T1.1b Coordinated long term planning for future infill [Develop transit corridors] *
Coordinate long-term plans with transit agencies to project where increased density would support more transit corridors. Then change zoning/density that would support new transit corridors and variety of household incomes. Promote long-term equity and healthy communities by developing incentives such as density bonuses for development where a percentage of the units will be permanently affordable for household incomes.
Intercity Transit’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan includes a list of policy issues developed by staff, the Intercity Transit Authority, and the Community Advisory Committee. It says the agency should “Take an active role in land use planning efforts to advocate development which supports transit and other active transportation choices.” (p. 13) Perhaps it isn’t actually being done consistently or well?
It has certainly already been an explicit priority in area transit plans for at least thirty years. It was the central argument of the “Transit Master Plan & Modal Report” that Nelson/Nygaard did for Olympia in 2009. (At that point, they said:
Transit-oriented development is already the rule in Olympia’s planning, as expressed in the High Density Corridor concept. Intercity Transit has identified “trunk line” corridors where its highest level of service investments, both current and planned, match City growth designations. Clearly the agencies are already working effectively to match land use and transit investment.
The report made a number of detailed additional policy suggestions which are listed at the end of the Executive Summary.
Bellingham’s Climate Action Plan includes reducing transportation impact fees for measures proven to reduce on-site trip generation, such as location on 15 minute bus routes.