Transit easements. They aren\u2019t the most exciting thing in the world, but they are emerging as part of Raleigh\u2019s plans to become a multimodal city.<\/p>\n
Transit easements allow transit systems, such as Capital Area Transit, to use private property as a bus stop or bus corridor. For example, bus service through Crabtree Valley Mall is provided by a transit easement.<\/p>\n
Members of the City Planning department now ask developers for a transit easement when they come in to rezone their properties.<\/p>\n
The key word is \u201cask.\u201d<\/p>\n
When a property owner wants to rezone his property, there are often conditions attached. These conditions could be anything, but often they limit height or certain uses. For example, a rezoning application could add that as a condition of approval, there won\u2019t be any drive-thru businesses.<\/p>\n
These conditions often include a transit easement for future bus service.<\/p>\n
Transportation Planning Manager Eric Lamb said the city can only suggest or recommend conditions. City planning staff can suggest that a developer include a transit easement, but they can\u2019t mandate it.<\/p>\n
Transit easements are frequently suggested for developments that have future or expected use and are near other transit stops. While there might not be a bus stop there now, it provides the city the flexibility it will need as the transit system grows.<\/p>\n
A recent case coming through Planning Commission is a project on Spring Forest Road, which includes some residential development on a neighboring property. In this case, there is an existing bus stop a little more than a quarter of a mile away.<\/p>\n
Because the project is expected to have residential development, and the nearest bus stop is more than a quarter of a mile away, Commissioner Adam Terando asked that developer to include a transit easement.<\/p>\n
In this particular case, the developer didn\u2019t include an easement because he believed there is a conflict with another part of the zoning code that pertains to tree conservation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to start thinking of transit on equal footing,\u201d to other kinds of transportation, Terando told the Record.<\/p>\n
He said that nine times out of 10, developers include easements without any questions or conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish that we could ask more of the development community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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