The Fredericksburg Region Needs Transit-Oriented Development

Fredericksburg VA

20 July, 2021

10:29 AM

Description

The Fredericksburg Region Needs Transit-Oriented Development By Ian M. Ollis Transit-oriented development is the process of locating mixed-use development areas around key transportation hubs. Mixed-use is the city, and regional, planning method that allows us to build housing units, like apartments, or townhouses and light commercial buildings, such as offices and restaurants, close to train stations and large bus transit intersections. This kind of planned neighborhood cuts down on driving if combined with bike paths, good sidewalks, regular fast bus service, and trains to further destinations. You can leave your car at home! Transit-oriented development, or TOD zones, are usually specified in planning and zoning documents of cities and counties. Usually, a train station or major bus terminus is at the center, and a zone of higher density development is allowed within a walkable distance of this center. Multimodal transportation is at its core as bike paths, sidewalks, bus and train service are usually brought together in these nodes. Typically, a plan to develop the public space goes along with a TOD; a public square, benches, good lighting, or a small park are included in a TOD zone. The idea is to create a friendly neighborhood with "live, work, and play" in the same node. In our region, there are four key train stations: Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg Central, Leeland Road, Brooke, and one large bus transit center at what is often referred to as "Fred Central". In the future, there could be others, for example, if a large transit center were built in Central Park/Spotsylvania Towne Center, or if a VRE train station was opened in Caroline County near Bowling Green. In each case, a local plan with adjusted zoning would be needed to control development and include the public space changes. What makes this the right time to draw up plans for TOD zones is the massive investment by the state of Virginia to upgrade the rail system and expand the existing train stations. Around $4 billion is being spent and the plan is to double the number of trains over the next 8 to 10 years. Bearing in mind all the planning, zoning, and funding issues involved in laying out new urban zones, that's not a long time to redevelop areas around stations. Coupled with this are the plans for certain new feeder buses to certain train stations, and other new bus service options planned by FRED Transit. TOD development of course helps raise much-needed income for the city and counties in the form of property and other taxes. These taxes can be used for the public space improvements in the TOD or for other items in the area such as schools. TODs provide a number of lifestyle improvements by encouraging active transportation, reducing negative environmental impacts, and revitalizing neighborhoods. The development of TODs also creates much-needed jobs and simultaneously brings new housing onto the market. VRE contractors aim to start construction around the end of this year. Isn't it time we put together our plans for TOD development around these stations and transit centers to keep pace with these transit improvements? Ian M. Ollis is the head of planning for the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, can be followed on Twitter @ianollis, and has no dogs.