The purpose of a Transit Oriented Development District (TOD) is to encourage pedestrian oriented design, promote development and protect the public health, safety, and welfare by preserving the unique character of existing areas for future use and development. The TOD encourages compact, mixed use development near transit stops. Carefully planned mixed uses, including neighborhood oriented commercial and restaurant space, provide increased opportunities for transit and pedestrian activity. It is established to preserve and encourage the pedestrian character of commercial areas and to promote street life and activity by regulating building orientation and design and accessory parking facilities while prohibiting certain high impact and automobile oriented uses. A TOD is facilitated by site and community design standards that:
A. Encourage high quality, compact development and increase the number of residents and workers within walking distance of transit opportunities.
B. Encourage a mix of high quality residential, office, commercial, live-work, open space, entertainment, recreation, public and institutional land uses.
C. Revitalize areas proximate to transit stations.
D. Improve the urban design in the area.
E. Encourage active community life within a framework of attractive and welcoming buildings and usable open spaces.
F. Coordinate the urban design and streetscape elements in order to create a distinct visual quality for the area.
G. Manage parking and access in a manner that enhances pedestrian safety, pedestrian mobility, and quality urban design.
H. Efficiently use public and private resources by reducing parking requirements for development in close proximity to a transit stop.
I. Provide incentives for structured parking, new roads, and public open spaces to enhance the design and function of the built environment.
J. Encourage a safe, attractive, and comfortable environment for the pedestrian and bicyclist by providing public open spaces, public pedestrian walkways, wide sidewalks, bike lanes, street furniture, pedestrian scale lighting, street trees and other appropriate amenities. (Ord. 21-21: Ord. 07-36 § 2)