Sponsor
Alderman Helding
Title
Support of the Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee (KRM) Commuter Link Station Area Planning Program in Racine, Wisconsin
Whereas, the Counties and Cities of Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, are sponsoring a Transit Alternatives Analysis Corridor Study/Draft Environmental Impact Study for enhanced public transit service; and
Whereas, the project purpose and need is to provide high quality transit service connecting Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee Counties (KRM) with each other and with Northeastern Illinois thereby improving access to jobs and labor force, encouraging high density mixed use and more efficient land development around stations, and attracting increased transit ridership potentially reducing highway traffic volumes and congestion and attendant air pollutant emissions; and
Whereas, the KRM project seeks to meet the requirements of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) New Starts program in order for the project to be eligible for discretionary capital funding; and
Whereas, among other criteria, the FTA places importance on transit supportive land-use planning and development in transit station areas, as a means of building ridership to support proposed projects; and
Whereas, preliminary station area development plans for the Racine commuter rail station on the Union Pacific Railroad line at State Street have been developed and included as part of the KRM Commuter Link Transit Supportive Land-Use Plans and Policies Portfolio; and
Whereas, the City of Racine has reviewed the preliminary transit supportive land use plans and policies.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of Racine, that the City of Racine will benefit from the proposed expanded transit service connecting Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Racine Counties with each other and with Northeastern Illinois and also from the transit oriented development around its proposed commuter rail station.
Further resolved, that the station area plan developed as part of the KRM Commuter Link study for the City of Racine and included in the Transit Supportive Land-Use Plans and Policies Portfolio is consistent with the goals and objectives of the City of Racine's land use and comprehensive plans.
Further Resolved, that the City of Racine endorses the station area plan and policies and will take appropriate steps toward implementation as recommended as part of the Transit Supportive Land-Use Plans and Policies Portfolio if commuter rail is chosen for implementation.
Further Resolved, that the City of Racine urges FTA acceptance and endorsement of the complete KRM Commuter Link Transit Supportive Land-Use Plans and Policies Portfolio.
Fiscal Note: N/A