Standard Operating Agreement

Purpose:

To Provide a uniform and standard method for planning, implementing, and managing Utah Transit Authority (UTA) involvement in transit-oriented development (TOD) within the Wasatch Front Region, while focusing on the basic (fundamental) goals and objectives of UTA and the TOD Program. The Development Framework connects a series of more detailed processes together, allowing individual projects of varying scale and complexity to be managed in an orderly and transparent manner.

Administrative Standards:

• Director: Individual development projects are to be assigned a project manager from the TOD Department. It is the responsibility of this manager to establish a project team that includes the necessary partners and stakeholders. At the onset of each project, project managers are to provide the Director of Real Estate and TOD with a statement clarifying that no conflicts of interest exist that might compromise their ability to objectively manage that project.
• Role Map: Each project is to contain a role map that lists the roles and responsibilities necessary for the successful implementation of the project, as well as the names and contact information of involved parties (Appendix A).
• Project Checklist: Individual development projects are to be tracked using a standard checklist listing each process and task contained within the Development Framework and the amount of time each task is estimated to require. Project checklists are to include an approval matrix that lists the responsibility, review, approval, and/or recommendation for each task contained in the Development Framework (Appendix B).
• Documentation: Project documents are to be organized using a file structure that reflects the processes contained in the Development Framework (Appendix C)

Development Framework Process:

The Development Framework consists of three successive stages: Planning, Implementation, and Management. In order for a project to proceed from one stage of the Framework to another, it must complete the necessary processes, tasks, and approvals prescribed.

• Planning Stage: The essential function of the Planning Stage is to assess the conditions surrounding each station within the UTA System, to select stations that are prepared and to work with individual cities and communities to establish plans for future development. This is accomplished through the TOD System Analysis and Station Area Plan processes.
• Implementation Stage: The essential function of the Implementation Stage is to procure and work with development partners to produce concepts and designs that accurately reflect the findings and recommendations made in the Planning Stage, and prepare a site for construction. This is accomplished through the Conceptual Layout & Procurement, Master Plan, Site Design, and Financial Analysis processes.
• Management Stage: The essential function of the Management Stage is to ensure that projects are constructed in a manner that does not endanger, hinder, or deter UTA patrons from using transit facilities, and that the management of completed projects encourages and incentivizes them. This is accomplished through the Construction Management and Property Management processes.