Transportation/Land Use Connection

The linkage between transportation systems and land use and development was a critical consideration in the development of transportation strategies. This linkage is crucial to planning and implementing a transportation system that efficiently and safely serves the region’s wide range of activities and uses. The transportation system must adequately serve all areas within Keene, now and in the future.

As land development decisions are made, there must also be consideration of the appropriate type and the extent of transportation improvements. Conversely, during the planning of transportation projects, especially in areas with relatively little current access, decision-makers must account for the land-use impacts of the additional accessibility. Revision of the city’s land-use regulations should include alternative-transportation design requirements that will support the community’s goal to create a walkable, bikeable community.

Potential Transportation Planning and Analysis Tools

• Develop new analytical standards and requirements that focus on “person trips,” not vehicle trips, for proposed developments.
• Require review of pedestrian, bicycle, public transportation and parking impacts of all new development.
• Identify mode-share goals by use and/or district, and require proposals to demonstrate how to achieve them.
• Develop parameters to allow level of service (LOS) to degrade within certain conditions for projects in compliance with overall community goals. Allow contributions to “systemwide” improvements in lieu of project specific mitigation.
• Consider a fee for curb cuts that result in the loss of on-street parking spaces in order to promote consolidation of curb cuts among developments.
• Alter parking requirements to establish ranges, or parking maximums.
• Include bicycle parking requirements for all developments.