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As Light Rail transit unfolds across the country, developers are eyeing opportunities to acquire, design and build profitable projects that business and the public find both desirable and practical. What are the best locations for development near transit? The answer is TOD, or Transit Oriented Development. There are 4,000 locations across the US that meet this definition. This scarce resource is similar to waterfront property, and can provide great benefit to the public.

1. Commercial and Residential Districts around a station. TOD (Transit Oriented Development) refers to the residential and commercial districts that are located around a transit station or corridor, with high quality services, including pedestrian walkability, parking management, and other valuable design features which together facilitate transit use and allow maximum overall accessibility.

2. Number of potential US stations. The US currently has approximately 4,000 stations in fixed-guideway transit systems, according to the Center for TOD. All of these stations are candidates for TOD.

3. Measurement Length of TOD from the station. TOD is often measured by a 5-10 minute walk distance from the station to the boundary edge. This equates to approximately one-quarter to one-half mile distance.

4. Clustering Land use. TOD is more than shifting more car trips to mass transit, although it certainly does just that; it increases land use through clustering business, services and housing. Also, non-motorized transportation improvements are set in place in order to increase accessibility and transportation options.

5. TOD is a scarce and valuable resource. TOD is a scarce and valuable resource, similar to oceanfront locations. Property values increase greater than the average by 5-15%. Practical reasons include the cost and time savings of auto use, parking and maintenance. Many see the TOD improvements being paid for through greater property tax revenues that result from higher appreciation of TOD properties.

6. Higher density, mixed use zoning. Zoning changes are imperative and fundamental to encouraging TOD in all station areas. These may take the form of changes to the underlying zoning, interim zoning while plans are prepared for the station areas, or zoning overlay districts. Components of the zoning often include providing for mixed uses, density bonuses, parking restrictions, reduced setbacks, and pedestrian amenities. The zoning should be tailored to respect the unique setting of individual stations.

7. Revitalizes Community Centers and neighborhoods. TOD promotes a more efficient use of existing land, infrastructure, and services, and widely supports the revitalization of community centers and neighborhoods by encouraging reuse and infill. This has the valuable result of creating a sense of a unique ‘place’.

8. Increase Opportunities for Jobs and Business. More than the businesses and jobs created within the TOD, transit is recognized as a smart investment for providing access to jobs for lower income people, the elderly and the disabled, as well as for a wide range of suburban commuters. TOD enhances the role of transit for these individual groups in providing access to jobs by increasing opportunities for people to find housing and employment near transit stations.

9. Enhanced Transportation Choices. A major objective of TOD is to provide a concentration of living, shopping, entertainment, and employment opportunities within walking distance of transit stations so that people can easily use transit in place of cars. TODs include various pedestrian amenities and bicycle facilities to promote alternative travel options, and encourage shared parking opportunities.

10. Focus Development and Mix Uses. According to the Massachusetts Governor Patrick’s Administration policies, “TOD is synonymous with concentrated development promoting mixed uses and residential densities of at least 12 to 15 units per acre. TOD policies promote increased employment and population concentrations, and a mix of uses that encourage pedestrian activity throughout daytime and evening hours. TOD encourages infill and redevelopment around station areas. Many transit stations along the system and at inner-city transit stations outside the Boston area are located in already developed areas characterized by underutilized or abandoned sites and buildings. TOD offers a real opportunity to redevelop these properties into transit-supportive uses, or transform abandoned sites into new, transit-oriented developments.”