Our zoning code needs to address the unique opportunities and challenges in the areas around our train stations. Transit-oriented development could provide more destinations and housing options within walking distance of transit. It would promote a healthier lifestyle and allow us to reduce vehicle miles traveled (along with associated greenhouse gases and pollution). While some stations are already surrounding by vibrant walkable areas (such as Belmont Red Line and Damen Blue Line), many others are underdeveloped and surrounded by parking lots. The current zoning code also puts heavy restrictions on density around many of the stations, even though these areas would be most the appropriate for higher-density development.

Chicago currently has a Pedestrian Street designation in its zoning code that could be adapted for transit-oriented development.  This new designation could be applied to a radius (1/4 mile, 5-minute walk?) around all train stations in the city, much like the current zoning code provides for limited exceptions to the parking requirements in transit-served locations (defined as within 600 feet of CTA or METRA station). The Pedestrian Street designation has lower parking requirements, ensures fewer curb cuts interrupting the sidewalk, restricts strip malls, and ensures buildings abut the sidewalk with windows and doors instead of being set back behind parking. All of these requirements would also be appropriate for the areas around the stations. A transit-oriented development designation could also go a step further, allowing for an automatic increase in floor-area ratio and minimum lot area per unit within the existing allowable building height. This would enable developers to provide more diverse housing options near the stations as the market demands, including studios and one-bedrooms that may not be feasible under the existing code.