10/26/ortley-beach-neighborhood-forever-changed-sandy/ / Nanden, Gita. (2017). Look at Past, Present, and Future: NY Rising Plan. A Night of Resiliency Panel Discussion. APA Sustainable Communities Division (SCD) and Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery (HMDR) Division. NJ Climate Adaptation Alliance. (2014, April). A Summary of Climate Change Impacts and Preparedness Opportunities for the Coastal Communities in New Jersey. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Retrieved November 23, NJ Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Route 35 Reconstruction Project. Retrieved October 27, NJ Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Route 35 Reconstruction Project. Retrieved December 8, completestreets.shtm NJ Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Route 35 Reconstruction Project. Retrieved December 12, schedule.shtm NJ Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Route 35 Reconstruction Project. Retrieved December 12, impacts.shtm NJ Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Route 35 Reconstruction Project. Retrieved December 12, improvements.shtm Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved November 10, 2017, from Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association. (2014). Ortley Beach Strategic Plan. Retrieved November 10, 2017, from

57 Citations Potash, J. (2016). The Public Trust Doctrine and Beach Access: Comparing New Jersey to Nearby States. Law School Student Scholarship. Paper 738. Retrieved October 18, Roberts, D. G. (n.d.). Brick Barrier Island, Brick Township, New Jersey Neighborhood Plan. Retrieved December 11, Barrier_Island_Neighborhood_Plan.pdf Roberts, D. G., Green, D. A., & Bloch, D. N. (2014, September 5). Township of Toms River. Strategic Planning Recovery Report (Tech.). Maser Consulting. Retrieved November 10, Roberts, D. G. & Stahl, E. (2017, April 9). Township of Toms River. Master Plan Land Use Element Update. Retrieved December 7, downloads/masterplan/land-use-element-adopted pdf. Spoto, M. (2013, March 16). Changing times for residents of Ocean Beach after Hurricane Sandy. NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017, from nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/changing_times_for_residents_o.html Spoto, M. (2017, May 11). Long-awaited $128M Jersey Shore beach replenishment to start next month. Retrieved December 12, 2017, from ssf/2017/03/long-awaited_beach_replenishment_to_start_in_ortle.html Toms River Division of Community Development (2016, July. Revised 2016, November). Toms River Township Smart Growth Plan. Retrieved November 10, Township of Toms River. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2017, from Urban Coast Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2017, from Urban Coast Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2017, from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year. Retrieved December 1, 2017.

58 Citations Maps: Map of NJ: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, USGS, EPA, NPS Map of Northern Barrier Island: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, NGA, EPA, USDA, NPS Map of North Beaches: Google Maps. Map of Dauphin Island: City of Mobile GIS Department, Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, NGA, EPA, USDA, NPS Photo Credits: Slide 1: Larsen, Tim. Governor s Office. State of New Jersey Slide 1, 12, 16, 18, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 33, 36, 40, 43, 54 Yuhas, Catherine. 2017, Slide 23: Mills, Andrew. Slide 25: Corporal Chris Raia/Toms River Police Department. Slide 26: NJDOT. ABC Slide 36: Melody Sabawa.