Zoning for Transit Oriented Development by Zachary Coleman, Planner Transit Oriented Development, Or TOD, Involves TOD Within Orange County
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Zoning for Transit Oriented Development By Zachary Coleman, Planner Transit oriented development, or TOD, involves TOD within Orange County. The City of Newburgh more than just focusing development near transit introduced four form-based code zoning overlay stops. In order for a TOD to be successful, it should districts in 2015 to encourage dense, mixed- include the right mixture of housing options, offices, use development in areas prime for growth and retail spaces and other amenities in a density and scale revitalization. The Broadway Corridor, Downtown that promotes walkability and is inclusive of all ages Neighborhood, Waterfront Gateway, and Planned and incomes. Based on the rigidity of current zoning Waterfront Districts each have unique standards codes around the existing transit stops in Orange to encourage the goals defined in the purpose and County, this may be a difficult task to accomplish. intent of the City Code. There are also overarching The traditional “Euclidian” zoning that exists supplementary standards that ensure future within the majority of the municipalities across the development is cohesive and representative of the County predominantly focuses on how the land is desired neighborhood character. The potential for used more so than the scale, form and function of TOD is there, as the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry docks the buildings as they relate to each other and to the along the Hudson River in the Planned Waterfront community’s assets or infrastructure. This single-use District and provides connecting service to Metro- zoning mechanism is often too restrictive to facilitate North at Beacon Station. Aside from encouraging the incremental development of varying building healthy communities and economic growth, allowing types and scales that is often indicative of successful increased mixed-use development within the District pedestrian-centric environments. It is also a major through form-based codes has created the potential contributing factor to sprawl because it restricts for increased bi-directional Ferry ridership demand singular land uses to particular areas rather than encouraged by new residents and businesses from promoting a mix of uses. future TOD. So how can municipalities promote TOD Another community in the County has taken without completely overhauling their current a slightly different approach to encourage TOD. The traditional zoning? One of the best answers is a Village of Woodbury adopted a code for the creation form-based code zoning district around transit stops. of a Transit Village Zoning District around the Harriman Form-based codes are development regulations (not Train Station on Metro North’s Port Jervis Line (PJL) just design guidelines) that focus on controlling the that includes the ½ mile walking principle discussed physical form of the built environment in a manner above. The code permits a multitude of commercial that produces a well-designed place indicative of a and residential uses while listing design requirements community’s area vision. It is a commonly accepted for roadways, residential uses, nonresidential uses and TOD principle that people are willing to walk about open spaces. It provides the regulatory framework ½ mile to access transit options. Based on this that would allow a vibrant TOD to be built in a prime principle, municipalities could positively influence location. the development of successful mixed-use, walkable With Metro-North currently in the planning communities around transit hubs by creating form stages of improvements to the PJL, including a based code districts within a ½ mile radius of existing Mid-Point yard near Campbell Hall Station and the transit stops. construction of passing sidings, service on the line There are signs of progress and hope for is anticipated to drastically increase from 27 daily weekday trains to 44 and 14 daily weekend trains visions a reality. to 26 . With improved service, ridership levels and Do you have ideas of where TOD could demand are anticipated to rise, along with demand be implemented in Orange County? Send us your for amenities surrounding the stations. It would thoughts at [email protected]. seem that now could be a prime time for other For more information on form-based codes municipalities to begin thinking about the current and how your community can implement them visit zoning regulations around existing stations on the the Form-Based Codes Institute’s website at PJL, what areas may be prime for TOD, and how www.formbasedcodes.org. form-based codes might be used to help make future Example of Form Based Code City of Newburgh Benef ts of TODs Besides reducing urban sprawl, what are some benefits of TOD? Take a look at what Reconnecting America lists below: • Reduced household driving and thus lowered regional congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions • Walkable communities that accommodate more healthy and active lifestyles • Increased transit ridership and fare revenue • Potential for added value created through increased and/or sustained property values where transit investments have occurred • Improved access to jobs and economic opportunity for low-income people and working families • Expanded mobility choices that reduce dependence on the automobile, reduce transportation costs and free up household income for other purposes. Above: Picture on the left is the City of Newburgh’s Form Based Code, adopted in 2015. Newburgh was the first community in Orange County to adopt an FBC into their zoning code. Above and to the right: a list of benefits of TODs provided by Reconnecting America (ReconnectingAmerica.org). Advancing Complete Streets in Rural Areas By Jessica Ridgeway, Planner The concept of equitable access to transportation of US residents lived in rural areas, yet 56 percent of for all users and modes is the pillar of Complete all traffic fatalities occurred in these areas. With wider, Streets. It can be applied to even the furthest reaches open roads common, higher driving speeds are likely: of our rural County thanks to the recent passing of a 68 percent of fatal crashes on rural roads occurred County-wide Complete Streets Policy in 2017. Building when the posted speed limit was 55 mph or higher. Complete Streets infrastructure not only provides safer On top of these rather glum statistics, studies have and more connected network of opportunities for shown our rural communities are home to some of the County residents and visitors to be physically active, most vulnerable populations: low income families and it improves air quality, reduces traffic congestion and elderly adults – two groups that are less likely to drive promotes equal opportunity. or own a vehicle. Orange County is not alone in the pursuit of a You might be thinking, “It would never make safe and accessible transportation network, according sense to install a sidewalk or bike lane along every to a National Complete Streets Coalition report, as of County or local road!” This is a perfectly acceptable the end of 2016, more than 1,000 jurisdictions in the statement, especially given the vast diversity of land United States have passed a Complete Streets policy. use in Orange County. This is where the flexibility of New York State passed the Complete Streets Act in a Complete Street program can be realized in rural August 2011, requiring state, county and local agencies contexts – there is no “cookie cutter” complete street, to consider the Complete Streets practices when but rather a recipe, specifically crafted based on a developing transportation projects that receive state number of different ingredients. Take, for example, a and federal funding. road lined with active farms in a small town, all this However, the great majority of case studies road may require to be “complete” is wide shoulders surrounding pedestrian safety, calming traffic to accommodate large equipment/trucks, public congestion, bicycle access, and other Complete Streets transportation users, pedestirans and bicyclists. While concepts are typically conducted in large cities or a road with a 30 mph speed limit, parallel parking, otherwise booming metropolises. What about the crosswalks, and accessible sidewalks may best meet nearly 49 million Americans and approximately 83 the needs of a residential street. thousand Orange County residents who live in small Both national and state funding resources towns with rural geographies? How can we implement have, in recent years, shown increasing commitment the tried-and-true practices here in Orange County? to advancing transportation projects in rural areas. Metro-centers may have the analysis to According to a recent press release from the U.S. support traffic calming, safety, and accessibility Department of Transportation (DOT), rural projects projects, but rural areas around the country have were the recipients of over 64% of this round of The demonstrated just as high of a need and want for Transportation Investment Generating Economic complete streets. Injury or death while using the Recovery (TIGER) funding, a DOT grant program that transportation system is higher for Residents of invests in road, rail, transit and port projects that small towns than those in urban areas. According to promise to achieve national objectives. To learn more data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety about the TIGER grant funding program, visit https:// Administration (NHTSA) in 2006, less than one-quarter www.transportation.gov/tiger/about. Have an idea for “completing” a county or local road in your area? Contact the Orange County Complete Streets Working Group at 845-615-3840. Orange County Department of Planning NYS General Municipal Law (GML) Section 239 Referral Report By Fred Budde, Senior Planner In the calendar year 2017, there were a total of 496 mandatory GML 239 referrals sent to County Planning by municipalities throughout OC. There were a total of 5,241 dwelling units, 4.3 million square feet of mixed nonresidential development and 968 hotel rooms proposed throughout OC. The map below shows the location of the referrals countywide. The year 2017 was similar to the year 2016 in that it was marked by numerous (12) solar farm submissions.