University:
Boston University
Course:
CAS PO 502 | Political Analysis
Academic year:

2023
Views:

128

Pages:

15
Author:

Melina Hobbs

Takeaways - Seattle 01 02 03 Promote Biking ● Promote a more sustainable biking environment by emphasizing more bicycle infrastructure. Redefine “Frequent Transit” ● Where there are areas of more “Frequent Transit” there is less of a need to require and provide parking. Flexible-Use Parking ● In areas where there is underused private parking lots, transfer and use these lots as public parking. 15 Minneapolis/ Saint Paul, Minnesota Affordable Housing 16 Minneapolis/St. Paul What? Eliminate parking to create more affordability in the TOD Corridor. Why? The development of the Light Rail in the TOD corridor has created increasing pressure on the housing market. Eliminating minimum parking will help alleviate this affordability issue. How? Reduced the number of spaces for all Transit Oriented Development from 1.0 space/unit to 0.7 spaces/unit. 17 Minneapolis Transportation Trends - Drove Alone 2000 2016 18 Saint Paul Transportation Trends- Drove Alone 2000 2016 19 Takeaways - Minneapolis/St. Paul ● Eliminating Minimum parking requirements increase more available affordable housing. Increase more affordable development within Somerville. 01 Parking Correlates to Affordability ● 02 The development of Light Rail increases pressure on the housing market. As expected in Somerville, the light rail increased pressure on the housing stock in the Twin Cities that would help be alleviated by eliminating minimum parking requirements. ● 03 Adapt to the wants and needs of Somerville Residents As more and more people move to Somerville after the inception of the Green Line Extension their will be a much less reliance on parking and the automobile. ● 20 Phoenix, Arizona Transit Oriented Development Phoenix What? Increase Transit Oriented Development Why? Promote a more sustainable and efficient form of transportation How? Use Station Area Planning to invest in stations and use this investments to leverage Transit Oriented Development 22 Phoenix Transportation Trends - Drove Alone 2000 2016 23 Takeaways - Phoenix 01 02 03 Reduce Parking in Transit Areas Reduce Construction Costs in TOD Overlays Getting the most out of Transit Oriented Development ● ● Households living near stations own fewer cars More workers take transit to jobs located near transit stations. ● Before Parking Requirements, multifamily residences require 2 spaces per household Reducing Parking Requirements will decrease construction costs by ~$200,000. ● ● ● Reduce Parking Requirements will allow for greater investment in Station Area which will help leverage Transit Oriented Development Reduce Development Costs while increasing leverage for Light Rail investment and Station Beautification. 24 Analysis *Bringing the relevant strategies back to Somerville from each unique city allows for preparedness in stakeholder engagement. Somerville Phoenix Transit Oriented Development Minneapolis/ Saint Paul Affordable Housing Seattle Sustainable Living 25 Stakeholder Engagement 26 Content Analysis; Literature Review, Somerville Perception vs. Reality Map the Parking Supply Document Unused Supply Self Case Study 27 Recommendations for Reducing Parking in Somerville Near Term Midterm Ongoing Future Eliminate parking minimums within walksheds of 0.25 miles of Green Line Extension stops Provide developer’s tax breaks to increase housing stock Collect annual data on car ownership in Somerville to accurately determine parking needs and requirement revisions Promote any future commercial development through walkability and pedestrian infrastructure Achieving Optimal Parking Requirements: Sustainability Design and Urban Form Transportation Economy 28 Conclusion and Next Steps The Green Line Extension provides an opportunity to eliminate parking requirements and promote sustainable transit oriented development. Cities that have undergone similar light rail additions in conjunction with reducing parking requirement have seen success. Begin to engage stakeholders and further research initiatives to further alternative commuting options. 29