The Regional Plan Association, which operates in the 31-county New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan region, recently reported that only about half of towns along the Metro-North corridor in Connecticut have adopted plans that foster economic development around rail station areas. RPA also reported that many towns that seek to take advantage of rail service are being thwarted in their goals by outmoded parking and land-use guidelines.
The RPA study found that at 54% of Connecticut’s Metro-North stations, community visions exist for station-area development that capitalizes on transit assets to drive investment and attract residents and businesses. Some towns have put those plans into action, promoting neighborhood revitalization through walkable, mixed-use communities and helping to connect residents and employers through transit.
However, 46% of Connecticut’s Metro-North communities don’t have a plan in place, limiting their ability to take advantage of the region’s robust transit network. Even among the communities that have undertaken steps to support transit-oriented development, RPA reports that outmoded policies, especially those involving parking requirements, undermine their efforts. Too often, regulations force developers to build more parking than needed, adding costs that make projects financially unfeasible or creating surface parking lots that go unused. Only 20% of Metro-North station neighborhoods had parking requirements that reflect neighborhood walkability and transit access.
RPA also reports that, only half of station areas allow densities that encourage a mix of homes, shops, and services within walking distance of transit. Other stations are surrounded by large-lot, single-family houses, discouraging transit use, contributing to longer commutes and traffic congestion and reducing open space.
Media report:
Connecticut Post: Bridgeport, Fairfield shine in transit study (19 JUL 13)
To access the complete report, please visit:
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