North Montclair Downtown Specific Plan

The North Montclair Downtown Specific Plan is a major land-use plan prepared by planning consultants and architects (Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists) in concert with City staff to provide master planning services across approximately 150 acres in North Montclair.

The adopted land use plan creates the framework for new development opportunities for a mixed-use, transit-oriented district between the Montclair Transcenter, which is currently a major stop on Metrolink's San Bernardino line and will eventually be the easterly terminus of the Metro Gold Line light rail, and the Montclair Plaza regional shopping center.

The Plan envisions a walkable, vibrant Town Center that includes multiple uses and activities that take advantage of the major transit amenities. The Plan would implement a transit-oriented, mixed-use development that links land use and transit as mutually supportive through a unified approach to development. Mixed-use development plans are becoming an increasingly important way to energize existing commercial areas such as the underutilized areas of North Montclair by creating quality mixed-density housing and commercial opportunities. The Plan includes a “pedestrian first” mixed-use district, which requires an extensive, connected network of public spaces and smaller streets. This would be achieved through the proper balance of cars and pedestrian linkages that are dependent on a sidewalk network associated with amenities like landscaping, bicycle routes, transit service and public parking.

The Plan also includes a “form-based” code to regulate private development. In contrast to conventional zoning that divides land by uses, the form-based code for North Montclair is organized by geography or place. The Code provides regulations for three unique places: Town Center (mixed-use district near the Montclair Transcenter), Corridor Residential (medium- to high-density housing), and Neighborhood Residential (low- to medium-density housing), with an emphasis on the design of individual buildings directed to form the public realm.

The Specific Plan will follow a market-driven development strategy in four phases:

The Plan's goal is to establish livable neighborhoods based upon the concept of traditional town centers by creating mixed-density housing types (townhouses, condominiums, apartments, live/work lofts, and courtyard housing) above retail and office as demonstrated by the photo simulations below.

To view the North Montclair Downtown Specific Plan adopted on May 15, 2006, please review the below report. The report is organized by individual Chapters for easier downloading.

Name			Download
Table of Contents			PDF (1.2 MB)
Chapter 1: Introduction			PDF (1.1 MB)
Chapter 2: The Plan, Concepts and Programs			PDF (804 KB)
Chapter 4: Great Squares & Streets, Guidelines for the Public Realm			PDF (3.4 MB)
Chapter 3: Illustrative Projects, Design Concepts for Specific Sites			PDF (4.4 MB)
Chapter 5: The Code, Guidelines for the Private Realm			PDF (7.5 MB)
Chapter 6: Implementation, Public Projects & Phasing			PDF (1.6 MB)

Housing Developments Within the NMDSP

Village at Montclair

The Village at Montclair is an approximately six-acre mixed-use neighborhood development in the heart of the NMDSP TOD. The 360-unit multifamily mixed-use residential community is conveniently located adjacent to the Montclair Transcenter/Future Gold Line Station (Station) on Arrow Highway, Montclair Place, and other prominent retailers. Most significantly, the development integrates access to the Station via an on-site pathway. Village at Montclair envisions creating a robust transit-oriented community complete with convenience and a superb quality of life environment. The up-and-coming glamourous development is one small part of an exciting redesign and development process to establish a downtown area oriented towards walkability, sustainability, and community.

Alexan Kendry

The Alexan Kendry Montclair apartment community is the most recently completed residential project in the NMDSP area. The “modern agrarian” architectural style project is located on a 6.27-acre site, minutes away from the Montclair Transcenter, Montclair Place, and other popular retailers. The amenitized 211-unit apartment community was developed by Trammel Crow Residential and was awarded the 2021 Golden Nugget Multifamily Community of the Year, Four Stories and Above. The 1-and 2-bedroom unit configurations range from 760 to 1,200 SF. This development marks the fourth residential development within the boundaries of the NMDSP.

The Paseos

The Paseos at Montclair North, a 385-unit upscale apartment development, conducted its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 15, 2013, representing the first residential project within the North Montclair Downtown Specific Plan. The Paseos features a classic Santa Barbara design incorporating townhouses and courtyard units with open promenades and gardens. The community building/leasing office was completed in Spring 2013, and framing of the residential buildings began in July 2013. The Paseos also includes a public park, recreational areas, two community pools, and significant amenities for residents.

Garth Erdossy, President of GLJ Partners, The Paseos developer, described how his company was impressed with the forward-thinking nature and progressiveness of the Specific Plan, along with the proximity to Montclair's assets, including access to Metrolink and the future Metro Gold Line, nearby freeways, shopping and dining opportunities and institutions of higher education.

North Montclair Downtown Specific Plan