Transit Investments Influence Future Land Use

A Transit Master Plan or TMP is a comprehensive, 20-year plan that will guide the future development of The Rapid transit system. The following is a section pulled from the approved TMP. Download the Transit Master Plan Final report here: [INLINK '658']http://www.ridetherapid.org/futureplanning[/INLINK][INLINK '658'][/INLINK].

How Might Transit Investments Influence Future Land Use?

Because transportation investments have the ability to shape the location and urban form of development, one component of the TMP was an analysis of the six cities’ plans for future development. The TMP project team analyzed the Grand Rapids region’s master plans (Future Land Use and Transportation Elements) to identify what the current policies and plans were for transit‐oriented development. A description of each city’s plan is listed below.

City of Grand Rapids: The Grand Rapids Master Plan recommends transit, pedestrian, and bicycle access for traditional, neighborhood business areas to reduce dependence on cars, and to minimize traffic volumes and parking demands. Land use recommendations focus increased housing densities, mixed‐use centers, and major job centers to transit routes. Transit related objectives and policies include improved and expanded transit service in support of implementing the 1996 LRTP, and assessing the feasibility of fixed guideway routes and alternative transit modes within the city and region. Other policies support transit‐related enhancements when planning and designing street improvement projects. The plan supports a coordinated approach to land use and transportation planning, making transit convenient, efficient, and affordable by locating higher density housing on, or within walking distance of transit routes. Transit‐supportive development densities are proposed for neighborhood, village, and sub‐regional mixed‐use centers. Future commercial, business, and employment uses are planned as nodes throughout the city based on existing land use patterns. Major employment and activity centers are planned for transit service.

City of Wyoming: Transit is included as an essential component of the City of Wyoming’s Master Plan. The land use vision discusses transit and transit oriented development, particularly regarding major commercial corridors, including Division Avenue, M‐6 interchange areas, and employment clusters. A city is envisioned where residents and workers will have the option of using an efficient, safe, and dependable public transit system as a viable alternative to the private automobile. The future land use map indicates mixed use areas with sufficient density and intensity to facilitate transit ridership and with a variety of activities around future transit stations. Division Avenue corridor recommendations include public transit by providing: sheltered transit stops; where possible, bus pullouts outside of travel lanes; and increased residential densities. A mixed‐use transit oriented‐style development is envisioned around the 28th Street and Division Avenue intersection.

City of Kentwood: The City of Kentwood identifies Transit Corridors as a subsection of the Traffic/Transportation/Transit Network Planning Principles that are addressed throughout their Master Plan. The implementation of a balanced ownership/rental housing policy includes the targeted redevelopment of high density residential properties that are supported by adjacent transit routes. Key transit issues are identified for the 28th Street corridors. Actions include upgraded and more frequent transit stops with amenities, links from transit stops to public and private services, and enhanced amenities at transit stops, including sidewalk linkages. All current transit corridors are identified as the potential location for TOD. Guidelines to encourage TOD and mixed use development are also recommended. The Great Transit, Grand Tomorrow Study identifies several Kentwood corridors that could benefit from enhanced transit service. This study further recommends Kentwood should reinforce and enhance these corridors and other future corridors, with opportunities for transit and park and ride lots through specific actions.

City of Walker: The City of Walker’s Master Plan includes several subarea plans, three of which accommodate high density residential, as well as concentrations of commercial, business, and employment uses. The Standale Subarea promotes mixed‐use development including residential, commercial, and office uses in a “downtown setting”, with development of higher density residential in surrounding neighborhoods. The Alpine Avenue Subarea recommends developing higher density residential uses that allow a blend of different types of homes, ranging from small lot single‐family to townhomes and flats in new neighborhoods. The area surrounding the I‐96 corridor is planned for a mix of uses including industrial, office, commercial, single family, and a mixed‐use village center.

City of East Grand Rapids: The City of East Grand Rapids’ Master Plan recognizes the need for a regional transit authority and includes several statements supporting transit in the Grand Rapids region. A subarea plan for the Gaslight Village (downtown East Grand Rapids) calls for high density, mixed‐use development, including commercial, mixed‐density residential, and business/office. Specific actions related to transit include working with The Rapid and other area communities to upgrade transit service and facilities at major sites and activity nodes.

City of Grandville: Transit is mentioned only as a community service and any specific issues, goals, or strategies pertaining to transit are not mentioned. Downtown Grandville is planned for mixed use redevelopment as is the area surrounding the intersection of Ivanrest Avenue and 44th Street. Implementation strategies include an overhaul of the City’s zoning ordinance to allow for higher densities and mixed use development where appropriate.