Planning for Transportation and
Climate Change:
Model Ordinances, Incentives,
and Other Resources
MARCH 2014
Planning for Transportation and Climate Change:
Model Ordinances, Incentives, and Other Resources
MARCH 2014
Jayme Breschard Thomann, AICP, CFM
Senior Planner/Project Manager
David Zorn, Executive Director
Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
50 West Main Street • Suite 8107
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 454-0190
Table of Contents
I. Executive Summary …………………………………..........………...……...1
II. Introduction ……………………………………………….....................…...3
III. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plans
Transportation Sector ………………………………………………….………7
IV. Model Ordinances ………………………………………………………..11
To address the symptoms of climate change (adaptation)
Adaptation for Increased Precipitation Hazards …………………….…….….15
Transit Supportive Zoning ……………………………………………………23
Higher Regulatory Standards for Floodplain Development ………………….39
Building Codes and Resilient Design …………………………………….…..49
Setbacks/Buffers ………………………………………………………..…….55
Subdivisions and Cluster Development ………………………………………82
Adaptation for Great Lakes Coastal Storm Hazards ………………………...101
Miscellaneous ……………………………………………………………….128
Model Ordinances …………………………………………………………..147
To address the transportation policies, services, and programs
that can reduce GHG (mitigation)
Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards ……………………………...…….151
Vehicle Acquisition ……………………………………...………………….164
Idle Reduction ………………………………………………………………168
Increasing the Infrastructure for Renewable Fuels …….……………………171
Parking Requirements ……………………………………...………………..173
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructur……………………………………...181
Transit, Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities …………………………..……….187
Complete Streets …………………………………....………………………..213
Adequate Public Facilities ……………………………………………….…..225
Travel Demand Management ……………………………………..……….....232
Lighting Standards ……………………………………………..……………..245
Transportation-Related Green Building ………………………………………248
iii
V. Model Incentives …………………………………………………………...257
To address the symptoms of climate change (adaptation)
Adaptation for Increased Precipitation Hazards ……………………...………..259
Transit Supportive Zoning …………………………………………….……….264
Subdivisions and Cluster Development ……………………………………….267
Adaptation for Great Lakes Coastal Storm Hazards …………………………...275
Model Incentives ……………………………………………………………….279
To address the transportation policies, services, and programs
that can reduce GHG (mitigation)
Alternative Fuel Vehicles ………………………………………………………281
Parking Strategies …………………………………………….…………….......284
Transit, Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities ………………………………………288
Transportation-Related Green Building ..…………………………………….…289
VI. Modified Model Ordinance ……………………..…………………………..291
VII. Conclusion …………………………………………………..…….………..297
Bibliography ………………………………………………………....…………..299
VII. Conclusion
Local governments in New York State can be at the forefront of responding to climate change due to their authority for managing land resources and the built environment. A proactive response to climate change involves planning for and mitigating the negative consequences of GHG emissions from transportation sources. By engaging in proactive planning, such as land use strategies, local governments can facilitate the use of non-structural solutions to protect against risks. But they face tough legal and policy questions when developing plans and carrying out implementation actions, such as amending zoning and subdivision ordinances. In order to implement these measures, local governments must navigate overlapping and sometimes conflicting state and federal laws. In addition to legal barriers, local governments face tough policy questions when deciding on the best options for their community. Communities must consider the economic and political feasibility of implementing new or updated regulations, in addition to the administrative and technical capacity of their staff. Fortunately, local governments already use a multitude of tools to manage development in their communities. These tools have been used to effectively address other land use concerns, such as sign control and open space protection.
Incorporating climate change adaptation and mitigation into planning documents such as comprehensive, transportation, and hazard mitigation plans is an essential first step for nearly all local governments to ensure storm surge, flooding, erosion, and other climate-induced risks are considered now and into the future. The budgets for such plans are usually in place, as municipalities prepare and update these documents. Simple measures to incorporate climate change are very cost-effective when led by municipal staff or citizen volunteers, but more sophisticated planning requires funding, technical assistance, and various partnerships. Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC) provides hazard mitigation planning to the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, which encourages municipalities to take proactive measures in reducing hazard exposure and vulnerability.
Laws and planning tools that enforce shoreline setbacks, infrastructure requirements, or cluster development can be considered no-cost or very low cost. But while codes and laws are essential adaptation and mitigation tools, they are prospective and do not completely solve the problem. Of equal importance and value is community outreach and engagement. The educational process is essential; both to build support for enforcing new regulations and codes and to build awareness for the actions residents can take to reduce their climate-related risks.
Numerous tools already exist to assist local governments in responding to climate-induced risks such as increased precipitation and flooding. Other resources support development patterns that minimize the emission of greenhouse gases. For example, Genesee Transportation Council’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language identifies examples of noteworthy zoning code and site planning language and guidance that enhances accessibility and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. Various publications, toolkits, and websites also describe a broad range of legal, policy, and regulatory tools on how to increase the use of low GHG fuels, improve vehicle technologies, and reduce the number of VMT. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency devotes many online resources to “Transportation and Air Quality.”
Planning for Transportation and Climate Change offers a menu of model ordinances that address both climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Although some adaptation and mitigation strategies do not require extensive modeled data, many municipalities are constrained by a lack of climate information. For example, all communities need accurate flood maps provided by FEMA. Additional information and data will help communities adopt and implement adaptation and mitigation tools.
While sustainable transportation planning is nearly always a voluntary endeavor, communities have it within their reach to make it a reality. Local tools, from using transfer of development rights and the dedication of vulnerable areas as open-space and flood buffers to set-back development from a shoreline, are within the capacity and grasp of almost every municipality in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. Wider adoption of these local initiatives, with support from state and federal government and other partners, can provide for a more resilient and sustainable future.
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