"Today's housing, financial, and energy crises all create an extraordinary opportunity and a vital imperative. We must build the next generation of homes and businesses within walking distances of train and bus stations, all equipped with solar energy, green design, and bicycle-friendly facilities that reduce carbon emissions and protect us from the impacts of climate change. <strong>The</strong> <strong>MTA</strong> and Governor Paterson, in partnership with the Obama Administration, must seize the moment to create jobs, revitalize the economy and ensure a sustainable future for all New Yorkers." – Ned Sullivan, president, Scenic Hudson Chair, Smart Growth/TOD Group 34
Smart Growth/TOD Land use planning, transit access, and transit-oriented development Smart growth and transit-oriented development (TOD) go to the heart of the <strong>MTA</strong>’s mission. <strong>The</strong>y also represent the <strong>MTA</strong>’s greatest contribution to regional sustainability. By expanding the reach and deepening the localization of its transit network, the <strong>MTA</strong> reduces the fossil-fuel consumption and the carbon footprint of the entire region. By enabling more clustered, transit-rich development, the <strong>MTA</strong> helps to mitigate the underlying causes of global warming while promoting more livable, sustainable communities. Emerging trends make this the right time for the <strong>MTA</strong> to redouble its TOD efforts. <strong>The</strong> <strong>MTA</strong>’s “Strategic Regional Review” projects a population increase in the service area of over 4 million by 2030. <strong>The</strong> Commission urges that the <strong>MTA</strong> work diligently with communities, developers, and government officials to direct this growth away from autodependent sprawl toward transit-centered development. <strong>The</strong> <strong>MTA</strong> should seek to capture two-thirds of this new growth. That is, the <strong>MTA</strong> transit network should strive to attract two-thirds of the additional vehicles miles traveled (VMTs) due to new growth between now and 2030; and the <strong>MTA</strong> should encourage public and private planners to cluster two-thirds of the new development within a quartermile to a half-mile of <strong>MTA</strong> transit access. Recessionary economic trends also argue for expanded TOD initiatives. <strong>The</strong> Commission recommends that the <strong>MTA</strong> strengthen all efforts to promote the environmental, economic, and lifestyle benefits of transit access to local communities, developers, legislators, and officials. Numerous studies, including those cited in this report, prove the positive correlation between TOD and property values. Local transit access widens employment opportunities, links commercial centers, reduces family fuel bills and helps create the livable, walkable communities that homebuyers increasingly seek. <strong>The</strong> Commission sees a prime opportunity for the <strong>MTA</strong> to take ownership of what many refer to as the “last mile” problem. <strong>The</strong> <strong>MTA</strong> should apply its resources and regional overview to eliminate the remaining home-to-destination gaps in the regional transit network through feeder/distributor corridors, which includes feeder service (home to station), distributor service (station to employment centers), lightrail, bus rapid transit, shuttle service, bike routes and bike facilities, and other transit modes. Left: <strong>Metro</strong>-North is leading the Be in Beacon project that is encouraging transit oriented development near Beacon Station through a partnership with the State of New York, Dutchess County, the City of Beacon, and other stakeholders Public policy trends also look favorable for expanded Smart Growth and TOD initiatives. From the Obama Administration to state and local governments, a renewed emphasis on economic stimulus, infrastructure, and sustainability all play to the <strong>MTA</strong>’s strengths. In pursuing TOD projects with public officials and local stakeholders, the <strong>MTA</strong> brings many powerful tools and incentives to the table. <strong>The</strong> <strong>MTA</strong> now has a portfolio of successful TOD projects, extending from New York City boroughs to Long Island suburbs and Hudson Valley communities. All involve successful, long-term collaborations with multiple stakeholders. Examples include recent partnerships in Yonkers, Tarrytown, Beacon, Hudson Yards, the Atlantic Avenue hub, and TODs and downtown revitalizations with several Long Island communities. Given these trends, the Commission sees excellent opportunities for the <strong>MTA</strong> to leverage the proven economic, environmental, and lifestyle values of transit-oriented development through federal, state, and local partnerships. GHGs Per Person Kg CO 2 Equivalents/year Average In-town House Outperforms Even the Greenest Sprawl House with Hybrid Cars Million BTU per year 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 250 200 150 100 50 0 0 114 125 Suburban Single Family 239 MBTU 8,637 Low Density High Density Transportation Buliding Operations Materials Suburban Single Family Green 158 MBTU Household Use 71 87 3,341 101 35 Urban Single Family 136 MBTU Transportation Use Source: Journal of Urban Planning and Development, Norman, March 2006 56 26 Urban Multi- Family Green 82 MBTU Source: Jonathan Rose Companies, LLC 35
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