2011 Index of Silicon Valley - Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Land Use
Progress toward denser, transit-oriented
development is receding.
PLACE
Residential Density
Average Units per Acre of Newly Approved Residential Development
Silicon Valley
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT
By directing growth to already developed areas, local jurisdictions can
reinvest in existing neighborhoods, use transportation systems
more efficiently, and preserve the character of adjacent rural
communities. Focusing new commercial and residential
developments near rail stations and major bus corridors reinforces
the creation of compact, walking distance, mixed-use communities
linked by transit. This helps to reduce traffic congestion on
freeways, preserve open space near urbanized areas, and improve
energy efficiency. By creating mixed-use communities, Silicon
Valley gives workers alternatives to driving and increases access
to workplaces.
In recent years, residents and businesses have become increasingly
interested in investing in renewable energy installations. The length
of a municipality’s required permitting process can pose significant
barriers especially to the widespread adoption of renewable energy
installations. We examine our region’s permitting requirements.
Average Dwelling Units per Acre
25
20
15
10
5
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Note: Beginning in 2008, the Land Use Survey expanded its geographic definition of Silicon Valley to include cities northward
along the U.S. 101 corridor (Brisbane, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno and South San Francisco)
Data Source: City Planning and Housing Departments of Silicon Valley
Analysis: Collaborative Economics
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
HOW ARE WE DOING
Increased residential density is a sign of reduced urban sprawl. For the
five-year period between 2005 and 2009, residential density
stabilized above 20 units per acre. In the most recent year,
residential density dropped from 20.6 units per acre to 16.2 units
per acre. Despite recent slippage, significant progress has been
made since 1998, when residential density of approved residential
units was 6.6 units per acre.
Residential and commercial development near public transit reduces
need for personal vehicles for transportation, decreasing road
congestion and harmful emissions. The share of housing units
approved to be built near mass transit decreased from 62 percent
in 2009 to 53 percent in 2010. Over the past four years, the
percentage of approved housing development within walking
distance of mass transit has remained above fifty percent.
Although net square feet of non-residential development near transit
decreased from 2009, for the second year in a row, non-residential
development near public transit was greater than non-residential
development beyond walking distance from public transit. Nearly
114,000 square feet of non-residential buildings was developed
in 2010.
The permitting time for renewable energy installations varies greatly
across cities and by installation type. Permitting times were
shortest for both solar systems and electric vehicle charging
stations. The average permitting times for each of these projects
were eleven and ten days respectively. Geothermal systems and
wind turbine projects required on average three weeks for
permitting. The longer time period is due to greater environmental
considerations associated with construction of these projects versus
solar or electrical vehicle systems. Twenty-nine percent of the cities
reported permitting times of a day or less for solar installations.
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