4.1.4 Using Land Use Policy to Diminish Vehicle Miles Traveled

LPDD Recommendation: “Localities should alter or eliminate sprawl-inducing zoning provisions, such as minimum lot and house sizes, setback requirements, and the strict separation of certain land uses. Localities should also review parking requirements that subsidize driving by mandating excessive amounts of free parking.”

LPDD Recommendation: “Localities should adopt measures to promote infill development, renovation of existing buildings, and the redevelopment of declining or abandoned commercial areas. These measures include offering loans, rehabilitation tax credits, and expedited approval processes, revamping zoning and building code requirements, and investing in infrastructure.”

LPDD Recommendation: “Federal and state laws should be revised to foster infill, renovation, and redevelopment through measures such as rehabilitation tax credits, funding technical assistance, and by directing infrastructure spending to existing communities.”

LPDD Recommendation: “Localities should increase permissible density, streamline project approval, and reduce parking requirements for transit-oriented development.”

Oakland Home Occupation Zoning

Oakland’s Planning Code allows both live/work and work/live units, depending on whether the primary use is residential or nonresidential. These units are permitted within the mixed-use districts and must meet certain criteria.

Portland’s Walkable Communities Initiatives

Portland’s efforts to coordinate transportation investments and land use policies has resulted in a range of travel options, a revitalized downtown, and walkable, transit-oriented communities.

Minneapolis 2040 Plan

Will upzone nearly the entire city, allowing taller buildings with more units, eliminate off-street parking requirements throughout the city, and sets a goal to reduce VMT by 40%.

Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance

Charlotte is implementing a long-range plan that includes investing in light rail and bus rapid transit projects in five corridors, revising local land use provisions to guide growth, and providing incentives for transit-oriented development.

Urban Land Institute Reports: Growing Cooler, Moving Cooler

Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, concluding that more compact development can decrease driving rates 20% to 40%; and Moving Cooler, which surveyed sources of potential GHG reduction from transportation.