Module 7 STATION AREA PLANNING

Module 7 Station Area Planning Introduction This 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 Transit Module 2: Changing Street Design to Support Liveable Development Module 3: Smart Parking Module 4: Creating Great Places Around Transit Module 5: Regulations and Financing Tools for TOD Module 6: Building Mixed Income Communities Around Transit Module 7: Station Area Planning

Module 7 Station Area Planning Key Concepts and Definitions Station Area Planning Process 1.Define the Station Area. 2.Identify the (appropriate) Place Type. 3.Create a vision with Development Objectives and Guidelines. 4.Develop and implement strategies to establish a Station Area Plan.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Key Concepts and Definitions What defines a Station Area? The Station Area generally refers to the half-mile radius around the station. San Leandro BART Station Half-mile radius

Module 7 Station Area Planning Key Concepts and Definitions What is a Place Type? It defines the land uses and activities around a station area. It helps guide planning for particular station areas. It explains the diversity of TOD opportunities. It documents what exists, and forms the base for planning for the future.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Key Concepts: Place Types Regional Center Urban Center Suburban Center Transit Town Center Urban Neighborhood Transit Neighborhood Special Use / EmploymentDistrict Mixed-Use Corridor Pearl Station -Denver, CO

Module 7 Station Area Planning How to Identify a TOD Place Type? What are the characteristics of the station area? What is the transit mode? What is the peak frequency of transit? What is daily average and peak transit ridership? What is the land use mix and density? What are the retail and employment characteristics? What are the major planning and development challenges?

Module 7 Station Area Planning Typology of Place Types

Module 7 Station Area Planning Development Guidelines for TOD Place Types Housing Mix – New development (Single family, mid-rise, townhouse etc.). Station Area Total Units–The number and density of units planned for the station area. Planned retail, commercial and institutional development in the station area. Station Area Total Jobs – Potential of new jobs in the station area. Minimum FAR – Floor-Area-Ratio – Determines the appropriate mix of building types.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Station Area Planning Typologies Residential Buildings Mixed-Use Buildings Commercial Civic and Open Space

Residential Building Types and Densities Townhomes in Mountain View, CA Single-family in Chicago, IL Low-rise apartments in Plano, TX Mixed-use in Washington, DC Mid-rise in Metuchen, NJ Mid-rise apartments in Tarrytown, NY

Mixed-Use Commercial and Retail Uses Shopping center, Arlington, VA Office mixed-use, Washington, DC Shops, Scarsdale, NY Ground floor restaurant, CA Main street retail, NJ Mixed-use in Morristown, NJ

Module 7 Station Area Planning Civic and Open Space

Module 7 Station Area Planning Challenges Not One Size Fits All Communities are different Intensity of uses Mix of Uses Existing residents and workers Sources of market demand Transit Stations are different Transit technology Access modes Location relative to community

Module 7 Station Area Planning 7 Strategies to Successful Station Area Planning 1. Generate meaningful community involvement. 2. Maximize ridership with TOD. 3. Design streets for all users. 4. Create opportunities for affordable and accessible living. 5. Make great public places. 6. Manage parking effectively. 7. Maximize neighborhood and station connectivity.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Strategy 1: Generate Meaningful Community Involvement Engage the public early in the decision-making process. Plan the station and community together. Identify needs and opportunities. Set the vision and implementation steps.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Strategy 2: Maximize Ridership With TOD Create a mix of residential and non- residential uses to meet market needs. Analyze the impact of zoning requirements on potential densities. Use transit to support community activities and vision..

Module 7 Station Area Planning Strategy 3: Design Streets For All Users Design street patterns to support walking and biking. Make station area fully accessible to all users. Design station and station areas for safety.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Strategy 4: Create Opportunities for Affordable and Accessible Living Capture the value of transit to create funding mechanisms. Target affordable housing resources to station areas. Link a range of incomes and household types with other amenities.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Strategy 5: Make Great Public Spaces Incorporate parks and open space. Involve the community in the programming. Make the station a focal place for the community. Reflect local character.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Strategy 6: Manage Parking Effectively Analyze parking supply and demand. Consider innovative parking policies. Incorporate parking of different modes. Locate parking with sensitivity to context. Implement parking pricing strategies that encourage transit use.

Module 7 Station Area Planning Strategy 7: Maximize Neighborhood and Station Connectivity Provide high-quality walking environment. Minimize the distance and time required to access the station. Incorporate way-finding elements. Provide real time transit information.

Case Studies To Put It All Together Community- Driven Process Station Area Plan Typologies Strategie s

Case Study: Rahway New Jersey Before After $7 million failed rehab $13 million renovation $1.5 million plaza constructed 4,500 Merck employees served 2002 Transit Village Designation Led by Mayor James Kennedys sustained support for downtown Transit-Oriented redevelopment

Case Study: Rahway New Jersey Construction activity within the half-mile radius exceeded $105 million from 1999 to 2003: 136 unit luxury River Place Development 159 apartments and townhouses plus retail space 3 major hotels Mixed use development with movie theaters and artistic live/work space

Before After Case Study: Gaslight Commons, South Orange, NJ $34. 5 million Project 200 Condo Units Near Sloan Street NJT Station 65 percent take transit to work 1.35 cars per unit 6 x Tax Revenue 0,02 School age children per unit

Module 7 Station Area Planning What Goes Into a Good Station Area Plan? Community Engagement and Vision Comprehensive Land Use Plan Innovative Design Community and Station Connectivity Public Investments in Roads, Parks, etc Implementation and Financing Plan

Module 7 QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?