2013/05/15 Council Agenda Packet

y 1 E e -' The GrowingTransit Communities Strategy 1 , Frequently Asked Questions ,ic_ -6,01 What is the Growing Transit Communities Partnership? The Growing Transit Communities Partnership is an advisory body of diverse public, private, and nonprofit agencies and organizations working togetherto promote successful transit communities.The Partnership is funded by a three- year grant from the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities and is housed at the Puget Sound Regional Council. The Partnership is developing recommendations for best practices and new tools and resources to address three overarching goals that advance adopted regional policy: • Attract more of the region's residential and employment growth near high-capacity transit • Provide housing choices affordable to a full range of incomes near high-capacity transit • Increase access to opportunity for existing and future community members in transit communities Why equitable transit communities? Building communities around high-capacity transit is a key strategy to promote a more sustainable, prosperous, and equitable central Puget Sound region. However, if current trends in residential and commercial development continue, the region will fall short of its goals to grow vibrant mixed-use centers. If growth does not address the needs of households and small businesses for affordable housing and commercial space, they will be displaced and excluded from the benefits of regional investment. If public improvements in transit communities do not make employment, education, healthy neighborhoods, and other opportunities more accessible to all households regardless of race, income,or national origin,then the region will have lost a chance for a more equitable future. Why a coordinated regional effort? While the region is already a recognized national leader on planning for sustainable development, the ongoing investment of more than$15 billion in light rail and other forms of transit requires bold, coordinated action to ensure the greatest value from these investments is realized. Success means creating a region that can compete globally for jobs and investment, and is well positioned to attract scarce state and federal funds for transportation and community development.Success also means providing the tools, resources,and public support necessary to achieve a regional vision where compact growth, improved transit connections, and a range of community investments provide benefits fairly to all. What is the Growing Transit Communities Strategy?How will it be implemented? The Growing Transit Communities Strategy is a three-part implementation plan to promote thriving and equitable transit communities in the central Puget Sound region. !, z` ' The Regional Compact affirms support for the Partnership's work and a commitment to ` ,, x: .r,, work toward regional goals by implementing the Strategy. The Compact calls for a -ti'sib ' W ittt..�_ continuing regional effort involving the region's diverse partners.The Compact does not obligate partners to implement all recommendations, but rather to consider and adopt tools that fit best with community needs and available resources. THE PLAYBOOK: The Recommended Strategies and Actions include 24 detailed recommendations that iitzinmeatanonsaTypokgy identify actions for public, private, and nonprofit partners. The strategies identify effective transit community development approaches,shaped by input from experts and the Partnership's corridor task forces and advisory committees. The strategies vary for different types of communities. ',,,'"1,- :OiJ° ANS,' The Individual Workplans are local government, agency, or organization specific work *y'-',,, -, plans which define short- and medium-term actions that can implement the Strategy. The nature and format of the Workplans will vary to reflect the diversity of public and private partners,legislative and decision making processes,and actions adopted. 2