TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I want more Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in our major cities. In my area of Baltimore, existing public transportation is poorly accessible. For example, many Light Rail stops in Baltimore County are surrounded by parking lots, which means many of the commuters drive there and then take the train into the city. As for the reserve side of it, many low-income residents from the city who work in the County, take Light Rail and then have to walk up to a mile (sometimes more) to their employer - mostly retail work in shopping centers or industrial yards. I have been told that there are too many Light Rail stops unlike other major cities; therefore, a mass transit line would be the most efficient option. Sometimes it is easier to get from Hunt Valley to Linthicum by car than riding the Light Rail. It also bypasses Towson - a major employer.

MARC train service to DC is limited to rush hour and again, it is heavily car dependent. Baltimore County residents who work in DC have to drive on MD-43 and MD-150 to get to Martins State Airport MARC station. There is no mixed-use or TOD around there. I firmly believe the Hawthorne neighborhood could be transformed and redeveloped to serve such purpose. There could also be station infill in the Eastpoint neighborhood of Dundalk and McElderberry Park in the City. Baltimore's buses are overcrowded. Commutes that would take 30 minutes on DC’s Metro system, take 2 hours by bus. Many of the bus stops are not disability accessible and are located on roads without sidewalks. Communities have little put, as the state operates the transit system and not a regional authority. While I recognize that mass train lines are expensive, there is a stepping stone of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This is under construction in Montgomery County to connect the Briggs Chaney Park & Ride to Downtown Silver Spring. If successfully, it could mean future construction of a planned Metro Brown Line.

Major cities need to rethink their zoning and urban planning laws. Cities like San Diego are reducing the minimum parking requirements, which in return is spurring urban infill and multifamily housing - both rentals and condos. Some cities are taking the extra step of eliminating vehicle dependent establishments to stop pollution and return the streets to pedestrians. For example, Minneapolis in August passed a law banning the development of new drive-thru banks and fast food establishments. In October, New York City banned car travel on 14th Street and allowed for BRT. It would be nice to see more walkable major cities, like our European counterparts. I want to make sure city planners are properly educated on the consequences of stormwater runoff and its impacts. Many existing communities are seeing properties destroyed by flooding and in extreme cases, uninhabitable. Notably, Ellicott City in Howard County, Frederick Ave in Southeast Baltimore, and Wiltondale in Baltimore County. Native plants provide excellent stormwater reduction and our wetlands mitigate carbon emissions. We need to strongly value these ecosystem services. I also believe we are doing a poor job of explaining that lawns are impervious surface, which is not reducing stormwater runoff, and should stop being considered as an environmental easement.

I respect many communities have architectural and historic significances. I am sure certain houses on an ad hoc basis have critical local historic significances; however, city planners and community members need to acknowledge that once affordable houses are no longer affordable. Certain lands can be converted into public spaces will respecting the local history. The Blair family property in Silver Spring being converted to a park is a prime example. Family dynamics have changed, purposes of residential spaces have changed (e.g. cutting the lawn), and the need for disability accessible space. Single family housing zoning laws are displacing low-income residents by pushing them further from employment areas as these houses have skyrocketing rises in value. Low-income residents are burdened with psychological stresses of traffic; unable to be prompt for school and/or work resulting in poor academic performance and losing jobs, respectively; providing income for car payments and auto insurance; and maintaining code enforcement rules by purchasing and maintaining a lawn mower. All contribute to rising carbon emissions. Cities should look to DC’s inclusionary zoning laws that create an opportunity zone around the new Streetcar Line and prevents displacement of low-income individuals and families.

Furthermore, I believe cities need to be better connected with bullet trains as an alternative to air travel which produces a lot of carbon emissions. There is no excuse as to why I cannot travel from DC to Boston - and all the cities within the Northeast Megalopolis – in a timely manner and inexpensively. I do not want any city in our region to make the same mistakes like the state of California that is price gouging the construction expenses of the bullet train and affordable housing in Los Angeles from unnecessary and unethical consulting fees and contracting on behalf of the taxpayers.

This is a complete joke. We can’t afford to just get rid of our vehicles or be forced to drive less. Try getting your input for this stuff from the real people and not that stupid mindless governor. Think about us rural people who can’t afford to drive green or whatever your trying to accomplish. All your gonna do is make people wanna leave this state. Good job!

Tearing down habitats and woods just to bring power to Massachusetts I don’t think so it doesn’t benefit Mainers in any way shape or form
It benefits cmp and Janet mills not the Maine ppl
No no no and no!!!!!

I am disappointed to hear that the projected revenues from this program may be shifted to transportation infrastructure projects in the participating regions. The public already pay into a number of existing taxes, fees and tolls that were sold as a means of paying for infrastructure. Where those funds are short - the public and the public officials running their operations have a duty to address the concern through traditional appropriations means.

If this program is meant to address greenhouse gases, these revenues should be spent ONLY on programs which most directly concern the reduction of those emissions, their sequestration, or their offset.

I sincerely hope that a policy of ranked proposals is formalized and that expenditures are executed on a basis of maximizing GHG reductions with the funds raised therein.

Finally - please consider incentives to businesses and organizations which demonstrate carbon capture.

Thank you.

I am concerned about the cost of this initiative and would like to know the expected cost increase to a gallon of gasoline. I would also like to be informed of any future public meetings in NY regarding this issue.
Thank you.

We have just had the warmest decade since the collection of weather data began. The frequency and extent of fires across the globe has risen dramatically and storms and floods are also more severe. This is causing a refugee crisis as people are displaced from their homes or are no longer able to farm. Transportation is a major contributor to the carbon emissions that have caused this disaster. If we do not convert to low carbon emission modes of transportation, we will create a climate that does not support human life and will extinguish many of the species on earth. This reformation of transportation must occur immediately as we have yet to experience full the impact of the carbon emissions that are already present in the atmosphere, additional warming from the levels currently present will continue for many years hence. Our per capita consumption rate is 23 fold that of China. They are the highest carbon emitter and we are next. We must lead the way and dramatically reduce our per capita emissions and transportation is one of several areas that can achieve a substantial reduction.

Dear Governor Wolf-
I am writing this to express my full support for PA to join the other 11 states in our region in the Transportation Climate Initiative. I am hoping this strategic plan will not only help carbon emissions that is critically needed, but also invest in public transportation projects that can not only provide more access to transportation for those without adequate transportation, but also reduce pollution while further developing green technologies which can in turn provide PA with more investments and job creation.
Thank you for your consideration of this important initiative.
Sincerely,
Dr. Julie Engiles VMD, DACVP