Planning for TOD – A Way to Transform your Community

Transit-oriented development (TOD) capitalizes on public transit access by transforming underutilized spaces into walkable and sustainable communities, with a mix of land uses, a vibrant public realm, and excellent connectivity to transit amenities. The Montgomery County Planning Commission released a Model TOD Ordinance and Guidebook in October of 2021 to support thoughtfully designed mixed-use development around the county’s 49 diverse transit stations. However, the model ordinance also contains helpful information for communities seeking to encourage walkable, mixed-use development outside of station areas.

This session will provide an overview of TOD as a planning concept that benefits communities through emphasizing increased use of alternative modes of transportation and encouraging sensitive infill development within walking distance of transit amenities. Five key design elements for successful TOD projects and related best practices will be highlighted using case study developments. The audience will become familiar with the station area typology approach that was used to reflect the diversity of station areas in Montgomery County. This approach allows for the model ordinance language to be tailored to the scale and character of each typology and makes the model ordinance more applicable to communities outside of Montgomery County. This session will also highlight significant aspects of the comprehensive model ordinance including permitted uses; height bonus options; building, open space, and landscaping design standards; and parking management and design. 

In order to explore TOD planning in an actual community, a local planning and zoning administrator will discuss his municipality’s experience with planning for TOD and how the model ordinance could apply to that community, including success stories and challenges.

In addition to a diverse panel of presenters, attendees will be engaged throughout the presentation through a combination of interactive methods including poll questions, facilitated brainstorming about development case studies, and Q&A.

Learning Objectives for this session will include:

1. Learn about what transit-oriented development (TOD) is and the five key design elements for successful TOD projects, highlighted through case study examples.
2. Learn about the Montgomery County model TOD ordinance and how the station area typology approach could make the ordinance language applicable to many types of communities.
3. Learn about a local municipality’s experience with the advantages and challenges of implementing TOD.

Speakers:
Marley Bice
Pattie E.B. Guttenplan
Claire Warner
Charlie Guttenplan

**The Pennsylvania Chapter is not responsible for the materials or opinions of the speaker(s) you will hear**

Registration is closed.

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Please note: You will receive a reminder email a few days before the webinar with zoom information (please check your spam/junk folders). This email will be sent to the email address you used to register for the event.