BAYONNE -- The architectural firm hired to create the city's master plan has released its final draft that outlines a vision for Bayonne as a "thriving city with a diversified economy, significant employment, modern infrastructure and an expanding tax base."

The draft plan calls for mixed-use redevelopment in the neighborhoods surrounding the city's four Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stations to help revitalize the Broadway and Avenue E economic corridors.

The draft, prepared by DMR Architects, recommends the city establish "station area plans" for the neighborhoods within a quarter mile of each of the light rail stations at Eighth, 22nd, 34th and 45th streets.

These areas would function as "transit villages" with "a mixture of uses, (and) high density residential development" that takes advantage of nearby transit and includes features that encourage walking, biking, and transit ridership with an emphasis on pedestrian circulation, according to the proposal.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station areas targeted for redevelopment.

The draft plan also recommends amending current zoning laws along Broadway to increase development and promote shared and public parking, while also expediting the submittal and review process for development applicants.

By implementing these recommendations, Broadway would become more streamlined for economic development by ensuring only retail and commercial projects on the first floor of buildings along the thoroughfare, the plan states.

It also recommends the city to continue considering long-term tax abatements in the station areas but states that redevelopment projects should be required to include public spaces, like parks and plazas.

Under the draft plan, a two-tiered zoning classification would also be created -- comprising catalyst and non-catalyst development projects. The catalyst classification would allow for projects to be between eight and 10 stories, while non-catalyst development projects would be permitted between four and six stories.

Developers of catalyst projects would also have to build a public park or open space at a minimum of 100 square feet for every residential unit and 25 square feet for every 1,000 square feet of commercial or retail property, the plan states

It also suggests creating a rubber tire trolley service running east and west between Avenue A and Avenue E -- to and from the NJ Transit stations -- to reduce parking on residential streets.

Public parking structures are also suggested within a half mile of the station redevelopment areas -- part of a comprehensive parking management and feasibility plan for both on- and off-street parking facilities.

While the plan recommends loosening zoning restrictions for these designated areas, it suggests that zoning restrictions be strengthened in the city's residential areas containing two-family housing to "protect and preserve the size, scale and character of existing residential neighborhoods by eliminating the encroachment of commercial and multi-family uses" in the areas.

DMR Architects outlined major problems related to land development in its 144-page draft, and provided updated recommendations for policy, land use and planning based on a changing pattern of development.

The finalized plan will set goals for development, preservation, transportation, recreation, and other aspects of the community's future.

The draft plan acknowledged significant improvements based upon the previous plan adopted in 2000, citing the development plans on the Military Ocean Terminal, along Avenue E, and the Texaco site.

In its introduction, the plan states that the city's economic revitalization "will result in a significant employment increase by 2020 fueled by the redevelopment of the MOTBY, Texaco site, Broadway Corridor Central Business District, Lefante Highway/Route 169 Corridor and Avenue E Transit District."

City officials in April approved a $20,000 contract increase for DMR Architects to incorporate a proposed commuter ferry from Bayonne to Manhattan into the city's master plan.

The contract now stands at $126,800.

The city will hold a public forum to discuss the master plan on June 26 at 7 p.m.

The draft will then be taken to the city's planning board for review and recommendations. A finalized plan will then emerge and go before the planning board and city council for approval.