Transit-oriented development in the Texas Triangle megaregion : an inventory of planning practices and infrastructure, and a synthesis of stakeholder perspectives

While most Texas Triangle planning agencies at the state, regional, and local level agree that transit-oriented development (TOD) would benefit their communities, less than ¼ report having even adopted a definition for TOD for their jurisdiction. As a result, most of the region’s 181 TOD-ready sites remain underdeveloped. Planning agencies need guidance in developing policies and guidelines that support the construction of quality TOD at rapid transit stations. This research set forth to inventory TOD in the Texas Triangle, as well as identify the reasons for successes and failures around the megaregion. Through desktop research, surveys, and interviews, this research found that public agencies crucially need guidance on new and useful Texas value capture mechanisms—especially TIRZs and TRZs—which could fund needed capital projects for station areas and for transit lines. Additionally, planning agencies need access to best practices for TOD-specific land development codes. Quality codes can both guide development to these sites and depoliticize the agonizing approval process reported by all parties for density-increasing TOD projects. Planners and developers were largely supportive of form-based codes which allow for higher densities and for developer flexibility, often identified as key to realizing progress at TOD sites. With an increase in quality partnerships and improvements in demonstrated public investment and TOD-specific development codes, TOD in the Texas Triangle holds tremendous yet-unrealized potential.Community and Regional Plannin