City Looks to Support TOD along Green Line with Board Bill 13

Update as of July 15, 2024:  Board Bill 13 was perfected with a 14-0 vote on Friday, July 12, 2024. It will need one final reading prior to a final vote on potentially August 8th. 

The City of St. Louis and Bi-State Development are working to build a new Green Line that extends light rail service north and south of the existing MetroLink system within the City of St.  Louis. As a part of that work, the City of St. Louis Planning & Urban Design Agency (Agency) is looking at proposed modest changes to the Zoning Code for parcels near the proposed stations to realize the full benefits of Transit-Oriented Developments. The City of St. Louis Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee approved Board Bill 13 on July 2.  The bill is now scheduled for its second reading and potentially perfection at the full Board of Aldermen meeting tomorrow, July 12.  After second reading and perfection, it would need its third reading and final vote at a following meeting.

Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) are developments that utilize the benefits of transit access to create compact, mixed-use communities where residents/riders enjoy easy access to jobs and services throughout the community.  According to the Agency, the goal of these policy changes in the City would include:

• Help preserve and revitalize economically underinvested neighborhoods.
• Add diversity to the existing housing stock and increase the supply of affordable housing.
• Increase ridership of transit systems and reduce traffic congestion.
• Improve pedestrian opportunities and walkability.
• Improve air quality and reduce climate change-inducing greenhouse gasses; and
• Encourage public and private developments and public investment.

The proposed 5.6-mile Green Line extension could provide a new, high-quality transportation option for residents of St. Louis, catalyze investment in historically underserved neighborhoods, and help the region compete for new jobs and residents. The planned project travels along Natural Bridge Avenue, Parnell Street, and Jefferson Avenue from Fairground Park/Grand Ave. on the north to Chippewa Street on the south. The project’s route including 10 proposed stations was officially adopted by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments Board of Directors in February of 2024 as the “Locally Preferred Alternative.”

There are more than 400 acres of vacant property (both land and buildings) within a half-mile radius around the proposed 10 Green Line stations; over 70 acres are owned by the City’s Land Reutilization Authority (LRA). These vacant parcels are opportunities for housing, retail, office, services, and other transit-supportive uses. Small changes to the zoning code could reduce barriers to reusing vacant properties for transit-oriented development—housing, mixed-use, office, retail, grocery, and more. The proposed changes include a context-appropriate increase in density, and requiring slightly less parking, which will make it easier to provide a range of housing options, and build up the neighborhood density in a way that supports future transit access and ridership.

“We applaud the City of St.  Louis for proactively looking at ways to maximize the benefits of any transit expansion project within the City of St. Louis, but especially in light of this large-scale transit infrastructure project. The benefits of transit go far beyond the ride from point A to Point B, and laying the groundwork through policy changes to see increases in the development and economic impact benefits of transit definitely ensures this project is on track for success,” said Kimberly Cella, executive director of CMT.

Weigh in with Members of the Board of Aldermen Today: