Best Practice Action 14.3
GreenStep City Best Practices: Transportation
Demand-Side Travel Planning No. 14
Implement Travel Demand Management and Transit-Oriented Design in service of a more walkable city.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 3
For cities with regular transit service, require or provide incentives for the siting of higher density housing at transit/density nodes.
- Regular transit (as opposed to dial-a-ride service) includes fixed route service and deviated fixed-route service (where buses may stray roughly 1 mile from a fixed route): established times and stops available at least 9 hours/day, 5 days/week.
- See also implementation tools for action 14.2
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Aim for 7 to 8 dwelling units per acre (DUA), the minimum (population) required to economically support a bus line running at least once an hour through such a neighborhood; ensure transit amenities adjacent to retail (indoor waiting areas, real-time schedule displays, etc.) |
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Aim for 15 DUA, the minimum required to economically support a bus line providing service every 10 minutes through such a neighborhood. |
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Establish a transit overlay district; aim for 9 and 30 DUA, the minimum required to economically support, respectively, light rail and rail service running through such a neighborhood. |
Who's doing it
Eden Prairie -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2003
Implementation details:
The City helped to facilitate shared parking at Southwest Station which is a Transit Oriented Development. This project was approved in 2002.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The City supported Southwest Metro Transit to develop a transit hub on its property at the southwest corner of Highway 5 and Prairie Center Drive in Eden Prairie.
Through the PUD process the City granted density bonuses and incentives to allow for the higher intensity uses that are supportive of a transit hub.
The site provides a compact and pedestrian friendly mixed-use development that offers retail and restaurant services that are utilized by both transit customers and destination shoppers.
Shared parking occurs between the transit parking lot that is prominantly used during daytime business hours and the adjacent property that has land uses (such as entertainment and dining) that could utilize these parking facilities during evening and weekend hours when transit is not running its peak service.
Two ponds were built for water quality and flood storage for the western portion of the property. Both ponds are privately owned and maintained. The ponds were constructed with a 10:1 bench at the normal water level for vegetation growth and for safety concerns.
The project with waivers results in a design with additional interior green space, including perennial gardens, to help soften the visual appearance of parking lots and provide internal pedestrian connections.
Through the PUD process the City granted density bonuses and incentives to allow for the higher intensity uses that are supportive of a transit hub.
The site provides a compact and pedestrian friendly mixed-use development that offers retail and restaurant services that are utilized by both transit customers and destination shoppers.
Shared parking occurs between the transit parking lot that is prominantly used during daytime business hours and the adjacent property that has land uses (such as entertainment and dining) that could utilize these parking facilities during evening and weekend hours when transit is not running its peak service.
Two ponds were built for water quality and flood storage for the western portion of the property. Both ponds are privately owned and maintained. The ponds were constructed with a 10:1 bench at the normal water level for vegetation growth and for safety concerns.
The project with waivers results in a design with additional interior green space, including perennial gardens, to help soften the visual appearance of parking lots and provide internal pedestrian connections.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jennifer Fierce (City Staff) | jfierce@edenprairie.org | 952-949-8313
Partners:
Fridley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2011
Implementation details:
The City of Fridley adopted a Transit Overlay District in 2011 to promote higher density, pedestrian-oriented development within 1/2 mile ofthe NorthStar train station. The overlay district is based on the underlying zoning which is comprised of commercial, single family residential, multi-family residential and parkland, but additionally allows for mixed use development. The design standards include setback maximums (and allows zero lot line developments), parking reductions from the underlying zoning, and requires sidewalks.
A master plan for this area was approved by the Fridley City Council in 2014, which incorporates regional stormwater treatment, increased parkland, and design elements to emphasize the areas location near the Mississippi River.
A master plan for this area was approved by the Fridley City Council in 2014, which incorporates regional stormwater treatment, increased parkland, and design elements to emphasize the areas location near the Mississippi River.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links: http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/497
For more information contact:
Rachel Workin (City staff) | rachel.workin@fridleymn.gov | 763-572-3594
Partners:
Brooklyn Center -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Provided TIF for commercial redevelopment with 2 apartment buildings with 261 units on 4.8 acre site (54 units/acre) immediately adjacent to Metro Transit’s BCTC.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Andrew Hogg (City staff) | ahogg@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us | 763-569-3327
Partners:
Hopkins -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Currently, the City provides incentives in the form of tax increment financing and other State and County grants for the siting of higher density housing. Higher density housing will also develop around the LRT station, which will provide residents easy access to transit.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.hopkinsmn.com/development/plan/pdf/08-transportation.pdf
For more information contact:
Kersten Elverum (City staff) | kelverum@hopkinsmn.com | 952-548-6340
Partners:
Rochester -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
62.652
Medium Density Residential Development: The criteria listed in this paragraph will be considered in granting bonus density in the R-3 zoning districts:
1. Making provisions in the development for integration of double wide or other types of manufactured housing with site built dwellings.
2. Energy Conservation: Site design and building orientation laid out in such a manner so as to reduce or provide for the potential reduction in energy consumption. Features to be considered are:
1. The placement of higher densities on south facing slopes;
2. Taller buildings sighted towards the north portion of the site, but with sufficient setback so as not to shade properties to the north.
3. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.657.
4. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.658.
62.653
High Density Residential Development: The criteria listed in this will be considered in granting bonus density in the R-4 and CDC-Residential zoning districts:
1. A minimum of one parking space per unit is enclosed within a structure on the site or is located within 100 feet of the site and linked to the building by means of an enclosed walkway or other enclosed passage.
2. Architectural features designed to enhance the livability and amenity of the dwelling units, either individually or collectively, are included in the building design. Features to be considered are:
1. The use of increased setbacks, above the minimum ordinance requirement, along at least sixty (60%) percent of the walls;
2. The provision of observation decks or rooftop terraces;
3. The provision of balconies or other private outdoor spaces for the use of individual residences; or
4. The design of common open space on the lot in such a manner that direct sunlight reaches the space during the majority of the daylight hours.
3. Inclusion in the project of pedestrian oriented amenities such as designated off-street loading zones, heated or covered sidewalks, and multiple building entrances.
4. Provision of streetscape improvements by the developer, including boulevard landscaping, street lighting, or sitting areas where appropriate.
5. Security conscious design incorporating features such as elevators that are visible from adjacent public spaces, outdoor spaces that are visible from the lobby or the dwelling units, and the lighting of parking areas.
6. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.657.
7. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.658.
Medium Density Residential Development: The criteria listed in this paragraph will be considered in granting bonus density in the R-3 zoning districts:
1. Making provisions in the development for integration of double wide or other types of manufactured housing with site built dwellings.
2. Energy Conservation: Site design and building orientation laid out in such a manner so as to reduce or provide for the potential reduction in energy consumption. Features to be considered are:
1. The placement of higher densities on south facing slopes;
2. Taller buildings sighted towards the north portion of the site, but with sufficient setback so as not to shade properties to the north.
3. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.657.
4. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.658.
62.653
High Density Residential Development: The criteria listed in this will be considered in granting bonus density in the R-4 and CDC-Residential zoning districts:
1. A minimum of one parking space per unit is enclosed within a structure on the site or is located within 100 feet of the site and linked to the building by means of an enclosed walkway or other enclosed passage.
2. Architectural features designed to enhance the livability and amenity of the dwelling units, either individually or collectively, are included in the building design. Features to be considered are:
1. The use of increased setbacks, above the minimum ordinance requirement, along at least sixty (60%) percent of the walls;
2. The provision of observation decks or rooftop terraces;
3. The provision of balconies or other private outdoor spaces for the use of individual residences; or
4. The design of common open space on the lot in such a manner that direct sunlight reaches the space during the majority of the daylight hours.
3. Inclusion in the project of pedestrian oriented amenities such as designated off-street loading zones, heated or covered sidewalks, and multiple building entrances.
4. Provision of streetscape improvements by the developer, including boulevard landscaping, street lighting, or sitting areas where appropriate.
5. Security conscious design incorporating features such as elevators that are visible from adjacent public spaces, outdoor spaces that are visible from the lobby or the dwelling units, and the lighting of parking areas.
6. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.657.
7. The criteria listed in Paragraph 62.658.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jeff Ellerbusch (City staff) | ellerbusch.jeff@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US | 507-328-7132
Partners:
Greenstep Advisor
Kristin Mroz, GreenStep Cities coordinator : 651-757-2793, kristin.mroz-risse@state.mn.us