Wasatch Front Regional Planning Grant Wilf Sommerkorn Planning Director Salt Lake City
Jan 21, 2015
Wasatch FrontRegional Planning Grant
Wilf SommerkornPlanning Director
Salt Lake City
Challenge: Maintaining high quality of life with huge population growth
65% increase by 2040 (1.4 Million new residents)
2010 20400
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
4,000,000
2010 20400
10,000,000
20,000,000
30,000,000
40,000,000
50,000,000
60,000,000
70,000,000
80,000,000
90,000,000
100,000,000
WFRC and MAG
49 Million
90 Million
Traffic Congestion…Miles driven daily will almost double by 2040
“Business as usual”
=Congestion
You can’t build your way out of
congestion
Envision UtahQuality Growth Strategy
Wasatch Choice for 2040 Process
The Wasatch Choice for 2040:Regional Vision for Land Use and Transportation
There is a Better Way to Grow…
Growth in Centers responds to market demand
Demographic trends: First wave of baby boomers will be 65 in 2011 Largest number of millenials reaches 22 in 2012
One-third of future households will prefer to live in new “walkable” developments: smaller homes, townhomes, condos, with access to transit, jobs and amenities. We are far short of meeting this demand.
The Vision puts more new homes and jobs in walkable developments near transit stations. This preserves the character of existing suburban neighborhoods.
Envision Utah Quality Growth Strategy; 1999
Saves 17% or $4.5 billion over 20 years
$21.5 billion
$26 billion
Lower Taxes:Infrastructure savings in the billions
Enhanced Mobility and Economic GrowthThe Vision reduces traffic congestion by 18%
Less driving and more transportation choices will lead to cleaner air
Better Air Quality
Implementing the Wasatch Choice for 2040?
Lead Members andInstitutional Operations
Capital Participants
Consortium Participants
Group I
Group II
Group III
and more…
1) Develop dynamic computer-based planning tools
2) Create housing choices3) Study and create scenarios for six diverse
sites4) Implement Regional Transportation Plan5) Identify barriers and develop a Financial
Toolbox6) Create innovative zoning techniques7) Institute an outreach program for
stakeholders
Programs
Utah’s First Regional Housing Analysis
Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah
Help communities make individual decisions
Tools for decision-making: The “Envision Tomorrow +” Model (ET+)
Scenario Development Evaluation
Transportation EffectsBuilding Energy ConsumptionWater ConsumptionAir QualityReturn on InvestmentTax CollectionsFiscal ImpactPublic HealthEmployment GrowthDevelopment CapitalTransportation SafetyWorkforce HousingPublic Assets
Regional Collaborati
on
Local Implementation
2040 Regional Transportation Plan
Roads: capacity, safety and maintenance
Transit: comprehensive system of commuter rail, light rail, streetcar, bus rapid transit, bus
Active: Bike and pedestrian
Housing :
•- Choices•- Market driven
1) Educating the public2) Helping to identify stakeholders3) Forging relationships with stakeholders4) Creating development scenarios with ET+5) Analyzing development scenarios 6) Suggesting zoning techniques for
adoption7) Assisting with identifying financing
opportunities & strategies
Consortium supports the local process
Urban Example:
Salt Lake City Intermodal Huband Downtown Streetcar
Downtown connection to regional transit
Infill planning and revitalization