Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/04/2014

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Last revised July 24, 2014 making can happen through private building and public infrastructure if there is a shared understanding of the uniqueness of the location. The Council's investments in infrastructure and housing can help this process. Mixed -use developments aim to comingle a range of uses, usually including residential and commercial uses in close proximity. A diversity of uses whether in a single development or small area such as a transit station area enhances walkability and healthy living opportunities, reduces automobile reliance, and creates a greater sense of community. While mixed -use development is popular among local elected officials and planners, the mix of uses presents a challenge to traditional development finance streams. A key type of place -making in the 21 st century is transit -oriented development (TOD). TOD is walkable, moderate- to high -density development served by frequent transit that can include a mix of housing, retail, and employment choices designed to allow people to live and work with less or no dependence on a personal car. Promoting these vibrant, mixed -income places creates development patterns that support high transit demand and expand travel choices for households, allowing more people the option to live without a car or with fewer cars per household. Council role • Participate in regional efforts to reduce the institutional barriers to mixed -use development. • Support and lead local and regional efforts to foster transit -oriented development through the Council's Office of Transit -Oriented Development, which will lead Council efforts to: o Prioritize transit -oriented development in the planning, engineering, and operation of transit and in the development of Council -owned land and facilities o Pursue private sector and local government partnerships to accelerate development and land acquisition for transit -oriented development o Develop and share technical resources and education materials to improve capacity in the region for transit -oriented development o Provide clear policy guidance to local partners concerning the types of plans and local controls that will be needed to effectively implement transit -oriented development o Collaborate with partners, including local governments and private sector stakeholders, in transit -oriented development activities including policy development, specific Council - led development projects, site -specific transit -oriented development resources and opportunities, and station area planning to enable transit -oriented development • Provide Livable Communities Act grants to local government to support transit -oriented development projects. • Explore the expanded use of local planning assistance grants, loans and technical assistance for local station area planning efforts in support of transit -oriented development. • Encourage transit -friendly development patterns, including increased density and concentration of uses, to expand walkability and healthy living opportunities and lay the groundwork for future transit -readiness. Local role • Plan for development patterns and site plans that encourage walkability, especially between housing, jobs, and services, and transit -oriented development. 2040 HOUSING POLICY PLAN I METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DRAFT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Part II: Outcomes (Sustainability) I Page 37