Transferability Report Guidance for Developing Community … · 2019-01-18 · Guidance for Developing Community Sustainable Development Initiatives Implementation Plans This Transferability

Transferability Report Guidance for Developing Community Sustainable Development Initiatives

Implementation Plans

This Transferability Report provides methodological guidance for developing

Implementation Plans for Mid- Hudson municipalities based on an approach developed by

the Land Use Law Center through their Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program

(LULA). The methodology summary was created and piloted with support from 40

municipalities who participated in the LULA program over the course of 3 years. Common

land use issues and barriers identified during the regional programs included issues ranging

from transit oriented development to addressing renewable energy siting. Due to the wide

range of community typologies, a wide range of techniques were raised. The Best Practice

Action sheets summarize and showcase the land use tools, techniques, and

recommendations for the prioritized sustainable development practices identified for the region.

In addition, the communities, who participated, found it beneficial to start with a community

profile of their community showcasing demographic trends and current planning

documents. In additional, communities also used an assessment of their codes and plans to

find gaps and barriers to implementing sustainable development initiatives. A template for

this assessment can be found below. Finally, municipalities used implementation plan

questions to guide them in furthering their priorities, including assessing financial

considerations, personal support, and other challenges worth considering. The

municipalities can utilize the below templates to identify issues and barriers and select

appropriate techniques. These Best Practice Action sheets are included in the appendices to

provide the specific strategies for the selected actions.

Methodology:

Step 1: Develop a Community Profile by completing the template in the appendix. For the

community profiles everything within population and income can be found on the

following government sites:

(http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045214/3608715968/embed/accessible; h

ttps://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml).

Step 2: Complete the Planning and Zoning Gap Analysis

Step 3: Using the Gap Work Guide, conduct the Sustainable Development Actions A

Community Implementation Evaluation. In order to identify work completed, reference the

Analysis. To make decisions about strategies to undertake, evaluate the Best Practice Action Guide.

Step 4: For each selected Action, complete an Implementation Worksheet.

[MUNICIPAL LOGO]

1 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2 2010 Census

[Municipality Name] [address] [phone and email] [website]

Supported by:

[INSERT MAP OF MUNICIPALITY]

POPULATION AND SIZE

Total Population ----1

Total Households ----2

Median Age ----1

Size of Municipality -- sq. mi.

Population Breakdown by Age

0-14 years ----

15-19 years ----

20-24 years ----

25-44 years ----

45-64 years ----

65-84 years ----

85+ years ----

INCOME

Median Household Income $--,---1

Per Capita Income $--,---1

Median Owner-Occupied Housing Value $---,---1

PLANNING DATE

Example: Comprehensive Plan 2005

ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest neighboring

Municipalities

Nearest Major City

Distance to Nearest Major City ~-- mi.

Distance to Nearest Interstate -- mi.

Distance to nearest NY transit

location

Nearest Amtrak Station

Distance to Nearest Amtrak -- mi.

PROGRAMS & COMMITTEES

Example: Conservation Advisory Council

1

Planning and Zoning Analysis

Before a municipality can select sustainable development actions for implementation, it must first conduct a gap analysis to identify what is already in place. This will include reviewing the community’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning and assessing whether their community has sustainable development actions. A template is provided in the appendix. Please use the Gap Work Guide below for assistance.

Gap Work Guide

(1) Find the applicable zoning code for your municipality. It may be found on e-codes.com. It is easiest to conduct a google search and click the applicable link.

(2) Familiarize yourself with where the zoning portion of the code is and the numerous sections of the zoning code.

(3) Look for provisions within the code for each sustainability parameter. When looking for such utilize the Command/Control-F function and search for applicable terms. Below is a list of terms that are recommended for most categories (each term itself should also be searched. Please incorporate others as you see fit, and do a final read-through to make sure that you are not missing anything. Lastly, when using search terms, try to use the base words within. For example, instead of “railway,” try “rail.”

(4) When you find a provision, place it into the excel spreadsheet in the applicable box. Each provision should start with a bolded and underlined section number followed by a paraphrasing of the provision. If you feel that it should be quoted, then do so. Please to not quote long provisions.

Land Use, Livable Communities & Transportation:

- Transit Oriented Development: efficient, transport, infrastructure, reduce energy consumption, vehicle pollution, pedestrian, train, railway, mobility.

- Parking Requirements for Transit Oriented Development: - Denser Mixed Use Development: - Form Based Codes: - Building Design Guidelines for Mixed-Use Development: façade, retail on bottom,

residential on top. - Multi-Modal Transportation: vehicle pollution, street trees (encourage

walking/biking), shade, sidewalk, bicycle/bike, bicycle lane, pedestrians, diagonal parking.

- Streetscape Design Guidelines: Tree-lined, streetscape, green streets, sidewalk. - Electric Vehicles: EV, charging stations, alternative fuel filling station, battery,

parking. - Affordable Housing: mix, transportation, race, age, economic levels, mixed-

income, elderly, senior citizens.

Energy:

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- Energy Efficient Building Construction: LEED. - Renewables: - Distributed Energy & Energy Districts: - Construction Related Impacts: - Green Buildings: - Design/Shield Lights to Minimize Light Pollution: light, shield, nuisance, pollution,

cone. - Building Design & Orientation to Optimize Solar: solar, orient, LEED, heat,

efficient. - Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect: pervious surface, permeable, materials, cool,

roofs, vegetated roofs.

Agriculture & Open Spaces:

- Farmland & Open Space Protection: conservation easements, transfer of development rights, cluster development, overlay zoning, incentive zoning, agriculture, floating zone.

- Urban Agriculture: food, community garden, local farm, farmer’s market. - Preserve Natural Resources & Sensitive Environmental Resources: floodplains,

wetlands, sensitive habitats, transferable development rights, overlay zoning, cluster, special use permit.

Water:

- Low Impact Development & Green Infrastructure: cluster, pervious surface, permeable stormwater, drainage, groundwater recharge, rain gardens, bio-retention areas, vegetated swales, tree planting, green roofs.

- Coastal Resiliency: coast, sea level, resilient, floodplain, waterbody conservation easements, watershed management.

- Drought: conserve, conservation, water efficiency, water supply, vulnerable, environmental justice.

- Floodplain Management: flood, permeable, resiliency, infrastructure, storm surge, culverts, drainage, buffer, vulnerability, protect agriculture and open space easements, natural resources, stormwater.

- Grey Water Reuse: wastewater, recycled water, on-site water harvest, rain barrels, grey/gray, toilet, shower.

Community Engagement:

- Public Participation & Creation of Task Forces: working group, educate, best practices, study, investigate.

SustainabilityActions

LANDUSE,LIVABLECOMMUNITIES&TRANSPORTATION ComprehensivePlan Zoning

SupportTransitOrientedDevelopment

DenserMixed‐useDevelopment

Example:Coredistricts(HamletCoreandNeighborhoodCore)designedformixed‐use(p.50)

Example: 108‐5.11.1 :CrossroadsCoredistrictspecificallyformulatedtofosterdensemixed‐usedevelopmentinhistorichamletarea.

FormBasedCodes

BuildingDesignGuidelinesforMixed‐UseDevelopment

Multi‐ModalTransportationStreetscapeDesignGuidelinesParkingRequirementsforTransitOrientedDevelopment

ElectricVehicles

AffordableHousingENERGY

EnergyEfficientBuildingConstruction

Renewables

DistributedGeneration&EnergyDistricts

ConstructionRelatedImpacts

GreenBuildings

Design/ShieldLightstoMinimizeLightPollution

BuildingDesign&OrientationtoOptimizeSolar(passive&active)

MitigateUrbanHeatIslandEffect

AGRICULTURE&OPENSPACES

Farmland&OpenSpaceProtection

PLANNINGANDZONINGGAPANALYSIS

UrbanAgricultureNaturalResources&SensitiveEnvironmentalResourcesWATERLowImpactDevelopment&GreenInfrastructureCoastalResiliencyDroughtFloodplainManagementGreyWaterReuseCOMMUNITYENGAGEMENTPublicParticipation&CreationofTaskForces

Sustainable Development Actions A Community Implementation Evaluation

Co

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LAND USE, LIVABLE COMMUNITIES AND TRANSPORTATION Planning to Support Transit Oriented Development ■ ■ ■

Zoning to Support Transit Oriented Development ■ ■ ■

Planning for Denser Mixed-use Development ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Denser Mixed-used Development ■ ■ ■

Adopt Form Based Codes ■ ■ ■

Building Design Guidelines for Mixed-Use Development ■ ■ ■

Planning for Multi-Modal transportation ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Multi-Modal transportation ■ ■ ■

Streetscape Design Guidelines ■ ■ ■

Parking Requirements for Transit Oriented Development ■ ■ ■

Planning for Electric Vehicles ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Electric Vehicles ■ ■ ■

Planning for Affordable Housing ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Affordable Housing ■ ■ ■

ENERGY

Planning for Energy Efficient Building Construction ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Energy Efficient Building Construction ■ ■ ■

Planning for Renewables ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Renewables ■ ■ ■

Planning for Distributed Generation and Energy Districts ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Distributed Generation and Energy Districts ■ ■ ■

Planning for Construction Related Impacts ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Construction Related Impacts ■ ■ ■

Planning for Green Buildings ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Green Buildings ■ ■ ■

Design/Shielding Lights to Minimize Light Pollution ■ ■ ■

Orient/design buildings to optimize passive and active solar ■ ■ ■

Planning to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect ■ ■ ■

Zoning to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect ■ ■ ■

AGRICULTURE AND OPEN SPACES

Planning for Farmland and Open Space Protection ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Farmland and Open Space Protection ■ ■ ■

Planning for Urban Agriculture ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Urban Agriculture ■ ■ ■

Planning for Natural Resources, and Sensitive Environmental Resources ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Natural Resources, and Sensitive Environmental Resources ■ ■ ■

WATER

Planning for Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure ■ ■ ■

Planning for Coastal Resiliency ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Coastal Resiliency ■ ■ ■

Planning for Drought ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Drought ■ ■ ■

Planning for Floodplain Management ■ ■ ■

Zoning for Floodplain Management ■ ■ ■

Planning and Zoning for Grey Water Reuse ■ ■ ■

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Planning for Public Participation & Creation of Task Forces ■ ■ ■

SUPPORTED BY:

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN GOALS AND ACTIONS

Based on your Gap Analysis and the Evaluation, you should develop and identify goals and related actions. Select Goal(s)

1. Discuss a goal(s) that you would like to accomplish in the next 12 months. If you would like, feel free to use the template below to create your problem statement. Problem Statement: How can we (carry out our preferred goal), in order to (insert objective to be achieved), while (list one or more concerns or interests that need to be considered and respected). Example:

How can we implement the priorities in our comprehensive plan, in order to achieve sustainability/sustainable development, while respecting the interest of community members? How can we facilitate solar energy system development in order to lower energy costs and carbon emissions, while limiting the costs to developers and landowners of installing such systems?

2

Select Action(s)

2. Have your team review the actions relevant to the selected goal in the Best Practice Action sheets. Select actions that are most necessary in moving your goal forward and prioritize if appropriate. Note you should only select actions your team is committed to pursuing.

Barriers/Concerns

3. Based on your gap analysis, and your priority goal(s) developed above, please add

3-5 barriers in moving the selected action forward in your community and how you plan on overcoming these barriers?

Resources/Key Leaders

4. Identify potential resources and key leaders for carrying out selected action(s).

Best Practice Action Sheets

A product of the Sustainable Development Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program

Funded by NYSERDA

To promote economic and sustainable development, the Land Use and Leadership Alliance (LULA) training program has developed a series of Best Practice Action Sheets for communities. Best practices featured in these action sheets derive from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system (LEED-ND) and Technical Guidance Manual for Sustainable Neighborhoods (TGM), the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Strategy and Sustainability Plan, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Land Use Tool Kit, and the Climate Smart Communities Program certification standards, all well-known and established guidance documents and frameworks that embody accepted sustainable development standards. Using this guidance, each Best Practice Action Sheet features an innovative planning and/or zoning technique that promotes a specific aspect of sustainable development and includes a description of the highlighted practice, typical implementation mechanisms, descriptions of example communities that have implemented the practice, and a list of additional helpful resources. The following Best Practice Action Sheets are listed below: Planning to Support Transit Oriented Development ................................................................ 1 Zoning to Support Transit Oriented Development .................................................................... 3 Planning for Denser Mixed-use Development ............................................................................. 5 Zoning for Denser Mixed-used Development .............................................................................. 7 Adopt Form Based Codes ..................................................................................................................... 9 Building Design Guidelines for Mixed-Use Development .................................................... 11 Planning for Multi-Modal transportation ................................................................................... 13 Zoning for Multi-Modal transportation ....................................................................................... 15 Streetscape Design Guidelines ........................................................................................................ 17 Parking Requirements for Transit Oriented Development ................................................. 19 Planning for Electric Vehicles ......................................................................................................... 21 Zoning for Electric Vehicles ............................................................................................................. 23 Planning for Affordable Housing ................................................................................................... 25 Zoning for Affordable Housing ....................................................................................................... 27 Planning for Energy Efficient Building Construction ............................................................. 29 Zoning for Energy Efficient Building Construction ................................................................. 31 Planning for Renewables .................................................................................................................. 33 Zoning for Renewables ...................................................................................................................... 35 Planning for Distributed Generation and Energy Districts ................................................. 37 Zoning for Distributed Generation and Energy Districts ..................................................... 39 Planning for Construction Related Impacts ............................................................................... 41 Zoning for Construction Related Impacts................................................................................... 43 Planning for Green Buildings .......................................................................................................... 45 Zoning for Green Buildings .............................................................................................................. 47 Design/Shielding Lights to Minimize Light Pollution ............................................................ 49 Orient/design buildings to optimize passive and active solar ........................................... 51 Planning to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect ......................................................................... 53 Zoning to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effect ............................................................................. 55

Planning for Farmland and Open Space Protection ............................................................... 57 Zoning for Farmland and Open Space Protection ................................................................... 59 Planning for Urban Agriculture ...................................................................................................... 61 Zoning for Urban Agriculture .......................................................................................................... 63 Planning for Natural Resources, and Sensitive Environmental Resources ................... 65 Zoning for Natural Resources, and Sensitive Environmental Resources ....................... 67 Planning for Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure ................................... 69 Zoning for Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure ....................................... 71 Planning for Coastal Resiliency ...................................................................................................... 73 Zoning for Coastal Resiliency .......................................................................................................... 75 Planning for Drought .......................................................................................................................... 77 Zoning for Drought .............................................................................................................................. 79 Planning for Floodplain Management.......................................................................................... 81 Zoning for Floodplain Management ............................................................................................. 83 Planning and Zoning for Grey Water Reuse .............................................................................. 85 Planning for Public Participation & Creation of Task Forces ............................................. 87

RESOURCE LIST: Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan (http://bit.ly/2bJyVO6), LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual (http://bit.ly/29t8Wb5), Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual (http://on.ny.gov/29KFjTU), DEC Land Use Toolkit (http://bit.ly/29Kketf), Mid-Hudson Sustainability and Smart Growth Toolkit (http://bit.ly/2bzUe5B)

Transit Oriented Development

Planning

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan Ch. 4.5.1 (p.4-28)

LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual Ch. 1.3 (p.28)

Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual Ch. 6.2 (p.6-6) and Ch. 6.8 (p.6-18)

DEC Land Use Toolkit Adopt a Transit oriented Development Ordinance

Mid-Hudson Smart Growth Toolkit p. 16

DESCRIPTION

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is meant to encourage more efficient use of transportation infra-structure by incorporating goals and planning actions into a munici-pality’s comprehensive plan and zoning laws. The primary objec-tives of TOD planning, just as in zoning, is to reduce energy con-sumption, vehicle pollution, and adverse public health effects by en-couraging multi-modal travel. TOD should provide diverse forms of housing close to transportation hubs, so that residents can work, shop, play, and live without travel-ing for long periods of time in auto-mobiles.

IMPLEMENTATION

New or amended plans, ordinances, and regulations may be needed to enable proper planning mechanisms and tech-niques for creating TOD. Planning for TOD must set out pa-rameters for proximity to a transit facility. These parame-ters must be no more than 1/2 mile, but would ideally be 1/4 mile in radius. Comprehensive plans may be amended to provide a vision for reduced off-street parking, improved street connectivity, utilization of sustainable pavement, cre-ation of pedestrian friendly streets and a network of bicycle lanes and parking spots to promote multi-modal streets, promotion of bike to work/school programs, and the crea-tion of site design guidelines that encourage external con-nectivity. Municipalities may also plan to aid in getting pro-jects underway, collaborate with local partners, and openly engage community leaders and stakeholders. Partnerships are key to successful TOD planning. It is also important to keep in mind that just as important as walking distance, is the aesthetics of the area. People want to walk in aestheti-cally pleasing areas.

Land Use, Livable Communities & Transportation

Photo by Dennis McClendon (CC BY-NC 4.0). Copyright 1988 American Planning.

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http://bit.ly/2bJyVO6




http://bit.ly/2bZPyVD




http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/certman.pdf




http://nyslandusetoolkit.us/practicesByCategory.php?category=Land%20Use








http://bit.ly/2bzUe5B




http://hudsonvalleyregionalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MidHudson-CGC-Plan-Report.pdf




http://hudsonvalleyregionalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MidHudson-CGC-Plan-Report.pdf#page=70




http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/Technical-Guid.-Man.-for-Sust.-Neighborhoods-2012.pdf




http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/Technical-Guid.-Man.-for-Sust.-Neighborhoods-2012.pdf#page=32








http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/certman.pdf#page=143












http://library.rpa.org/pdf/Mid-Hudson-Sustainability-and-Smart-Growth-Toolkit.pdf




http://library.rpa.org/pdf/Mid-Hudson-Sustainability-and-Smart-Growth-Toolkit.pdf#page=16




BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES

New Rochelle, NY New Rochelle is part of the New York-Connecticut Sustainable Communities Consortium, funded with a HUD grant to “leverage the most extensive and robust transit system in the nation by devel-oping livable communities with mixed-income housing and employment at key nodes in the MTA Metro-North Railroad and MTA Long Island Rail Road Network.” (Available at: http://www.newrochelleny.com/DocumentCenter/View/3456). Harrison, NY Located in close proximity to a train station on the Metro-North’s new Haven Line, the plan seeks to take the 3.3 acres of surface parking lot next to the station and turn it into higher density, mixed use development that includes retail, restaurants, residential units, and a parking garage. (Available at: http://www.mta.info/press-release/metro-north/transit-oriented-development-plan-aims-boost-downtown-harrison.).

RESOURCES

Center for Transit-Oriented Development (available at: http://ctod.org/). TOD Overlay District Model Bylaw (available at: http://www.mass.gov/envir/

smart_growth_toolkit/bylaws/TOD-Bylaw.pdf). Congress for New Urbanism has developed guidelines and best practices for urban development

that align with TOD objectives. (available at: https://www.cnu.org/resources). Smart Growth Online (available at: http://www.smartgrowth.org/). EPA Smart Growth Guidance and Best Practices (available at: https://www.epa.gov/

smartgrowth). Transit-Oriented Development Typology Strategy for Allegheny County (available at: http://

ctod.org/pittsburgh/201302pittsburgh-tod-book-web.pdf). U.S. Green Building Council (available at: http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/

Docs6131.pdf

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http://www.newrochelleny.com/DocumentCenter/View/3456




http://www.mta.info/press-release/metro-north/transit-oriented-development-plan-aims-boost-downtown-harrison




http://ctod.org/

http://ctod.org/

http://ctod.org/

http://ctod.org/

http://www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/bylaws/TOD-Bylaw.pdf




https://www.cnu.org/resources




http://www.smartgrowth.org/




https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth




http://ctod.org/pittsburgh/201302pittsburgh-tod-book-web.pdf




http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/Docs6131.pdf





Transit Oriented Development

Zoning

www.completecommunitiesde.org Diagram of Transit-Oriented Development model

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan Ch. 4.5.1 (p.4-28)


Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual Ch. 6.2 (p.6-6) and Ch. 6.8 (p.6-18)


DESCRIPTION

The overall concept of Transit Oriented Develop-ment (TOD) is to encourage more efficient use of transportation infrastructure by incorporating goals and planning actions into a municipality’s compre-hensive plan and zoning laws. The primary objec-tives of TOD zoning is to reduce energy consump-tion, vehicle pollution, and adverse public health effects by encouraging multi modal travel. TOD should provide diverse forms of housing close to transportation hubs, so that residents can work, shop, play, and live without traveling for long peri-ods of time in automobiles.

IMPLEMENTATION

Typical zoning implementation mecha-nisms create and implement a comprehen-sive municipal transportation demand management program. Through zoning amendments developers can formally en-courage reduction of off-street parking re-quirements, dedicate some off-street park-ing as shared-use, introduce pedestrian amenities and rationalize car movements to zone road networks to maximize con-nectivity so that transit vehicles can effi-ciently reach multiple destinations, zone streets to accommodate multiple uses, support alternative forms of mobility, cre-ate walkable environments, and allocate space for transit-supportive amenities such as stops, information kiosks and well-designed parking areas. TOD zoning is best organized by the use of form based codes.


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http://www.completecommunitiesde.org/planning/complete-streets/tod/









































Tompkins County, NY Thompkins County has a pedestrian neighborhood zone model ordinance, providing for a zone built specifically for spatial needs of pedestrians rather than the automobile. (Available at: http://community-that-works.org/tools/pedestrian-neighborhood-zoning/). Poughkeepsie, NY Poughkeepsie is creating a Waterfront TOD program “to encourage a pedestrian-friendly, urban mix of public, recreational, residential, and compatible commercial uses within walking distance of waterfront parks . . . and the railroad station.” (Available at: http://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/building/planning/).

RESOURCES

Center for Transit-Oriented Development (available at: http://ctod.org/). TOD Overlay District Model Bylaw (available at: http://www.mass.gov/envir/

smart_growth_toolkit/bylaws/TOD-Bylaw.pdf). Congress for New Urbanism has developed guidelines and best practices for urban development

that align with TOD objectives. (available at: https://www.cnu.org/resources). Smart Growth Online (available at: http://www.smartgrowth.org/). EPA Smart Growth Guidance and Best Practices (available at: https://www.epa.gov/

smartgrowth). Transit-Oriented Development Typology Strategy for Allegheny County (available at: http://

ctod.org/pittsburgh/201302pittsburgh-tod-book-web.pdf). U.S. Green Building Council (available at: http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/

Docs6131.pdf

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http://community-that-works.org/tools/pedestrian-neighborhood-zoning/








http://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/building/planning/




http://ctod.org/

http://ctod.org/

http://ctod.org/

http://ctod.org/


























Denser Mixed-Use Development ‒

Planning

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Sustainability Plan Ch. 4.5.1 (p.4-28)


Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual Ch. 6.2 (p.6-6) and Ch. 6.8 (p.6.18)


Mid-Hudson Smart Growth Toolkit p. 16

DESCRIPTION

Traditional land use zoning separates land uses,

promoting single-family housing that increases

the spread of sprawl. Denser mixed-use develop-

ment brings together a vast array of residential

housing options combined with commercial uses.

The effect is the creation of a much more livable

community with the ability to work, shop, and en-

joy the local community, all while decreasing the

need for vehicular travel. Mixed-use development

is also vital to the success of Transit Oriented De-

velopments (TOD). Denser mixed-use develop-

ment is just as important to areas without nearby

transit. For instance, areas that are in close prox-

imity to a large employer should incorporate

denser mixed-uses in order to increase the popu-

lation within close proximity, while sustaining or

revitalizing local business.

IMPLEMENTATION

New or amended plans, ordinances, and regu-lations may be needed to enable proper plan-ning mechanisms and techniques for creating mixed-use development. Planning for denser mixed-use development should incorporate creation of public spaces that are not just parks and plazas. This means the creation of streets where the buildings relate in a con-sistent way and are oriented towards the street to generate greater public space. Each public space should have a clear identity sep-arate from others. There should also be sup-port for mobility by way of biking, walking, or mass transportation, as well as by automo-bile. Planning for denser mixed-use develop-ment may also encompass more efficient plumbing and energy designs for newly built buildings. Any design of a neighborhood with denser mixed-use development should be cognizant of natural resources and systems in the area as well.


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Boston, MA Columbia Point, which is right outside of Boston, approved a master plan in 2011 to better connect Columbia Point with the city and to further create more pedestrian friendly spaces. Accomplishing such a task required incorporation of compact, mixed-use neighborhoods that has adequate walka-ble streets and were accompanied by transportation systems. (Available at: http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/planning/planning-initiatives/columbia-point-master-plan). Nashville, TN The downtown code of Nashville, Tennessee creates a more sustainable community by breaking the downtown into four use areas that all include the likes of recreational and entertainment uses, as well as residential, commercial, transportation, recreational, and educational uses. (Available at: http://www.nashville.gov/Planning-Department/Community-Planning-Design/Community-Plans/Downtown.aspx).

RESOURCES

EPA Smart Growth (available at: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth). APA Smart Growth Codes (available at: https://www.planning.org/research/smartgrowth/). Smart Code Central Template (available at: http://smartcodecentral.com/). Model Sustainable Development Ordinance/Mixed-Use (available at: http://

www.crplanning.com/_ordinances/vmu.pdf). Transit Oriented Development Overlay District (available at: http://www.mass.gov/envir/

smart_growth_toolkit/bylaws/TOD-Bylaw.pdf). Orlando, Florida Density Bonuses (available at: https://www.municode.com/library/fl/orlando/

codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIICICO_CH58ZODIUS_PT6DEINBO).

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http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/planning/planning-initiatives/columbia-point-master-plan




http://www.nashville.gov/Planning-Department/Community-Planning-Design/Community-Plans/Downtown.aspx








https://www.planning.org/research/smartgrowth/




http://smartcodecentral.com/




http://www.crplanning.com/_ordinances/vmu.pdf








https://www.municode.com/library/fl/orlando/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIICICO_CH58ZODIUS_PT6DEINBO





Denser Mixed-use Development ‒

Zoning

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan Ch. 4.5.1 (p.4-28), Ch. 4.5.2 (p. 4-30)

LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual Ch. 2.1 (p.44), Ch. 2.11 (p.53), Ch. 2.14 (p.57), Ch. 3.8 (p.69), Ch. 4.2 (p.87), Ch. 4.3 (p.88), Ch. 4.16 (p. 100), Ch. 4.17 (p.101)

DEC Land Use Toolkit Designate Higher-Density Mixed-Use Areas, Adopt a Smart Code, Adopt Downtown Mixed-Use Ordi-nance

Mid-Hudson Smart Growth Toolkit p. 12, p. 17

DESCRIPTION

Traditional land use zoning separates land uses, pro-

moting single-family housing that increases the spread

of sprawl. Denser mixed-use development brings to-

gether a vast array of residential housing options com-

bined with commercial uses. The effect is the creation

of a much more livable community with the ability to

work, shop, and enjoy the local community, all while

decreasing the need for vehicular travel. Mixed-use

development is also vital to the success of Transit Ori-

ented Developments (TOD). Denser mixed-use devel-

opment is just as important to areas without nearby

transit. For instance, areas that are in close proximity

to a large employer should incorporate denser mixed-

uses in order to increase the population within close

proximity, while sustaining or revitalizing local busi-

ness.

IMPLEMENTATION

There are numerous zoning techniques for denser mixed-use development. Such zoning could provide for reduction of building setbacks, allowing storefronts to be closer to the street, which in turn cre-ates more pedestrian friendly sidewalk spaces. Shared parking and preferential parking allowances can help when retail can utilize parking during the day and a neighboring apartment in the night. More walkable sidewalks and driveways that are wide and continuous will promote more pedestrian traffic and less vehicle use. Building entries at minimal intervals will create a richer pedestrian friendly environment. Setting minimum require-ments for ground floor retail will add more destinations and interests to pedes-


Macon, Georgia

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Kingston, NY Creation of denser mixed use housing can incorporate smaller projects like that taking place in Kingston, New York. The Rural Ulster Preservation Company transformed an abandoned factory into affordable housing for low-income people. The project provided 55 affordable live-work units for artists. (Available at: http://www.thehudsonvalleynews.com/kingston-s-industrial-revolution.html). Cleveland, OH The city of Cleveland has developed a Green Design Overlay District (GDO), which in part includes the reduction of minimum off-street parking requirements for applicants who have shared-parking, on-street parking, or other transportation available to them. (Available at: http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/cwp/sus_oview.php).

RESOURCES

EPA Smart Growth (available at: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth). APA Smart Growth Codes (available at: https://www.planning.org/research/smartgrowth/). Smart Code Central Template (available at: http://smartcodecentral.com/). Model Sustainable Development Ordinance/Mixed-Use (available at: http://

www.crplanning.com/_ordinances/vmu.pdf). Transit Oriented Development Overlay District (available at: http://www.mass.gov/envir/

smart_growth_toolkit/bylaws/TOD-Bylaw.pdf). Orlando, Florida Density Bonuses (available at: https://www.municode.com/library/fl/orlando/

codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIICICO_CH58ZODIUS_PT6DEINBO).

8

http://www.thehudsonvalleynews.com/kingston-s-industrial-revolution.html




http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/cwp/sus_oview.php




























RESOURCELIST:Form‐BasedCodes.org(http://bit.ly/2cg4osj).Mid‐HudsonRegionalSustainabilityPlan(http://bit.ly/2bJyVO6),LEED‐NDTechnicalGuidanceManual(http://bit.ly/29t8Wb5),ClimateSmartCommunitiesCerti icationManual(http://on.ny.gov/29KFjTU),DECLandUseToolkit(http://bit.ly/29Kketf),Mid‐HudsonSustainabilityandSmartGrowthToolkit(http://bit.ly/2bzUe5B)

F ‐B C

Source:http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/01/21/heres‐how‐cincinnatis‐form‐based.html

RESOURCES

ClimateSmartCommunitiesCerti icationManual

p.6‐7

DECLandUseToolkit(AdoptForm‐BasedCodes)

DESCRIPTION

Theuseofform‐basedcodesisamethodofregulatingde‐velopmentthatfocusesonthephysicalcharacterofdevel‐opment,includinglanduseregulations.Unlikeconvention‐alzoningordinances,formbasedcodesproscribebroadlanduseregulationsinsteadofenumeratingspeci icper‐mitteduses,andtheyaretailoredtowardspeci iccommu‐nities.Formbasedcodesaregearedtowardaligningfuturedevelopmentwithinthecontextoflivablecommunitiesbyconsideringsitedesignandbuildingform,andaccordinglytakeintoaccounttherelationshipsbetweenbuildingsandstreets,pedestriansandvehicles,andpublicandprivatespaces.

Form‐basedcodesdonotmakeadvisements,theysetre‐quirements.TheycontainBuildingFormStandardsandPublicSpaceStandards.Buildingformstandardscanregu‐late:howfarabuildingmustbefromthesidewalktohowtallthatsamebuildingmustbeinrelationtothewidthofthegivenstreetitison.Publicspacestandardsregulatehowstreetsconnectandfunctiontogetherasawhole.

IMPLEMENTATION

Form‐basedcodesdorequirealotofpublicinputandsubstantialplanning.Examplesofspeci icgoalsofformbasedcodesincludethefollowing:encouragingmixed‐usedevelopment;promotingamixtureofthehousingstockwithinandacrossvariousloca‐tions;permittingapublicdesignpro‐cesstomeetacommunity’sgoals;andemphasizingtheneedtodecreasetravelwithincommunities.

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BESTPRACTICEEXAMPLES

Babylon,NewYork—TheHamletofWyandanchWyandanchhasbeenoneofLongIslandsmostdistressedcommunitiesforyear.ThetownofBaby‐lonadoptedaform‐basedcode,andworkedutilizingLEED‐NDtobringinmoretransit‐orienteddevelopment,arevitalizedtowncenter,moresustainablestrategiesandmore.(Availableat:http://formbasedcodes.org/content/uploads/2014/01/wyandanch‐ bc‐support.pdf).Malta,NewYorkMalta’s2011DowntownPlanrecommendedadoptionofaformbasedcodetomeetthevisionoftherevitalizationefforts.Thetownheldaseven‐daypublicworkshop.Utilizingthereportandplanfromtheworkshop,aform‐basedcodewasdraftedandendorsedbylocalcitizens.Thecodecon‐tainsacompletestreetmapoftheareacoupledwithupdatestocurrentdesignstandards.(Availableat:http://www.malta‐town.org/index.aspx?NID=285).

RESOURCES

Form‐BasedCodesDe ined(availableat:http://formbasedcodes.org/de inition/). WaystoFailatForm‐BasedCodes(availableat:http://bit.ly/2ceSGgM). LibraryofForm‐BasedCodes(availableat:http://formbasedcodes.org/codes/).

E &R

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Building Design for Mixed-Use Develop-

ment

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Sustainability Plan Ch. 4.5.1 (p.4-28), Ch.4.52 (4-30).

LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual Ch.4 (p.86), Ch.4.10 (p.95), Ch.4.12 (p.97), Ch.5.4 (p.107).

Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual Ch.3.7 (p.3-15), Ch.3.8 (p.3-17) Ch. 6.2 (p.6-6)

DEC Land Use Toolkit Create or Adopt Sustainable Site Design Guide-lines

Mid-Hudson Smart Growth Toolkit p.14

DESCRIPTION

Building design guidelines for mixed-use devel-

opment aid in bringing together numerous resi-

dential housing options combined with com-

mercial uses. More importantly, building design

guidelines make the community more sustaina-

ble for future generations. Building design can

include: material use selection, water re-use

and energy efficiency enhancements, imple-

mentation of high-reflectance or green roofs,

rainwater collection devices, heat island reduc-

tion techniques, and advanced wastewater

management.

IMPLEMENTATION

Planning for mixed-use building design devel-opment should begin with the drafting of building design guidelines. Design guidelines should implement any number of the sugges-tions within the description section of this ac-tion sheet. Sustainability of site design makes sure that development of land is designed to minimize any disruption to the local environ-ment and water runoff. Zoning changes can en-compass specific building character and aes-thetics, relation to streets and public spaces through the use of setback requirements, building entries at minimum intervals, provid-ing for ground-floor retail with residential liv-ing above, and locating parking behind build-ings. Creation of building design standards will promote mobility and environmental sustaina-bility.


Photo by Carolyn Torma (CC BY-NC 4.0). Copyright 2007 American Planning Association.

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Saratoga Springs, NY In Saratoga Springs, New York, the City is implementing a transect zone, which looks to the architec-tural design elements that encourage sustainable and creative new and in-fill developments. It is a more flexible approach than traditional zoning with looks to regulate the uses within a district, ra-ther than form. (Available at: http://www.saratoga-springs.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/244). Stamford, CT In Stamford Connecticut’s Harbor Point area, zoning requires new buildings to “have major frontag-es and entrances on major streets and open spaces,” which “meet the sidewalk” and do not have “publically inaccessible spaces between the façade and the sidewalk.” This zoning promotes walk-ways ad open areas for pedestrians throughout the city, and is effective at creating more sustaina-ble communities. (Available at: http://www.stamfordct.gov/sites/stamfordct/files/file/file/zoning_regulations.pdf).

RESOURCES

DEC Reduce Utility Bills for Municipal Facilities and Operations (available at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/64089.html).

Syracuse, NY - Model Green Building Ordinance (available at: http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/Docs4041.pdf).

Green Building Examples (available at: http://www.usgbc.org/?CMSPageID=1852). NYSERDA Commercial New Construction Program (available at: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All

-Programs/Programs/New-Construction-Program). ICC International Green Construction Code (available at: http://www.iccsafe.org/international-

green-construction-code/). Buffalo Green Code (available at: http://www.buffalogreencode.com/).

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http://www.saratoga-springs.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/244




http://www.stamfordct.gov/sites/stamfordct/files/file/file/zoning_regulations.pdf




http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/64089.html








http://www.usgbc.org/?CMSPageID=1852




https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/New-Construction-Program




http://www.iccsafe.org/international-green-construction-code/




http://www.buffalogreencode.com/





Multi Modal Planning

Sidewalk Integrated Bike Lane (Berlin, NY).

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan Ch.4.1.1 (p.4-2), Ch.4.1.3 (p.4-10), Ch.4.5 (p.4-27), Ch.4.5.3 (p.4-32), Ch.4.5.4 (p.4-33), Ch.4.5.5 (p.4-35) and Ch.4.5.7 (p.4-36)

LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual Ch.3.3 (p.64), Ch.3.4 (p.65), Ch.3.5 (p.66), Ch.3.6 (p.67), Ch.3.7/8 (p.69), Ch.3.9/10 (p.70)

Climate Smart Communities Cert. Manual Ch.6.1 (p.6-2), Ch.6.14 (p.6-30), Ch.6.16 (p.6-34)

DEC Land Use Toolkit Adopt a Smart Code, Reduce Parking Require-ments, Adopt a Bicycle or Pedestrian Master Plan

Mid-Hudson Smart Growth Toolkit p.8, and p. 16,

DESCRIPTION

The concept of multi modal planning is to en-courage more efficient use of transportation infrastructure. Overall, the goal of multimodal transportation is to reduce energy consump-tion, vehicle pollution, and adverse public health effects by creating and implementing a comprehensive municipal transportation de-mand management program. Since trees and shade encourage and enhance multimodal transportation, reduce building cooling loads, and diminish heat islands, site plan and subdi-vision regulations can include requirements for street trees on streets and within parking lots. A comprehensive network of uninterrupted and continuous sidewalks enables pedestrians to reach their destinations by foot. Ideally, on-street parking not only protects pedestrians on sidewalks from vehicles in the street, but it in-creases street activity, while diminishing a need for off-street parking, which takes up more land that could be used more efficiently, while inter-rupting sidewalks. Multi modal planning makes bike use and safety a priority to local transpor-tation. Multimodal planning best practices include providing sufficient access to transit facilities, such as bus stops or rail stations, decreasing the need for road infrastructure,


IMPLEMENTATION

There are an abundant list of potential planning implementation strategies aimed to build multi modal communities. For example, communities can require development projects to provide trees along both sides of at least a set percentage of new and existing streets, or between vehicle a travel-way and walkway, or at inter-vals averaging no more than a set interval length. Specific zoning can require that shade from trees cover a certain percent of the length of sidewalks within or next to a development. Encourage-ment of walking within a community, amendments to sidewalk or unpaved path requirements in site plan and subdivision regula-tions, and requirements for streets within or bordering a project boundary to have a complete network of sidewalks on both sides with safe crossings. Encouragement of bicycling and creation of bike friendly streets, on-street bicycle lanes should be five feet wide at a minimum, and off-street trails must be at least five feet wide for one-way paths and at least eight feet wide for a two-way paths. Communities can also require that new as well as existing streets be designed for multiple users, including bicycles, pedestri-ans, and vehicles. Municipalities can even implement traffic calm-ing strategies such as wide sidewalks and narrow streets, diagonal parking, roundabouts, traffic lanes, road humps, rumble strips and other surface treatments. Communities could even create munici-pal electric or natural gas bus programs.

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Ogdensburg, NY Won Smart Growth America’s “Best Complete Streets Policy” for 2014, by creating a complete street that is safe and accessible for all users, whatever their mode of transportation, age or physical ca-pacity may be. The plan asserts that Ogdensburg “shall view Complete Streets as integral to every-day transportation decision-making practices and processes.” (Available at: http://bit.ly/1zyLsWf). New Haven, CT The city of New Haven created a Complete Streets Steering Committee to guide the develop-ment by way of a policy document and design manual, public process, educational campaign, and traffic enforcement. The committee released a document that includes a policy and ordi-nance that creates a complete streets hierarchy, with pedestrians at the top. The document fur-ther mandates the application of the policy when there is any new or improvement to streets that will affect the public use of the streets and sidewalks (such as: resurfacing, restoring, and reha-bilitation). (Available at: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Engineering/pdfs/CS-Manual-FINAL.pdf).

RESOURCES

Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach (available at: http://bit.ly/1vXqXrs).

Smart Growth America – National Complete Streets Coalition (available at: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets).

NY State Department of Transportation, Complete Streets (available at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/completestreets/nysdot).

DOT, Transportation Alternatives Program (available at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/tap-cmaq).

Victoria Transport Policy Institute, Transportation Demand Management Encyclopedia, Strategies to Make Cycling Convenient, Safe and Pleasant (available at: http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm93.htm).

Victoria Transport Policy Institute, Transportation Demand Management Encyclopedia, Strategies to Make Walking Convenient, Safe and Pleasant (available at: http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm92.htm).

Sample Bike Plans (available at: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/planning/sample_plans.cfm). Poughkeepsie-Dutchess County Transportation Council Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

(available at: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/TransportationCouncil/21810.htm).

DOT Highway Design Manual – Chapter 25 Traffic Calming (available at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/design/dqab/hdm/hdm-repository/chapt_25.pdf).

Project for Public Spaces, Traffic Calming Toolbox (available at: http://www.pps.org/reference/livememtraffic/).

Change Lab Solutions, Pedestrian Friendly Codes (available at: http://www.changelabsolutions.org/childhood-obesity/pedestrian-friendly-code).

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http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/cs/resources/cs-best-policies-2015-webinar.pdf




http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Engineering/pdfs/CS-Manual-FINAL.pdf




http://library.ite.org/pub/e1cff43c-2354-d714-51d9-d82b39d4dbad




http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets




https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/completestreets/nysdot




https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/tap-cmaq




http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm93.htm
















http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/planning/sample_plans.cfm




http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/TransportationCouncil/21810.htm




https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/design/dqab/hdm/hdm-repository/chapt_25.pdf




http://www.pps.org/reference/livememtraffic/




http://www.changelabsolutions.org/childhood-obesity/pedestrian-friendly-code





Multi Modal Zoning

Subwaynynj.com http://subwaynynj.com/revealed-complete-streets-redesign-for-hobokens-washington-street/

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan Ch.4.1.3 (p.4-10), Ch.4.5 (p.4-27), Ch.4.5.3 (p.4-32), Ch.4.5.4 (p.4-33), Ch.4.5.5 (p.4-35) and Ch.4.5.7 (p.4-36)

LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual Ch.3.3 (p.64), Ch.3.4 (p.65), Ch.3.5 (p.66), Ch.3.6 (p.67), Ch.3.7/8 (p.69), Ch.3.9/10 (p.70)

Climate Smart Communities Cert. Manual Ch. 6.1 (p.6-2)

DEC Land Use Toolkit Adopt a Smart Code, Reduce Parking Require-ments,

Mid-Hudson Smart Growth Toolkit p.8, p.14, p.18, p.19, p.20, p.22, p.23, and p.25,

DESCRIPTION

The concept of multi modal zoning is to encourage more efficient use of transportation infrastructure. Over-all, the goal is to reduce energy con-sumption, vehicle pollution, and ad-verse public health effects by en-couraging multi modal travel. Since trees and shade encourage and en-hance multimodal transportation, reduce building cooling loads, and diminish heat islands, site plan and subdivision regulations can include requirements for street trees on streets and within parking lots.


IMPLEMENTATION

Multi modal zoning strategies create green streets by amending street design and transportation requirements in site plan and sub-division regulations by, for example drafting tree planting stand-ards that require trees along existing and new streets, and require tree plantings in any planned street medians and center islands. Also, community plans can require site plan and subdivision devel-opments to shade sidewalks with trees. To encourage walking and bicycling within a community, sidewalk or unpaved path require-ments can lower vehicle traffic speeds to promote multimodal transportation by enhancing safety for pedestrian and bicycle trav-el. Amendments to subdivision and site plan regulations ensure that sidewalks lead safely, directly and continuously to all neces-sary stops, such as neighborhood and commercial centers, schools, and parks. Zoning should also include snow shoveling require-ments for sidewalks. This will also foster the walkability and multi modal identity of a community. Mandating minimum distances be-tween residences and transit stops, working with the local or re-gional transit agency to increase transit service levels, and requir-ing covered transit stop shelters with seating and illumination, as well as secured bicycle racks satisfactory to meet projected de-mand collectively promotes multi modal planning.

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http://subwaynynj.com/revealed-complete-streets-redesign-for-hobokens-washington-street/

























































































































Champaign-Urbana, Illinois Creation of a multimodal corridor enhancement, which includes a developments have a minimum of 140 intersections per square mile to adequately provide safe and efficient connections for bicy-clists, pedestrians, and vehicles. (Available at: https://www.cumtd.com/about-us/getfile?fileid=6313). Buffalo, NY The city of Buffalo Adopted a Complete Street Policy that makes sure that when a roadway is con-structed or repaired the city makes sure to pay attention to commuters of any kind — such as bicy-clists, pedestrians, public transportation users, children, the disabled, and more. The city has also added 30 miles of bike lanes, with 45 miles more being proposed. (Available at: http://gobikebuffalo.org/programs/complete-streets/).

RESOURCES

Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach (available at: http://bit.ly/1vXqXrs).

Smart Growth America – National Complete Streets Coalition (available at: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets).

NY State Department of Transportation, Complete Streets (available at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/completestreets/nysdot).

DOT, Transportation Alternatives Program (available at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/tap-cmaq).

Victoria Transport Policy Institute, Transportation Demand Management Encyclopedia, Strategies to Make Cycling Convenient, Safe and Pleasant (available at: http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm93.htm).

Victoria Transport Policy Institute, Transportation Demand Management Encyclopedia, Strategies to Make Walking Convenient, Safe and Pleasant (available at: http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm92.htm).

Sample Bike Plans (available at: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/planning/sample_plans.cfm).

Poughkeepsie-Dutchess County Transportation Council Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (available at: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/TransportationCouncil/21810.htm).

DOT Highway Design Manual – Chapter 25 Traffic Calming (available at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/design/dqab/hdm/hdm-repository/chapt_25.pdf).

Project for Public Spaces, Traffic Calming Toolbox (available at: http://www.pps.org/

reference/livememtraffic/).

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https://www.cumtd.com/about-us/getfile?fileid=6313




http://gobikebuffalo.org/programs/complete-streets/





















































Design Tree-lined and

Shaded Streetscapes

RESOURCES


Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual Sec. 6.9 (p.6-21), 6.18 (p.6.37),

Mid-Hudson Sustainability and Smart Growth Toolkit p. 22, p. 25, p. 44.

DESCRIPTION

Tree-lined and shaded streetscapes—also called green streets—seek to use trees and the shade they provide to reduce urban heat islands, reduce the amount of effort it takes to cool down buildings, encourage multimodal trans-portation (particularly walking and biking), provide a buff-er from vehicle traffic, aid in stormwater management, and improve air quality. It is worth noting the potential conflict with orienting buildings to capitalize on natural lighting and passive solar; municipalities pursuing both may want to coordinate efforts to limit conflicts.

IMPLEMENTATION

Tree-lined and shaded streetscapes can be implemented by amending site plans and subdivision regulations to require trees and shading. Municipali-ties can also adopt and implement these goals through ordinances — such as a tree preservation ordinance, a municipal street tree program, or as part of an urban heat island ordi-nance. Communities should make sure that these amendments are con-sistent with their comprehensive plans.


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Photo by Kelly Wilson (CC BY-NC 4.0). Copyright 2016 Ameri-

can Planning Association.

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http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/certman.pdf#page-158

















Champaign, Illinois Champaign, requires one tree for every 50 feet of public street and private access drives frontages in its Urban Neighborhood-Residential, Urban Neighborhood-Activity Center, and Urban Neighbor-hood-Corporate districts. (Available at: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/Technical-Guid.-Man.-for-Sust.-Neighborhoods-2012.pdf). Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland drafted a Green Design Overlay District, which requires at least half of off-street parking spaces to be covered. The roofs of such covering structures must have a solar reflectance index of at least 29. Alternatively, a development project could instead shade at least half of the project’s hard-scape area through highly-reflective roof overhangs or tree coverage, use paving materials with a solar reflectance index of at least 29, or install open-grid permeable pavement to aid in stormwater infiltration. Surface parking lot projects must plant one deciduous tree for every 10 parking spaces. (Available at: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/Technical-Guid.-Man.-for-Sust.-Neighborhoods-2012.pdf).

RESOURCES

NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry (available at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4957.html).

Gwinnett County Community Shade Coverage Requirements Policy (available at: https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/planning/pdf/esp/community_shade_coverage_requirements_policy.pdf).

EPA—Trees and Vegetation (available at: https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/using-trees-and-vegetation-reduce-heat-islands).

RPA—Community Design Manual (available at: http://www.rpa.org/sites/rpa.civicactions.net/files/Community-Design-Manual.pdf).

Examples & Resources

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http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4957.html




https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/planning/pdf/esp/community_shade_coverage_requirements_policy.pdf




https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/using-trees-and-vegetation-reduce-heat-islands




http://www.rpa.org/sites/rpa.civicactions.net/files/Community-Design-Manual.pdf




RESOURCELIST:Mid‐HudsonRegionalSustainabilityPlan(http://bit.ly/2bJyVO6),LEED‐NDTechnicalGuidanceManual(http://bit.ly/29t8Wb5),ClimateSmartCommunitiesCerti icationManual(http://on.ny.gov/29KFjTU),DECLandUseToolkit(http://bit.ly/29Kketf),Mid‐HudsonSustainabilityandSmartGrowthToolkit(http://bit.ly/2bzUe5B)

T O D ‒P R

RESOURCES

Mid‐HudsonRegionalSustainabilityPlanCh.4.5.7(p.4‐36)

LEED‐NDTechnicalGuidanceManualCh.2.12‐2.18(p.54),Ch.3.1‐10(p.62)

ClimateSmartCommunitiesCerti icationManualCh.6.8(p.6‐18)

DECLandUseToolkitReduceparkingrequirements

Mid‐HudsonSmartGrowthToolkitp.21‐23

DESCRIPTION

Theoverall concept ofTransitOrientedDevel‐opment (TOD) is to encourage more ef icientuseoftransportationinfrastructurebyincorpo‐ratinggoalsandplanningactionsintoamunici‐pality’s comprehensive plan and zoning laws.While the primary objectives of TOD is to re‐duce energy consumption, vehicle pollution,andadversepublichealth effectsby encourag‐ingmulti‐modaltravelandmixedhousingcloseto the transportation hub. Just as important issetting parking requirements, so that vehiclemilestraveledarediminishedandpromotionofother forms of transportation become moreworthwhile for the everyday citizen in a TODarea. Minimum parking requirements are thenorm, setting a minimum number of parkingspaces that landowners or developers are re‐quired furnish. Requirements are normallybasedongeneralizedstandards,resultingintheexistenceoftoomanyparkingspaces.

IMPLEMENTATION

Reduction can begin by simply reducing oreliminating parking space requirements fordevelopments. Municipalities can also mini‐mizeoff‐streetparking, preferring to incorpo‐rate more pedestrian and bicycle friendlypathsbyexpandingbikepaths and sidewalks,providingmorerobuststreetscapedesign,andensuring interconnectivity of sidewalks andbicycle paths throughout the duration of thedowntownareaandextendingintootherlocalneighborhoods. Other available actions in‐clude:providingmoreconvenienttransitfacili‐ties,commuter incentiveprograms(park‐and‐rideexpansions,andvanpoolprograms),incor‐porating shared parking, reducing parkingspacedimensions,.Also,Parkinglotscanutilizetree planting within the lot to limit parkingspaces while supporting stormwatermanage‐ment.

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Photo by Sylvia Lewis (CC BY‐NC 4.0). Copyright 2008 American Planning Associa on.

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BESTPRACTICEEXAMPLES

Nashville,TNNashville,TennesseehascreatedaDowntownCodethatdoeswelltoencouragethecreationofsus‐tainableneighborhoodswithinthecity.Mostintriguingisaprovisionwithinthecodestating:“[n]oparkingisrequiredwithintheboundaryoftheDTC.”(Availableat:http://www.nashville.gov/Portals/0/SiteContent/Planning/docs/dtc/DTC_150819.pdf).Hercules,CAWithinthetownofHerculesWaterfrontDistrictMasterPlan,off‐streetparkingisonlypermittedwithin37feetoftherearofeachlotforbuildingsthataretypeI‐A,I‐B,andI‐C,whicharealloneortwo‐storyhouses.(Availableat:http://www.ci.hercules.ca.us/index.aspx?page=235).

RESOURCES

DEC,CodeandOrdinanceWorksheetforDevelopmentRulesinNYS(availableat:http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/remediation_hudson_pdf/cownys.pdf).

EPAGreenParking Lot resourceGuide (available at: http://www.streamteamok.net/Doc_link/Green%20Parking%20Lot%20Guide%20( inal).PDF).

EPA Parking Spaces/Community Places (available at: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/parking‐spacescommunity‐places).

NewYork,NYDesignStandardsforCommercial&CommunityFacilityParkingLots(availableat:http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/plans/parking‐lots/parking_lot_present.pdf).

VictoriaTransportPolicyInstitute,ParkingSolutions(availableat:http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm72.htm).

SanFrancisco,CurbColors (availableat:https://www.sfmta.com/getting‐around/parking/curb‐colors).

Austin,TX‐GettingParkingRightforTOD(availableat:http://metro.kingcounty.gov/programs‐projects/right‐size‐parking/).

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Planning for Electric Vehicles

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan Ch.5.5.2 (p.5-21), Ch.5.5.4 (p.5-24) Ch.5.5.5 (p.5-23)

LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual Ch.2.14 (p.57).

Mid-Hudson Sustainability & Smart Growth Toolkit p.25,

Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual Sec. 3.12 (p.3-25), Sec. 6.11 (p.6-25) Sec. 8.10

(p.8-16)

DESCRIPTION

With the advent of electric vehicles and their

steady increase in demand, it is paramount that

communities properly plan and prepare to aid

in the promotion of this sustainable practice.

Planning techniques will not just help early

adopters of electric vehicles, but provide incen-

tives for others to adopt their use as well. Mu-

nicipalities may even choose to lead by exam-

ple, by updating the fleet of municipal vehicles

to electric.

IMPLEMENTATION

New or amended plans, ordinances, and regula-tions may be needed to enable proper planning mechanisms and techniques for electric vehi-cles. Municipalities should not just implement electric vehicle charging stations and parking benefits, but should further develop energy storage capacity to better serve electric vehi-cles. Attention should be paid to making sure that charging stations are in optimal locations. An increase in demand response participation would pay customers to temporarily reduce electricity consumption response to supply con-ditions. This could be applied for customers who charge in low-consumption time periods. Municipalities can also create a municipal vehi-cle replacement plan.

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http://hudsonvalleyregionalcouncil.org/mid-hudson-regional-sustainability-plan/
























BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLE

Mount Kisco, NY NWEAC and Con Edison have begun installing meters that read the consumption of everything within a 10 MW distribution loop. This promotes the availability of all within the loop to participate in demand response programs that they would not be eligible for without—as they are too small. The project currently has plans for installation of four electric vehicle charging stations, each with the capability of earning money through charging at low-demand time intervals. (Available at: file:///C:/Users/dd81034w/Downloads/27-Town-Mount-Kisco.pdf).

RESOURCES

City of Atlanta Electric Vehicle Deployment Municipal Best Practices Study (available at: http://www.rmi.org/Content/Files/Atlanta%20EV%20Readiness%20Study%20.pdf). Albany Electric Vehicle Feasibility Study (available at: http://www.albanysustainability.org/documents/Albany_EV_Final%20Plan.pdf). Northeast Electric Vehicle Network Documents (available at: http://www.transportationandclimate.org/northeast-electric-vehicle-network-documents). Georgetown Climate Center - Installing Charging Stations in Multi-Unit Dwellings (available at: http://www.georgetownclimate.org/files/report/EV%20Information%20for%20%20Multi-Unit%20Housing.pdf). DOE—Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Implementation (available at: http://www.sae.org/events/gim/presentations/2012/bluestein.pdf). DOE—Fuel Economy for Electric Vehicles (available at: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml). Alternative Fuel Tool Kit: How to Implement Electric Vehicles (available at: https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Electric-Vehicle-Chapter.pdf). Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Governments in Washington State (available at: http://www.rmi.org/Content/Files/Atlanta%20 EV%20Readiness%20Study%20.pdf). NYSERDA Clean Transportation Program (available at: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Transportation-Program).


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http://www.rmi.org/Content/Files/Atlanta%20EV%20Readiness%20Study%20.pdf




http://www.albanysustainability.org/documents/Albany_EV_Final%20Plan.pdf




http://www.transportationandclimate.org/northeast-electric-vehicle-network-documents




http://www.georgetownclimate.org/files/report/EV%20Information%20for%20%20Multi-Unit%20Housing.pdf




http://www.sae.org/events/gim/presentations/2012/bluestein.pdf




http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml




https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Electric-Vehicle-Chapter.pdf








https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Transportation-Program





Zoning for Electric Vehicles

URL: http://www.wehoville.com/2016/05/03/city-council-

adopts-measure-make-weho-electric-car-friendly/

RESOURCES

Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan Ch.5.5.2 (p.5-21), Ch.5.5.4 (p.5-24) Ch.5.5.5 (p.5-23)

LEED-ND Technical Guidance Manual Ch.2.14 (p.57).

Mid-Hudson Sustainability & Smart Growth Toolkit p.25,

Climate Smart Communities Certification Manual Sec. 3.12 (p.3-25), Sec. 6.11 (p.6-25) Sec. 8.10

DESCRIPTION

With the advent of electric vehicles and

their steady increase in demand, it is

paramount that communities properly

zone in order to come to promote this

sustainable practice. Proper zoning will

help early adopters of electric vehicles,

while also providing incentives for oth-

ers to adopt their use as well.

IMPLEMENTATION

At the forefront of zoning regulation to aid in the in-crease of electric vehicle use is implementation of shared use parking and preferential parking to those who drive electric vehicles. For instance, parking spac-es can be limited for use by electric vehicles, some may even contain charging stations attached to them. Just as important, municipalities can amend building and zon-ing ordinances, as well as site plan regulations in order to require that electric charging stations be available in all parking lots. This will promote further adoption of the practice as well as limit emissions within the local area.

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BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLE

California California has adopted a new building code, requiring all new construction to be wired for “level 2 electric car charging stations.” Commonsense infrastructure enhancements like these are vital to pushing for more sustainable communities (Available at: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095076_ca-to-require-new-buildings-to-be-wired-for-electric-car-charging-stations).

RESOURCES

City of Atlanta Electric Vehicle Deployment Municipal Best Practices Study (available at: http://www.rmi.org/Content/Files/Atlanta%20EV%20Readiness%20Study%20.pdf). Albany Electric Vehicle Feasibility Study (available at: http://www.albanysustainability.org/documents/Albany_EV_Final%20Plan.pdf). Northeast Electric Vehicle Network Documents (available at: http://www.transportationandclimate.org/northeast-electric-vehicle-network-documents). Georgetown Climate Center - Installing Charging Stations in Multi-Unit Dwellings (available at: http://www.georgetownclimate.org/files/report/EV%20Information%20for%20%20Multi-Unit%20Housing.pdf). DOE—Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Implementation (available at: http://www.sae.org/events/gim/presentations/2012/bluestein.pdf). DOE—Fuel Economy for Electric Vehicles (available at: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml). Alternative Fuel Tool Kit: How to Implement Electric Vehicles (available at: https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Electric-Vehicle-Chapter.pdf). Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Governments in Washington State (available at: http://www.rmi.org/Content/Files/Atlanta%20 EV%20Readiness%20Study%20.pdf). NYSERDA Clean Transportation Program (available at: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Transportation-Program).


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http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095076_ca-to-require-new-buildings-to-be-wired-for-electric-car-charging-stations








































RESOURCELIST:Mid‐HudsonRegionalSustainabilityPlan(http://bit.ly/2bJyVO6),LEED‐NDTechnicalGuidanceManual(http://bit.ly/29t8Wb5),ClimateSmartCommunitiesCerti icationManual(http://on.ny.gov/29KFjTU),DECLandUseToolkit(http://bit.ly/29Kketf),Mid‐HudsonSustainabilityandSmartGrowthToolkit(http://bit.ly/2bzUe5B)

P A H

Photo by Carolyn Torma (CC BY‐NC 4.0). Copyright 2007 American

Planning Associa on.

RESOURCES

Mid‐HudsonRegionalSustainabilityPlanCh.4.1.2(p.4‐3),Ch.4.1.4(p.4‐14)Ch.5.1.8(p.5‐11)

LEED‐NDTechnicalGuidanceManualCh.1.4(p.34).Ch.1.7(p.41),Ch.2.1(p.44),Ch.2.2(p.45),Ch.4.8(p.92),Ch.4.9(p.93),Ch.6.5(p.118)

Mid‐HudsonSustainability&SmartGrowthToolkitp.13

DESCRIPTION

Westchesterasawholehashadashortageofaffordablehousing.Fortunately,thisisaprob‐lemthatcanbeaddressedthroughproperplanningandpolicychangeswithintheregion.Affordablehousingiswhenafamilyorpersonpaysnomorethan30%oftheirincometo‐wardshousing.Itenablestheavailabilityofbettereducation,employment,aswellascostsavingsforuseonfood,transportation,energycosts,andclothing.Environmentaljustice(EJ)principlesrequirespecialconsiderationbeplacedonfairandaffordablehousingsiting.AffordablehousingisabigEJissuesalongthemid‐Hudson,aspricevolitionintheenergymarkethurtslow‐incomeresidents.

IMPLEMENTATION

Neworamendedplans,ordinances,andregula‐tionsmaybeneededtoenableproperplanningmechanismsandtechniquesforcreatingmoreaffordablehousing.Affordablehousingpro‐videsforgreateropportunityandmobilitywhenitissitednearmasstransportation.Tobuildoffofthis,affordablehousingshouldbeinproximitytowherejobsarelocated,astolowertransportationcosts,whilelimitingcarbonfoot‐print.Promotionofnewerrenewableenergieswillaidinlimitingpricevolitionofenergy,whichinturnwillhelppeoplelivinginfairandaffordablehousing.

L U ,L C T

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BESTPRACTICEEXAMPLE

Kingston,NYKingston,NY’sUSLaceCurtainMillFactorwasrevitalized,andconvertedinto55affordablelive‐workunitsforlocalartists.Notonlydoprojectslikethispromoteaffordablehousing,buttheyaremorecostef icientandsustainabledevelopments.(Availableat:http://rupco.org/the‐lace‐mill‐application/).

RESOURCES

GreenAffordableHousingToolkit(availableat:http://community‐wealth.org/content/green‐affordable‐housing‐policy‐toolkit).EastFishkill,NYAffordableHousingSampleLegislation(availableat:http://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/East_Fishkill,_NY_Affordable_Housing).WashingtonAreaHousingPartnershipToolkitforAffordableHousing(availableat:http://www.wahpdc.org/toolkit.html).HUDFairHousingPlanningGuide(availableat:http://www.hud.gov/of ices/ heo/images/hpg.pdf).NCRCFairHousingPlanningResourceGuide(availableat:http://www.ncrc.org/resources/reports‐and‐research/item/883‐fair‐housing‐planning‐resource‐guide).

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