Transit-Oriented Communities Policy
Climate Action Subcommittee
February 4, 2026
Planning & Economic Development Amy Nicholson, Supervising Planner 1 Transit Oriented Communities Policy
• Adopted by MTC in 2022 to support transit investment and create equitable, Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)
• Future One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) funding cycles to prioritize jurisdictions compliant with TOC Policy
• OBAG directs federal transportation funds to projects advancing safety, economic development, climate, and focused-growth goals • City received $13M in OBAG 3 - must show compliance before OBAG 4 (expected 2027)
TOC: North Station Area
2 ½ mile buffer
around SMART
Station
Graphic from 2012 North Station Area Specific Plan drafted prior to construction of the SMART Station TOC: Downtown Station Area
3 ½ mile buffer
around SMART
Station
4 Background
Minimum residential and commercial office densities for new development
Policies for affordable housing and commercial stabilization Parking management
Transit station access and circulation
TOC Policy focuses on four core elements:
5 Relationship to Climate Goals
Reduces Transportation Emissions:
• Compact, Infill Development
• Land use & Transportation
• Low-Carbon Mobility
Helps achieve State & Regional Climate
Targets
Residential and Office Density
• North Santa Rosa Station Area
Specific Plan requires
amendments to meet TOC Policy
• $300,000 TOC grant will fund
consultant support to prepare
required amendments
• Downtown Station Area Specific
Plan complies with TOC Policy
6 7Affordable Housing and Commercial
Stabilization
Several existing City affordable housing policies meet TOC requirements
Additional policies must be updated or newly adopted
MTC providing technical assistance to support policy
development
Commercial stabilization policy met through existing program Parking Management
• Both TOC areas meet some parking
management requirements
• Parking Space Maximums &
Bicycle Space Minimums
required
• $150,000 TOC grant:
• Development of Transportation
Demand Management (TDM)
strategies
• Zoning Code revisions to parking
standards
8 Transit Station Access & Circulation
• City meets many of the TOC
requirements through the Active
Transportation Plan
• Staff collaborating on Mobility
Hub requirements for both TOC
areas:
• Wayfinding
• Connection to Bus Service
• Car & Bike Share
9 Questions?
Amy Nicholson, Supervising Planner
707.543.3258
[email protected]