The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has approved its Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Policy, with some changes from previous drafts (see June/July 2005 issue). Thresholds for transit expansion corridors now address only housing units, without consideration for jobs, and the minimum housing units per station have been increased to 3,850 for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), 3,300 for light rail, 2750 for bus rapid transit, 2200 for commuter rail and 750 for water transit. According to James Corless, MTC, "A housing threshold only is easier for local jurisdictions to do in their plans, and housing has the most impact on transit ridership." Although housing requirements were increased, affordable housing units will be given a bonus of 50%, so that two affordable units will count as three units toward meeting the thresholds. Other changes eliminate Corridor Working Groups in corridors which already meet the housing thresholds, and drop TOD requirements for the BART/Oakland Airport Connector because it is infeasible to provide housing at the airport.
BART approved a revised TOD policy in July. The policy was reviewed during 2004 by representatives from BART, the Center for Transit-Oriented Development, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Changes included focusing on a broader area than BART-owned property when planning for TOD at BART stations, increased flexibility in considering replacement parking strategies as part of a broader approach to improving access to BART, and targeting funding for amenities which contribute to the success of a TOD project, such as plazas and public art. Staffers from BART and MTC have said the two TOD policies should function well together.
BART also approved a draft Memorandum of Understanding for a major corridors affected by both TOD policies, the East Contra Costa County BART Extension (e-BART). BART, Contra Costa County, and four cities will participate in the corridor planning, together with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the East Contra Costa Transportation Authority, which will provide partial funding for the project. Once signed by all parties, the memorandum will allow environmental and ridership studies to move ahead, using scenarios which include conventional BART but also smaller diesel-powered trains using existing tracks, bus rapid transit or express buses.
For more information: MTC, James Corless, jcorless@mtc.ca.gov, 510-464-7733; BART TOD Policy, Peter Albert, palbert@bart.gov, 510-287-4702
RIDES for Bay Area Commuters has ceased operation after 28 years. The nonprofit agency was started in 1977 to set up vanpools during the energy crisis, and continued to encourage alternatives to single-driver commutes by adding carpool matching, trip planning and support for bicycling to work. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has selected another contractor to continue the program in conjuction with MTC's other transportation information services provided through 511 and 511.org.