By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The Zoning Board of Appeals heard last week about the town’s interest in a plan to increase “alternative” transportation options and shift people away from single-occupancy motor vehicles.
Economic Development Director Erin Kokinda wanted to measure the ZBA’s response to the plan, since it relates to simultaneous efforts to encourage multifamily housing around public transportation hubs. A new state law requires that MBTA communities have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right.
Kokinda displayed a PowerPoint presentation outlining a concept known as “Transportation Demand Management” or “TDM.” She said that TDM is defined as a “set of strategies aimed at maximizing traveler choices.”
She said that the ultimate goal of TDM is “to shift away from single occupancy vehicles and provide alternative modes of transportation including public transit, carpooling, van pooling, ride-sharing, walking and cycling.”
According to Kokinda, some of the benefits of TDM include conserving energy and reducing emissions, reduced wear and tear on roads and bridges, improving community health and fitness levels and “achieving equity.”
Enhanced quality of life in walkable, bikeable communities was cited as another benefit, along with solving parking problems, enhancing safety and making alternative transportation more affordable.
Kokinda noted that the ZBA has already been implementing some TDM practices, such as requiring the developer of 200 Quannapowitt Parkway to provide shuttle service to the train station and to the downtown. She said that the town has also been working with the Metropolitan Area Planning council on a bike/pedestrian plan to encourage more biking and walking.
Kokinda cited Cambridge and Watertown as communities that have implemented TDM practices and talked about how TDM could be applied to residential, industrial and commercial construction projects of various types and sizes in Wakefield.
She said that future TDM efforts in Wakefield could include: improving walking conditions with better sidewalks and streetscape improvements; providing more bicycle parking; bike-share programs, shuttle service; and subsidized MBTA passes.
Town Engineer Bill Renault noted that many of these TDM measures could be incorporated into requirements for private development projects that come before the ZBA and the Traffic Advisory Committee. The town would also need to develop a system to monitor and confirm that these programs remain in place.
ZBA member Chip Tarbell said that the only way that TDM would work was if more developments participate.
Board member Tom Lucey cautioned that it would also involve a lot of staff time for the town. If the town places more demands on developments, he said, developers will put more demands back on the town, insisting on more bike lanes and other infrastructure.
ZBA member Jim McBain said that some small developments could work together to the implement TDM practices.
Kokinda said that she would take the board’s feedback under advisement as she continues to look at implementing TDM practices in Wakefield.