Sound Transit’s Transit-Oriented Development Toolkit Snohomish County, Washington

The Sound Transit, Transportation-Oriented Development (TOD) Toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to support the creation of multimodal, mixed-use communities centered around expanding public transit in Northwest Washington. Developed to encourage transit ridership, strengthen community vitality, and support economic growth, the Toolkit provides clear policies and regulatory guidance for comprehensive planning in local jurisdictions along the Everett Link Extension light rail corridor. In developing this document, Otak worked alongside Kimley-Horn, Mithun, and EnviroIssues to align community priorities with practical strategies, ensuring recommendations reflected both local values and real‑world feasibility.

Planning and Design Guidance for Growing Transit-Oriented Communities

Adding fast, reliable light rail and bus rapid transit in the region, plans for the Everett Link Extension by Sound Transit and Community Transit would also create opportunities for growth of vibrant communities near transit stations. The TOD Toolkit (see here) includes guidance on urban design and placekeeping, land use and built form, multimodal streets, as well as resilient infrastructure and green buildings. It goes on to cover implementing regulations around those areas that can be integrated into local codes. Multiple workshops with the Model Code Partnership—a collective of representatives from Sound Transit, Snohomish County, City of Everett, City of Lynnwood, Puget Sound Regional Council, and other supporters—were facilitated to create consensus across community stakeholders. The toolkit is heavily illustrated and presents best practices, recommendations, potential policies, design concepts, and regulatory language to be considered for local adoption. From urban design and land use, to stormwater infrastructure and affordable housing, the Toolkit establishes a vision for placemaking and placekeeping while providing regulatory language for effective implementation and local adoption. Design concepts illustrate a variety of approaches for maximizing the value of new spaces while creating cohesive environments. Altogether, the toolkit supports continued smart growth and infrastructure investments, enhanced community vitality and health, and strengthened multimodal connections.