METRO TOD Policy

Vision

Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (METRO) is the steward of a large-scale public investment, a regional light rail system. The success of this system is directly related to easy access by potential riders.  While local policies support new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) around stations, METRO can be a valuable partner.

METRO’s role in TOD is to support its member cities in attaining their community and economic development goals and initiatives by serving primarily as a resource, a support function and community educator. By assisting in promoting high quality, more intensive development on and near properties adjacent to the light rail, METRO can increase ridership and support long-term system capacity. Also, such development creates attractive investment opportunities for the private sector and stimulates additional development.

Mission

Assist METRO member cities in developing the policy framework and implementation strategies necessary to successfully build community support for TOD projects that: (1) improve access to public transportation, (2) make communities more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, (3) and create new living spaces that better serve the daily activities of the region by interfacing with a more diversified set of mobility options.

Goals and Objectives

Support community focused development

  • Increase transit-oriented development projects through creative planning and development partnerships with local communities.
  • Increase transit ridership and enhance quality of life at and around METRO stations by encouraging and supporting high quality transit-oriented development within walking distance of METRO stations.
  • Ensure communities are pedestrian friendly and readily accessible by non-motorized modes of transportation.

Increase availability of public transportation

  • Reduce the access mode share of the automobile by enhancing multi-modal access to and from METRO stations in partnership with communities and public transportation providers.
  • Help reduce commute distances and volumes by implementing multimodal transportation solutions that interface with transit friendly, mixed-use community development.

Establish TOD principles in the planning and development process

  • Advocate for city-centered local general plan and zoning regulation amendments.
  • Coordinate with local governments and developers on our initiatives by applying a “good neighbor” approach to gain a proper understanding of mutual opportunities, issues and concerns.

What is TOD?
TOD Info & Contacts

Contact

Benjamin Limmer, AICP
Planner III
101 N. 1st Ave., Suite 1300
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 322-4487
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)