TOD Web Applications
The Development Trends Along Transit (DTAT) application was created by the Metro Transit TOD Office to showcase the DTAT data in relation to existing and planned high frequency transit facilities across the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area of Minnesota. This app provides transparent public access to the same data processed for the annual DTAT Report.
Search, view, analyze, and share publicly-owned parcel data across portions of the Twin Cities seven-county metro area. Users can also view publicly-owned parcels in relation to Metro Transit facilities.
Recent TOD studies
Development Trends Along Transit - 2024
The success of a region depends in part on the quality of its connections. Together, robust high frequency transit and Transit Oriented Development efficiently tie housing, jobs, shopping, and more. Recognizing this, the TOD office studied the patterns of permitted and planned developments in the Twin Cities, with a focus on those developments along high frequency transit.
In the 14 years between 2009 and 2023, permits have been issued for over $49.9 billion throughout the region. This includes projects that have been completed since being permitted, and ongoing projects. Developments located near high frequency transit have been permitted for just over $19 billion. Of that $19 billion, $12.8 billion is located within one half mile of a light rail transit (LRT) station, $9 billion is located within a half mile of a bus rapid transit (BRT) station, and $3.3 billion is served by high frequency local bus routes outside areas with direct LRT or BRT service. All told, the permitted value of development within transit corridors represents 38.4% of the development that has been permitted for the region, on just 3.4% of the region’s land area.
This report reveals that $19 billion in development has been permitted along high frequency transit between 2009 and 2023, including:
- 44% of the region’s multifamily development by permit value
- 44% of the region’s commercial development
- 31% of the region’s public and institutional development
- 5% of the region’s industrial development
The Council also tracks regional development news, identifying potential future developments through media coverage and other sources. Based on this tracking, 68% of the planned developments are anticipated to be near high frequency transit.
View the full report here.
Property Value Tax Analysis
In 2023, the TOD office also began an analysis of property tax values near high frequency transitways in the region. This analysis was shared with the Metropolitan Council (view meeting video here) and will be shared through a web application, currently under development.
The property tax value analysis found that parcels near high frequency transit account for just 2% of the taxable parcels in the region but generate over 25% of the region’s property tax revenue. Tax revenue from properties within ¼ mile of transit increased much faster than properties further from transit and this increase is heavily driven be new infill development.
The following exhibits show 3D mapping of property tax values over time near different transit lines. Simply scroll through the documents to see property tax value over time.
- Property Tax per Acre 2006-2023
Transit-Oriented Development and Zoning in Cities with High-Frequency Transit
Building on the 2021 Comprehensive Land Use Planning in High Frequency Transit Corridors report, this study explores the relationship between transit oriented development (TOD) and zoning codes in 20 cities with high frequency transit lines in the Twin Cities region. First, this analysis compares the planned density along high frequency transit lines with the actual current zoning codes of each city. Differences in zoning codes are compared to levels of qualifying transit oriented development to better understand the impact of zoning on TOD. Finally, the study brings together this analysis with interviews with city planners and developers actively working on TOD in the region, discussing the challenges of building TOD, and contextualizing zoning as a piece of the puzzle.
View the full report
Land Value Tax Report - 2021
A bill (HF 338) under consideration by the Minnesota Legislature would permit Minnesota cities to establish land value tax districts. The bill would allow cities to shift property taxes from improvements (buildings) to land while maintaining tax revenue from the subject district. This white paper summarizes the anticipated impacts of a land value tax and examines local case studies utilizing sample districts in transit served areas in Minneapolis, Hopkins, Brooklyn Center, Coon Rapids, Maplewood, Woodbury, Cottage Grove and Cedar Grove.
In each of these case studies, the land value tax was implemented using the methodology proposed by the Minnesota legislature. We made the following observations from these case studies:
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A land value tax would incentivize a more productive use of vacant and under-developed parcels.
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Taxes increase most on underutilized parcels.
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Taxes decrease most on parcels with a high ratio of building value to total value (total value = land value + building value).
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A land value tax encourages a more efficient use of public infrastructure investments.
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Land value is highest near high quality public infrastructure and amenities.
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The land value tax could improve equity.
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In Case Study #1, property taxes generally decrease in areas of concentrated poverty.
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The land value tax paired with the Minneapolis affordable housing policy could have the effect of encouraging the development of new affordable housing.
View the full report