Governor Kaine Announces Regulation Formalizing VDOT Role in Reviewing Traffic Impact of Local Land Use Proposals
Governor Kaine Announces Regulation Formalizing VDOT Role in Reviewing Traffic Impact of Local Land Use Proposals
- Builds on Governor's goal of better linking land-use and transportation -
Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the publication of a final traffic impact analysis regulation that will improve the coordination between transportation and land-use planning throughout the Commonwealth. The regulation is a result of legislation championed by Governor Kaine and unanimously approved by the 2006 General Assembly.
The regulation establishes statewide standards to ensure that a traffic impact analysis is performed when land use decisions with potentially significant impacts on the state-controlled transportation network are being considered by local governments. It also formalizes the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) role in working with localities to analyze regional traffic impacts as local officials consider land use proposals.
"Improving the link between land-use and transportation decisions is a critical priority as we continue to work on Virginia's transportation challenges," said Governor Kaine. "The intent of this regulation is to establish an important foundation to ensure that more basic, credible information is made available to our citizens and policymakers so they can make more informed decisions."
The regulation was developed with significant input from an advisory committee comprised of representatives from local governments and other stakeholder groups. Public comments were solicited through the Regulatory Town Hall and public hearings. VDOT also held a peer review with six other states in which similar reviews are currently performed.
"This important initiative should help local leaders to make sound land use decisions," said Mike Edwards of the Virginia Association of Counties. "VACo appreciated helping to develop the law and regulation and looks forward to working with the Governor, General Assembly and VDOT to ensure successful implementation."
An extensive program of outreach and training for state, local and industry stakeholders will begin next spring, and VDOT will implement the regulation on a phased basis beginning next July. Full implementation of the regulation will occur over the course of the next two years. In the interim, VDOT will continue to solicit feedback from members of the advisory committee, the private sector, and local governments.
"A great deal of difficult work remains," said Assistant Secretary of Transportation Jimmy Carr, who led the advisory panel. "Successful implementation of this process will require good-faith and collaboration between VDOT, localities, and private sector stakeholders."
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=317