Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) – Discussion Highlights

2023

  • November 2023 The area near the new Uptown ATX Red Line stop is rapidly converting from industrial to multifamily development
    • This area falls under the North Burnet Gateway regulating plan, which allows extra density. At the time the project we toured commenced, the market only called for 4 story development, while newer projects in the same area are going to 7, 8, or 9 stories. Pedestrian infrastructure is lagging but is anticipated to catch up.
  • September 2023 Presentation via Leah Bojo from Drenner Group. Leah reviewed state law and city code changes / proposed changes
    • The state overrode a recent city ordinance that had made commercial projects subject to parkland dedication.
    • The state tightened up requirements for Public Facilities Corporations.
    • The City is considering a number of code changes including reducing compatibility and eliminating parking minimums
  • August 2023 Planning for meeting topics / presenters for the balance of 2023
  • July 2023 Presentation on Our Future 35 with discussion
    • Brainstorming session on how to use the space provided by the proposed caps
    • further opportunities to get involved are forthcoming
  • June 2023 Presentation via Austin Transit Partnership – update on Project Connect
    • “We need to design something that is competitive with the car if we want people to use it”
    • “We want people to be able to get from a to b in a predictable, easy, and simple way”
    • ATP is benchmarking other cities with transformative rail infrastructure to see what worked and what didn’t
    • There is an interactive dashboard on the ATP website
  • May 2023 Presentation on zoning or TOD’s via Ellen Ray
    • It is important to get affordability requirements right so projects will actually pencil
    • Integration between TOD’s and the station area is important
    • Consistency is important for TOD zoning
  • April 2023 Presentation on Brodie Oaks development via Lionheart Places and Barshop and Oles
    • the development team has been working closely with the City for several years
    • project values include Place, Connection, Ecology, Climate, Community
    • the project is slated to have 200 affordable housing units, including a Foundation Communities project
  • March 2023 Tour of ACC Highland Mall campus
    • the project includes a combination of repurposed / redeveloped mall buildings and new construction
    • the project incorporates and celebrates the history of the site
    • the design creates connections on the site that bring people together
  • February 2023 Planning for first half of 2023

2022

  • October 2022 Perkins/Will E-TOD Overview
    • “ETod are looking at the reducing negative impact of development in the community. Focusing on: displacement, economic opportunities.
    • Study helped to create 50 policies that should be implemented with Project Connect. “
  • September 2022 Plaza Saltillo tour
  • August 2022 Planning
  • June 2022 Jason King, IBI Group
  • May 2022 Dan Hennessey, Transit Strategic Council
    • Opportunites with PC including: 1. Importance of density 2. Map of lines whoing how limited this sytem is- how can we make it better? 3. Places we can create through mobility lens with land use 4. extending lines to RR, Leander, Kyle, San Marcos 5. Potential new area stops- barriers that prevent walkability
  • April 2022 James Conway, Stratford City-London Olympics TOD
    • How to use special event as a catalyst for greater neighborhood regeneration.
    • Lessons learned on engagement and community buy-in/equity
    • Ways to plan for temporary vs legacy structures to maximize long term growth
    • Various modes of connecting people via transportation, open space, and smart buildings.
  • March 2022 Jonathan Mosteiro
  • January 2022 Christof Spieler author of Busses, Planes, and People.