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Neighborhood transit oriented development

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Contributed by: DR. SEAN REIF D.C. on 7/12/2006

A Transit Oriented Development is a mixed-use community within a 2,000 (1/3 mile) foot walking distance of a transit stop intended to represent a comfortable walking distance for a majority of people. In some locations, comfortable walking distance is affected by climate, intervening arterials or freeways, and other physical features.

Transit Oriented Development mixes residential, retail, office, open space, and public uses in a walkable environment, making it convenient for residents and employees to travel by transit, bicycle, foot or car.

If properly designed, Neighborhood TODs can meet local needs for public facilities and parks, respect the character and quality of existing neighborhoods, and limit inter-community traffic through residential areas. They are walkable communities, providing access for children, the elderly, and those adults who choose to walk or bike. TOD residential areas include housing that is within a convenient walking distance from core commercial areas and the transit stop.

The commercial core of the TOD is essential because it permits most residents and employees to walk or ride bicycles for goods and services. Employment generating uses, such as office building and light industrial uses may be located adjacent to the core commercial area. The transit stop and commercial area should be complemented with a "village green" or public plaza which can serve as a focal point for community activities. Secure and convenient bicycle parking facilities structures should be provided to encourage bicycle access. Secure bike locker are especially important to "bike & ride" transit users and should be centrally located, easily accessible to building entrances, and closer to the buildings than auto parking areas. These facilities should not block pedestrian routes.

By making it convenient for residents to bike or walk to the transit stop, transit utilization in single-family areas may increase. This is important in existing neighborhoods where streets may need to be retrofitted and will keep many auto trips off arterials.

Site plans should integrate existing uses by respecting their ON-GOING operations, basic access requirements, and if appropriate, existing building codes and architecture. Site landscaping and building frontage treatments may be needed to enhance streets and mitigate areas where street-side conditions are unavoidable.

Site improvements may be required to make these properties more pedestrian oriented. Safe, direct and pleasant pedestrian connections should be provided to surrounding areas. Crosswalks should be provided at all signalized intersections. Under-crossings or bridges designed for pedestrians and bicyclists are discouraged, unless necessary in already developed areas to solve critical access problems for the handicapped, because they are expensive and generally long, circuit routes that are often unused. But, pedestrians must be permitted to move easily and safely across arterials intersections designed to provide connections between core commercial, employments, parks, schools, and residential areas.

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Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

posted on 7/12/2006 @ 10:33:31 AM

Rated Story

I live here. And we are going to get this RIGHT and we are going to get it RIGHT - THE FIRST TIME! Or NOT, because “NOT AT ALL” is still a very VIABLE OPTION. Because we have to look at IT. EVERY SINGLE DAY. And while it is but ONE PROJECT in the whole host of projects that make NORTHGLENN and maintains a common denominator FOCUS for you. It is of major importance to ME, and to my NEIGHBORS. And as it does serve ALL OF NORTHGLENN, and Ward II has it in the Back Alley. This is MAINSTREET WARD 1. THIS IS OUR BABY!

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DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

THORNTON , CO

DR. SEAN REIF D.C. has posted 1030 stories and 1195 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. DR. SEAN REIF D.C. 's average story rating is 3.04.

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