Description
Promoting mixed use development that interfaces with high-frequency transit routes and integrates active transportation infrastructure increases the likelihood of transit use and reducing VMT.
Implementation Details
- Require TOD-specific community plans or zoning overlays near SunLine’s trunk routes, the BRT corridor under study, and CV Link connectors.
- Encourage mixed-use development on publicly owned land or infill sites within walking distance of transportation centers and mobility hubs.
- Include TOD performance metrics in capital project evaluations and CEQA streamlining checklists (e.g., minimum floor area ratios, parking max thresholds, pedestrian shed).
- Adopt parking reform strategies that remove minimums and allow unbundled pricing within TOD zones to reduce auto dependence.
- Update Active Transportation Plans with an emphasis on first and last mile transit access particularly within ½ mile of high frequency transit corridors.
Mitigation Potential
Transit-oriented development can significantly reduce VMT by concentrating housing, jobs, and services near high-quality transit. This measure improves the convenience, accessibility, and reliability of transit making it easier for people to shift from private vehicles to transit, walking, or biking.
For more details, see CALTRANS SB743 Program Mitigation Playbook, Transit service improvement, pg. 25-27 and CAPCOA, T-3. Provide Transit-Oriented Development, pg. 76-79 for VMT reduction quantification.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Prioritize TOD projects in disadvantaged areas by integrating affordable housing, public amenities, and accessible transit services. Ensure meaningful community engagement during planning phases to prevent displacement and support culturally relevant design. Pair TOD initiatives with tenant protections, inclusionary zoning, and community land trusts to promote long-term affordability.
Funding Sources
While it costs the municipality staff time to review projects with greater density and to update zoning codes grant resources from the state, such as the Regional Early Action Planning grants have funded zoning updates to allow for greater density and infill housing. Other funding sources include the Pilot Program for TOD Planning (Federal Transit Administration), the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program (California Department of Housing and Community Development), the Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grants and the Low or No Emissions Bus Grants (Federal Transit Administration), the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program – Sustainable Communities – Competitive and Technical (Caltrans), the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (California Department of Housing and Community Development), the Multifamily Finance Super NOFA (California Department of Housing and Community Development) the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (Caltrans), and the Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Programs (Southern California Association of Governments).
Examples/Case Studies
LA Metro TOD Planning Grant Program
Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities Technical Assistance Program (TOC TAP) is a competitive funding program that supports LA County jurisdictions in completing transit oriented community feasibility studies and plans.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy – Plan Bay Area 2050
Policy encourages increasing residential and commercial densities within a half-mile of transit stops. Examples of how include adjusting parking ratios and improving multi-modal access and setting minimums for new residential and commercial office densities.