This is an interesting bill, in that it directs the state transportation commission to allocate billions in transportation funds to change land use patterns, towards a sustainable communities strategy. Transit oriented development might finally have a fighting chance against the dominate stakeholders in opposition to this bill; the Building Industry Association, the Asphalt Pavement Association, Associated General Contractors...you get the idea.
The point is, we are going to face the Legions of the Armageddon before we adopt correct land use patterns. We've got entrenched, powerful Associations that intend on keeping suburban sprawl going, even considering that:
- TOD communities are among the most desirable, sough after places to live;
- 2/3rds of this state wants us to take decisive action to reduce GHGs;
- GHGs and land use are inexorably linked;
- Sprawl doesn't survive a $5+ dollar gas paradigm...and it's likely coming sooner than later.
On the other hand, the gov'na raves about the billions spent on the state's highway system to reduce congestion --that is, letting the state pay for the roads and infrastructure to link up the vast expanses of Association-supported tract-home developments that lack employment centers, schools and services.
What will the 'green' gov'na do?
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