Implementing a Long Range Plan CDTCs Linkage Planning Program

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Implementing a Long Range PlanCDTCs Linkage
Planning Program

• Sandy Misiewicz, AICP
• Capital District Transportation Committee
• AMPO Conference
• November 3, 2006

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NYS Metropolitan Planning Organizations
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• Capital District
• Context
• Over 850,000 people
• 78 Municipalities
• Numerous small, older, traditionally-industrial
  urban centers
• Suburbs between them

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Capital District Context

• Slow Growth
• 2.1 from 1990 to 2000
• 2.8 estimated 2000 to 2005
• Uneven Distribution of Growth
• Sprawl Without Growth
• Increasingly concentrated urban poverty
• Stable but slow-growth economy

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Albany, NY
Photo courtesy of www.photosfromonhigh.com
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Albanys Center Square Neighborhood
Photo courtesy of www.centersquare.org
Photo courtesy of www.centersquare.org
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Suburban Development
Photo courtesy of www.photosfromonhigh.com
Photo courtesy of CDTC
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Rural Towns and Villages
Photo courtesy of CDTC
Photo courtesy of CDTC
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Why is this Important?

• Uncoordinated, site by site sprawl may be
  threatening regional quality of life.
• Loss of open space
• Increased traffic congestion
• Disinvestment in existing built-up areas,
  particularly in cities
• Need to think more regionally

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New Visions

• Originally Adopted in 1997
• Four years of extensive technical work and public
  outreach
• Updated twice
• Next Generation of Plan (being actively pursued)
  to be called New Visions 2030

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The principles, strategies and general budgetary
approach are still in place!! No need for
drastic changes in philosophy
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CDTCs New Visions Principles

• 25 Adopted Principles
• Preserve and Manage the System
• Develop the Regions Potential
• Link Transportation and Land Use
• Plan and Build for All Modes
• Key Implementation Strategy
• Pro-actively Plan Vibrant Communities

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Implementing the Strategy

• Consensus on New Visions
• Opportunity to influence land development at the
  local level
• Incentives
• Community and Transportation Linkage Planning
  Program

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Linkage Program

• Convert the promise of sound land use planning
  into reality
• Good site and community design can help realize
  the regions potential and transportation actions
  will play a role

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Core Linkage Strategies

• Support Urban Revitalization
• Improve Street Connectivity
• Enhance/Develop Activity Centers and Town Centers
• Enhance/Support Transit Corridors and Transit
  Supportive Built Environments
• Encourage Mixed Uses
• Create an Integrated Multi-modal Transportation
  Network
• Support Pedestrian Connectivity

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Linkage Program Overview

• Funding and Technical Assistance for Community
  Planning
• Annual solicitation (300,000 FHWA PL)
• 200,000 for consultant activities
• 100,000 for staff technical assistance
• Federal funds capped at 50,000 per study
• Requires 25 local cash match
• Pooling of resources is permitted

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Linkage Program To Date

• 50 studies
• 28 municipalities
• Public and non-profit sponsors
• Inter-municipal efforts are encouraged
• Over 3.0 M in federal, state and local funds
  committed since 2000

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Hoosick Street Corridor Study - Troy, NY
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Hoosick Falls Parking and Pedestrian Plan
Hoosick Falls, NY
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Freemans Bridge Road Master Plan Glenville, NY
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Urban Bike Route Master Plan Schenectady, NY
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Linkage Products

• Conceptual Plans (No Detailed Designs)
• Study Recommendations
• Changes to plans, zoning, regulation
• Transportation Project Candidates
• through CDTC, NYSDOT, CDTA
• by municipality
• by developer

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Unique Aspects

• Requires local coordination with regional
  strategies makes New Visions relevant to those
  at the local level
• More than transportation
• High level of public involvement
• Commitment of roughly ¼ of MPO planning

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Unique Aspects

• Not Grants!!
• High degree of collaboration with state, regional
  and local interests
• CDTC staff participates directly
• MOUs
• Linkage Regional Coordination Forum

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Unique Aspects

• Request for Expressions of Interest
• Scope developed up front
• Consultant response limited
• Letter of interest
• Price proposal, staff plan
• Canned material
• Fair Access policy
• CDTC holds consultant contract

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Linkage Program Impact

• Jump started pro-active planning
• Planning without growth
• If slow growth history changes, communities will
  be ready
• Model program

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Thank You!

• For more information, visit www.cdtcmpo.org
• Or contact
• Sandy Misiewicz, AICP
• smisiewicz_at_cdtcmpo.org
• Phone [phone]