In 2005, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) adopted a transit-oriented development (TOD) policy to encourage more housing close to major new transit expansions, such as new ferry terminals or new train stations. This year, MTC will pass a new Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy to tackle today’s housing and climate crises.
The 2005 TOD policy was groundbreaking for its time. While conditioning transportation funding on housing outcomes is now a longstanding practice at MTC, this policy was the first major example of this powerful strategy.
Since then, MTC has developed numerous other policies that incentivize and integrate housing and transportation, such as the Priority Development Area Planning Program, the Bay Area Preservation Pilot (BAPP) and the One Bay Area Grant Program (OBAG).
A new, 30-year regional plan
Much has changed in the Bay Area since the original TOD policy was passed and implemented. Our converging crises of housing unaffordability, climate change, racial inequities and regional quality of life have only deepened in scale and urgency.
Over the last three years, MTC has been working on the new 30-year regional plan for the Bay Area to tackle these challenges – Plan Bay Area 2050.
Plan Bay Area 2050 charts a path forward for more inclusive, equitable, affordable and sustainable communities. It sets ambitious targets for housing and job growth, with needed shifts to more sustainable forms of transportation.
This year, MTC will pass a new Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy to address today's challenges and begin to deliver on the goals set by Plan Bay Area 2050. Enterprise has been participating in MTC’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) over the past year and providing feedback to MTC on effective policy design that centers equitable development and the “3 P’s” approach to affordable housing: production, preservation and protections.
Check out our recent conversation about the TOC policy with our partner SPUR, MTC staff, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín, and East Palo Alto Councilmember Carlos Romero at a forum hosted by our partner SPUR.
Key policy recommendations
Here are some of the key principles and policy components that we at Enterprise, alongside our partners, are looking to see in the new TOC policy:
- Center Equity. Apply an equity lens to all facets of the policy by making sure the policy applies to all communities with existing or planned high-quality transit service, designing the policy to account for existing disparities in access to opportunity and housing. affordability, and engaging with residents and community-based organizations throughout policy implementation.
- Well-Designed Density Thresholds and Parking Standards. Set minimum allowable densities and maximum parking standards for development based on local transit service and neighborhood type that will deliver Plan Bay Area 2050’s commitments for equitable transit-accessible housing and jobs.
- Strong Affordable Housing Requirements. Prioritize affordable housing through policies such as data-driven inclusionary zoning for affordable housing, public lands policies, value capture, and affordable housing preservation.
- Anti-Displacement. Support stability and choice so that residents and businesses have the opportunity to benefit from new investments in their communities, including city- and county-level tenant protections, no-net loss of affordable housing, and 1-for-1 replacement requirements for demolition of affordable housing.
- Easy and Equitable Transit Access. Increase access to transit stations and the region’s transit network, especially for Equity Priority Communities, by supporting affordable, sustainable, and restorative connections to surrounding neighborhoods.
- Streets for Vibrant Communities. Set standards to ensure local streets prioritize safety and sustainable non-automobile transportation as well as serve as a welcoming and healthy space for the community to socialize, recreate, and get where they need to go.
The Association of Bay Area Governments Executive Board will discuss the policy on March 17, and MTC is likely to continue their discussion of the policy at the MTC Planning Committee meeting in May with approval later this summer.
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact our Senior Director of State and Local Policy Justine Marcus.