Will Indianapolis Rezone to a Less Car-Centric Future?

"Could a simple tweak in zoning rules nudge city-dwellers toward buses, bicycles, car shares and other energy-saving means of transportation?" writes John Tuohy, transportation reporter for The Indianapolis Star. These "tweaks" are "included in the recent overhaul of the county's 1969 zoning code, called Indy Rezone, which is moving toward final adoption by the City-County Council."

[Indianapolis city planners] are offering developers huge savings — tens of thousands of dollars on large projects — by reducing the required number of parking spaces for some developments if bike racks, electric-car charging stations or other "green" amenities are offered instead.

A major goal of the zoning rewrite is to improve walkability and transportation options in the city and increase greenspace. 

It's similar to plans in other cities and dovetails with many initiatives of Republican Mayor Greg Ballard, such as the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare, expansion of trails system, the BlueIndy car share [more on that program below] and the bus rapid transit plan.

It's not as bold as seen in other cities, namely Seattle and Minneapolis which may require "parking minimum" reductions for eligible developments, although this Portland survey revealed tenants brought their cars even if no space was provided.

"Drive, drive, drive has been the Central Indiana paradigm for years and many developers still have that mentality," said Tammara Tracy, principal city planner. "We are trying to ease them into the new urban model with carrots."

Historically, the Circle City been one of the most drive-centric in the nation. The U.S. Census Bureau's most recent survey of commuters found that just 1 percent of Indianapolis residents take public transportation to work, compared to 11.5 percent in Chicago, 3.8 percent in Cleveland and 2.4 percent in Louisville.

John Tuohy also reports on a controversy regarding one of those "green amenities", electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, championed by Mayor Ballard. "(S)mall business owners...say the stations — dedicated mostly to the BlueIndy electric car-share vehicles — are gobbling precious parking spots in premium locations and could cost them customers."

The dispute is one of several signs of growing tensions over the BlueIndy electric car-sharing program, one of Republican mayor' major initiatives to make the city more “green” and position it as a leader in alternative transportation. When the program is at full strength, BlueIndy will have 500 electric rental cars perched at 200 locations, each with five chargers.

The feud puts traditional politics on its head when it comes to the environment. Backing the removal of five BlueIndy demonstration cars from a controversial location is Democratic Councilman Zach Adamson. Who said "all politics is local"?