Vision for MARC development (left); Expanding mobility access • Pittsburgh TOD to support homeless; Sacramento’s bold Missing Middle code; Mexico City market roofs to power buses (right top-bottom)
Article of the Week
Walk and Ride? State Lays Out Vision for More Development Near MARC’s Penn Line Station
Daniel Zawodny, Baltimore Banner, October 10 2024
On Thursday, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) released a new transportation plan encouraging Transit-Oriented Development next to six of their MARC stations between Baltimore’s Penn Station and Washington D.C.’s Union Station. The plan proposes the construction of approximately 2,600 housing units to address the state’s housing shortage and enhance walkability around MARC stations. A new Maryland state law passed earlier this year allows for greater housing density within a half mile of train stations, providing the impetus for this plan. MDOT’s new approach marks a dramatic shift of past policies that prioritized parking lots near MARC stations.
NJ TOD News
HOBOKEN—New Redevelopment Zone Approved Near Hoboken Transit Hub in 5-4 Council Vote
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View, October 10 2024
In a narrow 5-4 vote, the Hoboken City Council approved a resolution to create a redevelopment zone by the PATH station/bus terminal at Hudson Place and River Street. Council proponents of the decision argued that the redevelopment zone would allow for the construction of more housing units and address the ongoing affordability issue in Hoboken. However, council opponents worry that this resolution could grant the mayor excessive control over the planning process.
PATERSON—NJ OKs Long-Delayed $50 Million Parking Garage at Paterson Train Station
Joe Malinconico, , Paterson Press | NorthJersey.com, October 10 2024
The New Jersey Local Finance Board voted unanimously to approve the construction of a $50 million parking garage across from the Paterson train station. A 160-unit apartment mixed-use transit hub project was initially planned to be built in tandem with the garage, however, there have been no updates whether this project will proceed. Parking officials still need to finalize the financing for the garage. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.
JERSEY CITY—The Devan, a Minno + Wasko-Designed Rental, Hits Leasing Milestone in Jersey City, NJ
86rkelly, Archinect Firms, October 9 2024
A recent report on The Devan, a newly constructed apartment complex in Jersey City, announced that more than half of its 336 rental units have been leased just months after its introduction to the market. Designed by Minno + Wasko, The Devan provides easy access to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, NJ TRANSIT, and the PATH, adding additional TOD units to the Hudson River “Gold Coast” market.
MILLBURN—One of NJ’s Richest Towns Is Once Again Denied Its Request to Delay Building Affordable Housing
Mike Hayes, Gothamist, October 9 2024
New Jersey’s state courts denied Millburn Township’s attempt to delay a 75-unit 100 percent affordable housing project, rejecting claims that the township lacked time to relocate the public works facility that will be replaced by the project. The court ruled that Millburn failed to prove it would suffer hardship by proceeding. Developer RPM has since filed for a restraining order to bar the township from using the site for any purpose other than the relocation of the public works operations. The hearing is set for October 31st.
Senator Diegnan Bill Increasing Access to Transportation Services for Individuals with Mobility Needs Becomes Law
Greg Tufaro, TAPinto East Brunswick, October 7 2024
This week, Governor Phil Murphy signed a law that will permit rideshare companies to provide paratransit services through a two-year Access Link pilot program. Eligible taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies throughout the state can participate in the pilot to assist NJ TRANSIT with improving transportation services for people with disabilities. Past trials of the pilot in select regions of New Jersey found that it helped improve on-time performance, reduced wait times for customers, and was more cost-effective for the state-wide transit agency.
Transit and Equity News
GEORGIA—Transit-Connected, Affordable Housing Venture Officially Opens
Josh Green, Urbanize Atlanta, October 8 2024
Atlanta’s affordable, transit-connected housing efforts advanced with the $17.4 million Hamilton Hills, a 52-unit development near MARTA’s Hamilton E. Holmes Station. Developed by Gorman and Company, the project offers housing for households earning 50-60 percent of the area median income and includes amenities like a community garden and playground. Future plans feature a 22-acre mixed-use redevelopment nearby and Gorman’s 109-unit Sweet Auburn Grande project downtown near the Atlanta Streetcar line.
PENNSYLVANIA—New Apartment Complex in Uptown to Aid Homeless
Julia Burdelski, TribLive, October 2 2024
Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Bethlehem Haven broke ground last week on a $23 million project that will provide 34 affordable housing units to the homeless. The project aims to offer stability for residents with convenient access to Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit lines and bike parking. Expected to be completed by 2026, it will serve individuals or families earning less than 30 percent of the area median income.
![Cover of the Sonoma County [CA] Master Plan for Aging](https://www.njtod.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SonomaMPA.png)
CALIFORNIA—Sonoma County Unveils Master Plan Aimed at Guiding Local Response to Dramatic Rise in Senior Population
Martin Espinoza, The Press Democrat, October 1 2024
Sonoma County officials unveiled a “master plan for aging” that aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsome’s statewide initiative to address local and state demographic shifts. By 2030, individuals 60 or older will comprise 35 percent of the county’s population, and a quarter of the state’s. The plan provides strategies to meet seniors’ needs by developing affordable housing near transit, preventing senior homelessness, and expanding mental health services.
OREGON—City of Wilsonville Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Project
Krista Kroiss, Lake Oswego Review, September 3 2024
The City of Wilsonville broke ground on the construction of a mixed-use affordable housing development at the Wilsonville Transit Center. The building will provide 121 affordable housing units between 30 percent and 80 percent of area median income, and the ground floor will include space for a social service organization, a coffee shop, and a welcome center for South Metro Area Regional Transit. Wilsonville plans to use this project to help address its affordable housing crisis while providing low-income residents with broad access to transit and supportive services. The building is expected to complete construction by late 2025 or early 2026.
Regional and National TOD News
ILLINOIS—Luc Says ‘Yes’ to Custer Development
Matthew Eadie, Evanston Now, October 10 2024
Evanston’s Land Use Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a planned five-story, 230-unit apartment project targeting middle-income households earning between 60 and 130 percent of area median income. Located within walking distance of the Main Street CTA and Metra stations, the development will include just 48 parking spaces, with the goal of encouraging public transit use among residents.
CALIFORNIA—Sacramento Adopts Progressive Missing Middle Code
Robert Steuteville, Public Square CNU, October 9 2024
Sacramento has adopted a new Missing Middle Housing ordinance aimed at increasing housing diversity across the city. The ordinance regulates density using a sliding Floor Area Ratio (FAR) scale derived from local context and proximity to transit and services. Portland, Oregon, previously implemented a similar approach, with early results indicating that it encourages more attainable and affordable housing types such as triplexes and fourplexes. With this ordinance, Sacramento becomes the first city in California to allow multiunit housing in all single-family neighborhoods.
IDAHO—In Midst of Department Leadership Change, Zoning Code Remains Top Priority for Boise
Royce McCandless, Idaho Press, October 7 2024
Boise’s “Modern Zoning Code,” adopted late last year, focuses on boosting density and curbing suburban sprawl while preserving the city’s natural environment. The Boise Planning and Development Services Department aims to implement the code by prioritizing housing along key transit corridors like State Street and Vista Avenue, reducing car dependency and enhancing public transit. Concentrating development near transit hubs is expected to increase demand for Valley Regional Transit, potentially leading to improved bus frequency and expanded routes, making public transportation a more practical option as Boise continues to grow.
MASSACHUSETTS—Pioneer Institute Study Finds Wide Range of Approaches to Compliance with MBTA Communities Law
Amie O’Hearn, Business Wire, October 7 2024
A new Pioneer Institute study finds that municipalities are employing a variety of approaches to comply with the 2021 MBTA Communities Act, in contrast to the ongoing challenge to law from the town of Milton. Lexington, for example, utilized a meaningful community engagement program to reach diverse stakeholders throughout the compliance process and has proposed the construction of over 600 new housing units. The Pioneer Institute highlights Lexington as the model for other municipalities facing the act’s deadlines and recommends that they incorporate existing efforts related to transit-oriented development or affordable housing when developing their compliance plans.
International TOD News
MEXICO—Roofs of Mexico City’s Massive Food Market Will Power Public Buses
Valentine Hilaire, Bloomberg, October 3 2024
In 2022, Claudia Sheinbaum, then mayor of Mexico City, announced the installation of over 30,000 solar panels on the roofs of Central de Abasto, one of the world’s largest food markets. Now serving as president of Mexico, Sheinbaum plans to use the energy generated by these solar panels to power more than 300 buses throughout the city. Estimates suggest this initiative will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 13,000 tons and save the transport unit at least 18 million pesos (more than $920,000) annually.
PHILIPPINES—Urban March: 70 Percent of People to Live in Cities by 2050
Staff Writer, Inquirer, October 3 2024
With 70 percent of people expected to live in cities by 2050, global urbanization is driving countries to adopt the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create safe, affordable, and sustainable urban areas. In the Philippines, which has ranked low in international sustainability and urban mobility indices, recent efforts include the House of Representatives’ approval of the “Sustainable Cities and Communities Act,” providing funding for housing, infrastructure, and public transportation improvements. Additionally, the Department of Transportation plans to expand bike lanes in major cities by 2028.