module 1 building quality communities around transit 1

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1 BUILDING QUALITY BUILDING QUALITY COMMUNITIES AROUND COMMUNITIES AROUND TRANSITTRANSIT

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Building Quality Communities Around Transit

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IntroductionThis is one of seven Transit Oriented Development training modules developed by the Regional Plan Association, the Project for Public Spaces and Reconnecting America under contract to the New York State Department of Transportation in collaboration with the New York State Thruway Authority and MTA/Metro-North Railroad. The modules were presented and tested in one-day training sessions in two counties and two-day training sessions in eight municipalities, all in the lower Hudson Valley. Each module is, largely, the culmination of the versions used in the training sessions. The seven modules are as follow.

Module 1: Building Quality Communities Around TransitModule 2: Changing Street Design to Support Liveable DevelopmentModule 3: Smart ParkingModule 4: Creating Great Places Around TransitModule 5: Regulations and Financing Tools for TODModule 6: Building Mixed Income Communities Around TransitModule 7: Station Area Planning


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What it is notWhat it is not"One size fits all" Only high-density housingOnly targeted to certain

market segmentsDisruptive of historic

centers


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What is What is Transit-Oriented Transit-Oriented Development Development (TOD)? (TOD)?

An approach to areas around existing and

new transit that:

Bethesda, MD

• Helps communities control and shape growth.

• Is sensitive to existing neighborhood character.

• Is connected to regional employment centers.

• Creates local jobs and a stronger tax base.

• Is built through partnerships.

Building Quality Communities Building Quality Communities Around TransitAround Transit

TOD is not a new concept. There are common components and

differences. Conscious planning helps communities shape

growth to their greater benefit.

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Transportation and Transportation and Development: 19Development: 19thth and Early and Early

2020thth Centuries Centuries• Growth was

concentrated in areas served by rail and water transport.

• Development was clustered around stations and ports.

• Beyond, area remained largely undeveloped.

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Transportation and Transportation and Development Mid-20Development Mid-20thth Century Century

• Explosive growth of suburbs and auto-oriented development.

• Significant reduction in natural areas and green space.


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Not One Size Fits All: Not One Size Fits All: Calibrate to Local ConditionsCalibrate to Local Conditions

Communities are different• Intensity of uses• Mix of uses• Existing residents and workers

Market demand and transit services are different

• Transit technology• Access modes• Location relative to community


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TOD Capable Communities TOD Capable Communities VaryVary

• Major Activity Centers

• Historic Downtowns

• Newer Office and Commercial Areas

• Newer Residential Areas


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Transit Stations VaryTransit Stations Vary

• Major Multimodal Stations

• Community-Scaled Multimodal Stations

• Walk-up Stops/Stations

Local bus


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Transit and CommunityTransit and CommunityNeed to Work TogetherNeed to Work Together


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Components of Transit-Components of Transit-Oriented DevelopmentOriented Development

• Walkable Neighborhoods

• Accessible Mix of Uses• Travel Options• Quality Public Spaces• Community

Engagement

Village of West Clay, IN


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TOD Components:TOD Components:Walkable NeighborhoodsWalkable Neighborhoods

• Streets and roads that are designed for people, not just cars.

• Buildings that front on the street.

• Designed to provide access for all.

This

Not this


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• Walk to shops and services.• Support local businesses.• Access daily needs without driving.• Link trips to community uses, such as schools and libraries.

Scarsdale, NY

TOD Components:TOD Components:Accessible Mix of UsesAccessible Mix of Uses


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• Transit can’t do it alone.

• Car sharing and shared parking.

• Bike and pedestrian connections.

• High-quality transit network and connections.

TOD Components: Travel TOD Components: Travel OptionsOptions

Palisades Trailway, Orangetown, NY

Milwaukee, WI


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• Are gathering places and opportunities for interaction.

• Reflect local character and community.

• Are venues for activities.

• Demonstrate positive public investment in community and transit.

San Francisco, CA

TOD Components: Quality Public TOD Components: Quality Public SpacesSpaces

East Orange, NJ


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TOD Components:TOD Components:Community EngagementCommunity Engagement

• Has outreach and meaningful involvement in planning process.

• Has long-term strategy and collaboration.

• Has clear implementation steps so everyone can see progress.


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Benefits of Transit-Oriented Benefits of Transit-Oriented DevelopmentDevelopment

1. Economic Development2. Lower Housing and Transportation Costs3. Placemaking4. Environmental and Public Health5. Community and Historic Preservation6. Meets Market Demand7. Improved Transportation System

Performance8. Transportation Choices


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Benefit 1: Benefit 1: Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

• Increases property values and tax revenue.

• Has value-capture opportunities.

• Jobs in accessible locations.

Bronxville, NY


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Land Value Increases Land Value Increases with Proximity to with Proximity to

TransitTransit


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• Attracts investment through public / private partnerships.

• Increases tax base through property value premiums.

Transit is a catalyst for Transit is a catalyst for economic developmenteconomic development


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Transit is a catalyst for Transit is a catalyst for economic developmenteconomic development

Maplewood, NJ

Phoenix, AZ

Bradley Beach, NJ

New Investment Reinvestment

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Benefit 2: Reduced Housing Benefit 2: Reduced Housing and Transportation Costsand Transportation Costs

• People choose to own fewer cars and drive less.

• Greater concentrated local spending power.

• Opportunities emerge to link a range of incomes and household types with other amenities. Mixed-Income Transit-Oriented Development in

Boston


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Households Near Transit Households Near Transit Spend Less on TransportationSpend Less on Transportation

Source: Center for TOD Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, 2004 Bureau of Labor Statistics


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Housing + Transportation CostsHousing + Transportation Costs

• Areas near transit have lowest combined H &T costs.

• Many people spend more than 60 percent of income on H & T.

• Transit investment is an affordability strategy.


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Benefit 3: PlacemakingBenefit 3: Placemaking

THIS NOT THIS


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Benefit 4:Benefit 4: Environmental Environmental

and Public Healthand Public Health

• Driving is rising faster than population; physical activity is declining.

• Cars and light trucks account for 1/6 of domestic GHG emissions.

• Obesity is 10 percent of total US health-care costs.

Portland, OR

Palisades Trailway


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Benefit 5: Benefit 5: Community and Historic Community and Historic

PreservationPreservation• Opportunity to

reinforce existing development.

• Reinvestment in historic buildings.

• Reuse of vacant or abandoned buildings.

• Historic Preservation tax credit.

Tarrytown, NY


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Benefit 6: Market Demand is Benefit 6: Market Demand is MetMet

• Neighborhoods can respond to 21st century desires.• Housing for working families.

Tarrytown, NY

Pelham Village

• Housing demand responds to transit investment.


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Benefit 7: Improved Benefit 7: Improved Transportation System Transportation System

PerformancePerformance

• Reduced congestion and travel time.

• Access and connections to regional transportation systems.

PHOTOS/GRAPHICS TO BE ADDED

PHOTOS/GRAPHICS TO BE ADDED

Woodbridge, NJ

Tappan Zee Express


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Reduce congestion and travel Reduce congestion and travel timetime

Focus activity around transit to reduce vehicle trips.

Link bike, pedestrian and street networks.


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Benefit 8: Transportation Benefit 8: Transportation ChoiceChoice

• Higher transit ridership

• Increased walking and biking

• Reduced auto ownership and use

• Shorter commutes

Existing Commute Mode within ½-mile of station

Station Transit Walk Bike

Nanuet 9% 1% 0.3%

Spring Valley 12% 3% 0.4%

Suffern 12% 4% 1.6%

Tarrytown 19% 8% 0.2%

White Plains 21% 9% 0.1%

Port Chester 13% 12% 0.1%Source: US Census 2000 and Center for TOD National TOD Database


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Benefits come from better connections to the regional transportation system

Transportation ChoiceTransportation Choice

Improved access to rail. New bus rapid transit and rail

investment. Seamless and pleasant transit

transfers.

How are Quality Communities How are Quality Communities Around Transit Built?Around Transit Built?

Station Area and Development Plans

Community Benefits Agreements

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Capital Improvement PlansProgramming and

Management

TOD Zoning Joint Development Financing tools (IDA, TIF)

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1QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?COMMENTS?COMMENTS?

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module 1 building quality communities around transit 1

Documents

transit module

building quality communities

new transit

transit tod

transit services

tod module

communities control

strategies transit planning