TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT POLICY DRAFT City Planning and Development Department Kansas City, Missouri
What is Transit Oriented Development (TOD)? Development that focuses land uses around a transit station or within a transit corridor Maximize access to frequent, high-quality transit. Characterized by dense, compact development with a mix of uses in a pedestrian-oriented environment.
Why do we need a TOD Policy? Downtown streetcar line New development supports major transit investment Future streetcar expansions Guides more detailed planning (neighborhoods, station areas) Improves position for future transit funds Ensure existing/future plans incorporate TOD policies Identifies potential barriers Assists in prioritizing capital improvements Facilitates improved coordination of agencies and departments Identifies a concise implementation program Applies Citywide and all modes: bus, streetcar, and other rail.
How was this draft created? Outgrowth of a variety of initiatives including: Nextrail Phase II Streetcar Expansion Plan Smart Moves Regional Transit Plan Greater Downtown Area Plan Best Practices review
Public/Stakeholder Engagement Nextrail Planning Process Nextrail KC engaged an estimated 20,000 stakeholders including person-to-person and social media 229 community meetings with 219 neighborhoods, businesses, and other organizations 8,315 online participants. My Sidewalk Presentations/Meetings (ongoing) KC Streetcar Authority KCATA Parking and Transportation Commission KC Regional Transit Alliance KC Transit Action network GDAP Implementation Committee MainCor Downtown Council
TOD Framework Connectivity: Expand transit access, increase mobility options Integrated system of pedestrian, bicycle, and auto facilities Density: Compact development Concentrate jobs, housing, shopping, and services close to transit Diversity: Locate a mix of transit-serving uses, services, activities, and destinations conveniently near transit and limiting uses that only serve automobiles. Accommodating a range of ages, incomes, and lifestyle preferences, Connect transit to those who need it, and provide opportunities for those who use it. Design: Enhances the desirability of transit Provide a comfortable and inviting environment
TOD Goals Environmental Goals Resource Conservation Open Space Preservation Mitigate Climate Change Improve Air Quality Improve Water Quality Biodiversity Economic Goals Local Prosperity Creativity & Innovation Commercial Clustering/Business Niches Productivity Housing Diversity Fiscal Sustainability. Social and Cultural Goals Accessibility & Mobility Diversity & Integration Neighborhood Identity Affordable Housing Safety & Security Public Health
Typologies
Recommendations Connectivity: Expand transit access, increase mobility options Integrated system of pedestrian, bicycle, and auto facilities Density: Compact development Concentrate jobs, housing, shopping, and services close to transit Diversity: Locate a mix of transit-serving uses, services, activities, and destinations conveniently near transit and limiting uses that only serve automobiles. Accommodating a range of ages, incomes, and lifestyle preferences, Connect transit to those who need it, and provide opportunities for those who use it. Design: Enhances the desirability of transit Provide a comfortable and inviting environment
Connectivity Transit Facility Location maximize access Transit Integration Layer & integrate transit modes Transit User Experience make user experience convenient and intuitive Accessibility Improve accessibility and support universal design Street Network high density of intersections, direct and convenient paths for pedestrians Managing Off-Street Connections Integrate multi-use trails Improving Off-Street Connections Trails & bikeways. Multi-Modal Streets accommodate all modes. Street Maintenance repair, and upgrades to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Wayfinding Improve usability of the transit system, & navigation to final destinations. Pedestrian Assessments in transit corridors. Pedestrian Zones designate transit corridors as pedestrians zones
Density Incentivizing Transit-Oriented Development incentive policy to focus on TOD locations Prioritizing Urban Infrastructure in TOD Areas & existing urban areas Zoning for Density accommodate dense, mixed- use development appropriate to each TOD location. Minimum Density in TOD Areas new TOD overlay, appropriate to each TOD location Boundaries and Transitions Establish appropriate transitions in a new TOD overlay protect adjacent neighborhoods. Planning for TOD Identify TOD locations in area planning processes
Diversity Zoning for a Mix of Uses allow multiple uses in a district. Incentivizing Mixed-Use Development incentive policy to focus on TOD locations Requiring Active Ground Floor Uses generate more pedestrian activity Limiting Incompatible Uses Prohibit uses that are not transit supportive Crafting a Housing Plan Establish a housing policy and affordability goals in TOD areas Promoting Housing Variety to accommodate diverse population Incentivizing Affordable Housing using available incentives in areas where affordable housing is needed. Requiring Affordable Housing in Designated Areas where affordable housing lacking Recognizing Historic Resources incent preservation and reuse Limiting Demolition Permits prevent irreversible or gratuitous demolitions. Recreational and Cultural Amenities Incorporate parks, public art, and other cultural facilities
Design Public Spaces Integrate Public Space: Destinations Private Development Variety of Experiences Public Space Surroundings Accessibility Comfort and Safety Amenities Dynamic and Flexible Transportation Amenities Alleys as Public Spaces
Design Development Relationship to Surrounding Development Update existing development standards for screening, buffering, and transitions Authenticity and Neighborhood Character Promote the use of high quality materials, attention to architectural details and design excellence. Universal Design Support universal design standards in building regulations Building Massing and Orientation Develop standards that address frontage to streets and public spaces, a pedestrian scale, solar orientation, topography, response to existing character and built environment Accommodation of Multi-Modal Facilities Incorporate pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities into the design of new projects, and encourage the retrofit of existing development
Design Transit Facilities Integration with Sidewalk and Public Space enhance the experience for transit users, ensure efficient movement in the corridor, and create quality places. Coordination with Surrounding Uses provide transit users convenient access to a variety of opportunities and services. Transit Facility Placement and Design Facilities function as icons or landmarks, provide wayfinding elements, or unifying features Universal Design Standards Design transit facilities to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone
Design Parking Parking Lot Location Parking not located between the street and the building frontage Integration of Parking Structures Not significantly visible at street level. Encourage underground parking or wrapped structures. Include active ground floor uses. On-Street Parking Standards Incorporate on-street parking strategies into City street standards. On-Street Parking Locations Increase the capacity for active, productive uses in TOD areas Shared Parking Reduce overall parking demand, efficiently use existing supply, facilitate public access to underutilized lots, and promote a park once environment. District Parking & Demand Management Craft a parking strategy to more effectively share and manage available parking& increase availability Remove Parking Subsidies Removes public subsidy of parking in TOD areas. Separate Parking and Development Costs Update the City parking standards to eliminate minimum parking requirements Parking Limits Establish a parking maximum for new development Park and Ride Identify appropriate locations with consideration of the surrounding urban environment
Implementation Policy Transit; Complete Streets; Trails; Economic Development; Housing; Parking Long Range Planning Area Plans Station Area Plans Station Area Planning Development Code TOD Zoning Design Guidelines Street Standards Capital Improvements Incentives TOD Specific Incentive Tool
Station Area Planning Many of the recommendations in this policy find their implementation in station area planning. Apply broad policy recommendations to each station area. Four ways station area planning supports TOD: planning new development design of streets and public spaces design and location of transit facilities, and location-specific strategies for parking.
Development Code / TOD Overlay TOD Overlay Framework Application driven by Station Area Planning Key Elements: Minimum Density in TOD Areas Boundaries and Transitions TOD Locations Active Ground Floor Uses: Incompatible Uses: Prohibit uses that are not transit supportive Affordable Housing Requirement in Designated Areas: Limiting Building Demolition Permits Public Space Amenities Street / Building Interface Manage Curb Cuts Building Massing and Orientation Accommodation of Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Facilities Parking Lot Location Integration of Parking Structures
Feedback Apply new zoning Emphasize bus transit Clarify trigger for application of TOD policies Coordination with other entities (County, etc..)
Approaches/Questions Is this a citywide or corridor based approach? Responding to existing ridership or encourage future riders?
Draft Document City Planning Web Page: http://kcmo.gov/planning/todpolicy/ Project info and links to document Open Data https://data.kcmo.org/
Questions Gerald Williams, AICP Lead Planner, Long Range Planning & Preservation Gerald.Williams@kcmo.org Jeffrey Williams, AICP Planning Director Jeffrey.Williams@kcmo.org