2009 APA Sustainable Comprehensive Plan

The Sustainable Comprehensive Plan APA National Conference Minneapolis, MN April 26, 2009 WRT Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC

Agenda1. Introduction and Emerging Trends2. Sustainability in the Comprehensive Planning Process3. Case Study: Union County Comprehensive Plan • Union County Background • Community Outreach • Cultivating Community: A Sustainable Comprehensive Plan for Union County4. Questions and DiscussionDavid Rouse, AICP, Principal, Wallace Roberts & ToddShawn McLaughlin, AICP, Planning Director, Union County, PARobert Kerns, AICP, Associate, Wallace Roberts & Todd

Introduction and Emerging Trends

The 21st Century Comprehensive Plan• Values-Driven• Collaborative• Thematic Based• Linking Process and Outcome• Regional in Focus• Beyond PaperSource: The 21st Century Comprehensive Plan, presentation and paper preparedby David Rouse, Michael Chandler, and Jon Arason for the 1999 National APAConference in Seattle, WA

Sustainability Issues• Critical Environmental Stresses (Lester Brown)1 – Deteriorating oil and food security – Climate change: rising temperatures and sea levels – Emerging water shortages – Natural systems under stress – Growing divides between rich and poor• Two Great Oversights of Our Time (Rob Hopkins)2 – Peak oil – Climate change1 Plan B 3.0, 20082 The Transition Handbook, 2008

What is Sustainability?• Definitions …Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987) …Development that improves the long-term health of human and ecological systems (Stephen M. Wheeler, Planning for Sustainability, 2004)• The Three “Es” – Environment – Economy – Equity

Sustainable Comprehensive Plans• The Leaders – Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan: Towards a Sustainable Future – Portland, OR: Portland Plan – Plan NYC: A Greener, Greater New York – Greenburg, KS: Sustainable Comprehensive Master P:lan• Other Examples – Minneapolis, MN: Plan for Sustainable Growth – Salem, OH: Sustainable Comprehensive Plan – Washtenaw County, MI: A Sense of Place, A Sustainable Future• Cities with Extensive Sustainability Initiatives – San Francisco – Chicago

Emerging Trends• State Legislation – California: Climate change legislation – Massachusetts Green Community Act (Comprehensive Energy Reform)• Natural Step Framework – Eco-Municipalities (Sweden) – Santa Monica, CA Sustainable City Program – Grassroots initiatives (e.g., Lewisburg, PA)• Transition Initiatives – 64 adopted Transition Initiatives as of 6/08 – 54 in UK, 4 in New Zealand, 2 in US, 1 in Ireland – US communities: Boulder, CO and Sandpoint, ID

Sustainability in the Comprehensive Planning Process

Typical Comprehensive Planning Process• Outreach / Input• Analysis• Synthesis/Choice• Plan Development• Implementation

Sustainability in the Planning Process• Outreach / Input: “Values-driven” planning meets the “environmental imperative”• Analysis: Sustainability scan• Plan Development: Sustainability “building blocks” (organizing the plan)• Implementation: Sustainability indicators and tools

Sustainability Principles• Energy Reduce fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions through the planning and design of communities, sites, and buildings• Resiliency Reduce vulnerability to external environmental and economic threats through planning, design, and increased reliance on local resources, goods, and services• Mobility Locate and design transportation systems to reduce reliance on the automobile and promote alternative modes• Stewardship Preserve and restore natural, cultural, and built resources. Integrate natural and human ecological systems in the planning and design of communities• Equity Provide housing, transportation, and employment opportunities for persons of all socioeconomic backgrounds and abilities

Outreach / InputVision: Define in relation to environmentalchallenges and sustainability principlesEducation: Frame sustainability issues toresonate with community • Economic Challenges – Impacts of volatile energy costs – Fiscal impacts of inefficient development patterns • Environmental Challenges – Impacts on climate change and security – Vulnerability to natural and human disasters • Social Challenges – Lack of affordable workforce housing – Effects on community health (obesity)

Analysis• Sustainability Scan: How sustainable is your community?• Level 1 (Qualitative) – Review existing plans, policies, and regulations – Evaluate land use patterns / infrastructure systems• Level 2 (Quantitative): Impact modeling (e.g., INDEX by Criterion Planners) – Carbon footprint /greenhouse gas emissions – Energy consumption – Stormwater runoff – Traffic impact modeling – Fiscal impact modeling – Land consumption/development patterns

Plan Development: Building Blocks• Model 1: Conventional Plan Elements • Land Use • Establish overarching sustainability • Transportation framework • Housing • Define sustainability principles and • Natural & Historic Resources themes with the community • Agricultural Resources • “Activate” framework, principles, and • Recreation and Open Space themes through strategies and actions in different elements • Community Facilities • Economic Development Potential New Elements: • Energy Conservation • Community Form • Hazard Mitigation

Plan Development: Building Blocks• Model 2: Systems Approach • Energy (utility infrastructure, energy sources/ production, conservation) • Organize elements into “systems” • Food (local networks, production, • Define sustainability principles and distributions, health, access) themes with the community • Mobility (complete streets, connectivity) • Emphasize interconnectedness between elements • Green Infrastructure (greenways, sensitive environmental resources, urban “greening”, etc.) • Housing (community character & form, types, affordability, need vs. supply) • Economic (employment, diversity, accessibility, local “asset-based” community development) • Social (education, recreation, cultural and historic resources, safety and security, community health)

Implementation• Action Plan – Types of actions (policy, regulatory, capital investment) – Schedule / timeframes – Responsible parties• Capacity-Building / Partnerships – Municipal government – Other levels of government – Non-profit organizations / institutions – Private sector businesses – Citizens• Plan Monitoring – Measures of progress (sustainability indicators)

Union County Background

Union County Background• Located along the Susquehanna River 60 miles N of Harrisburg,165 New York, NY miles NW of Philadelphia, Union County and 200 miles E of Pittsburgh• Comprehensive plan for 13 Harrisburg, PA municipalities Philadelphia, PA• 3 multi-municipal plans Washington DC

Union County Background• Attractive rural quality of life with strong agricultural heritage and small towns / villages• Forests and agriculture represents 60% and 30% of total land use, respectively• Access to major urban areas via I-80 and other routes• Historic downtown districts in Lewisburg and Mifflinburg• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg

Existing Land Use

Union County Background• 80% of County zoned for Agricultural or Woodlands / limited low-density housing is permitted in most of these districts• Residential housing growth: 14% from 1990-2000 and 8% from 2000-2006• 40% housing growth projected by 2030 / highest growth expected in agricultural townships

New Structures 2001-2006 (+1,000 units)& Land Preservation

Union County Population, 1820-2050 70,000 60,000 2000 50,000Population 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Year

Total Land Area Needed for 2006-2050 @ 1 DU/Net Acre** 1) An additional 20% in land area is included inacreage calculation to accommodate utilities and ROW;2) Gregg Township is included in the total projection,but is excluded from the Planning Area totals. + 8,826 Housing Units = 10,590 Net Acres in Union County* 640 Acres 1 2 4 miles

Community Outreach

Outreach & Involvement Techniques• Website• Advisory Teams• Branding, Advertising & Marketing• Citizen Survey• Public Forums• Meeting In a Box• Stakeholder Interviews• Municipal Officials Meetings• School Programs

www.cultivatingcommunity.net

Advisory Teams• Countywide Plan Advisory Team • 28 volunteers – Represented diverse County stakeholders • Met every other month on average• 3 Multi-Municipal Advisory Teams • Elected Officials & Planning Commissioners • Met as needed

Citizen Survey Results

Outreach & Involvement Themes• Energy Conservation & Sustainability• Preservation of Agriculture & Natural Resources• Growth Management• Create Trails & Pedestrian-Friendly Development• Expand Public Transportation• Vitality of Town Centers• Regional Cooperation• Concern About Quality of New Growth• Economic Opportunity for Current Residents• Strategic Infrastructure Investment

Cultivating Community: A SustainableComprehensive Plan for Union County

Vision Statement Union County will be a prosperous and beautiful valley in 2030 by: • Protecting precious natural resources & agriculture • Supporting sustainable economic growth • Promoting its unique town & country lifestyleThree concurrent regional visions will contribute their special strengths to achieving these goals:The western region will be a The central region will be The eastern region will be ahome for rural enterprise and the heart of Union center of county government, connecting with nature. County’s agricultural and medical service, and higher small town heritage. education in a town and country setting.

Future Growth Management FrameworkCitizen Direction & Continue Small Town Sustainability Patterns

Recommended Growth Management Framework

What the Future Could Look Like

Union County’s Cultivating Community Comprehensive Plan: A Hybrid Approach• Topical Plan Elements • Natural and Agricultural Resources • Land Use • Housing • Economic Development • Cultural, Historic, and Recreational Resources • Community Facilities, Utilities, and Energy Conservation • Implementation• Integrating Factors • Sustainability Principles • Sustainability Keys • Sustainability Indicators

Sustainability Principles1. Focus new development in and around established communities • Promote reinvestment in existing towns and villages • Develop in close proximity to existing infrastructure2. Preserve rural resources • Maintain agriculture and prime farmland soils • Preserve sensitive natural features and scenic views3. Conserve energy • Decrease fossil fuel consumption • Reduce automobile use / promote transportation alternatives4. Conserve fiscal resources • Limit the negative impacts of new development on municipal budgets • Limit the negative impacts of new development on community services

Sustainability Keys1. Natural and Agricultural Resources - System Integrity2. Land Use - Mixed Use3. Housing - Diversity4. Economic Development - Building Local Assets5. Transportation – Multi-Modal Choices6. Cultural, Historic, and Recreational Resources - Adaptive Reuse7. Community Facilities, Utilities, and Energy Conservation - Energy Conservation

Sustainability Key – Natural and Agricultural ResourcesSystem Integrity• Maintain integrity of woodlands, greenways, waterways, wetlands, habitats, open space, soils, and agricultural landsSample Sustainability Indicators• Water Quality• Animal and plant indicator species• Agricultural / forest lands preserved (e.g., easements, TDR)

Sample ActionsNatural and Agricultural Resources• Create a countywide Green Infrastructure Plan• Educate farmers about alternative livestock production systems with lesser impacts on land and water quality (e.g. organic, free-range, non-confinement, grass-fed meat and poultry)

Sustainability Key – Land UseMixed Use• Strengthen the County’s traditional land use pattern of compact, mixed- use development focused on small towns and villagesSample Sustainability Indicators• New development inside vs. outside growth areas• Vertical vs. horizontal mixed-uses• Carbon footprint / greenhouse gas emissions Cultivating Community

Sample ActionsLand Use• Prepare regulations to promote walkable, mixed-use communities (e.g., TND, form- based zoning, incentives, etc.)• Develop conservation subdivision / tree preservation standards for use in rural areas Cultivating Community

Sustainability Key – HousingHousing Diversity• Provide choices in housing types and prices to meet different segments of the County’s populationSample Sustainability Indicators• Mix of housing types vs. housing demand based on demographics• Affordability• Access to services (e.g., community facilities, parks and recreation, retail)

Sample ActionsHousing• Provide different housing types in designated growth areas for a changing and aging population• Implement a “green building” program through new code requirements / incentives, education, grants / loans, and partnerships (electric companies)

Sustainability Key – Economic DevelopmentBuilding Local Assets• Build economic activities that: • Draw on County’s intrinsic values – high quality of life, fertile agricultural soils, quality educational and medical institutions • Reduce dependence on outside resources (e.g., use locally produced goods and services rather than imported goods)Sample Sustainability Indicators• Locally-owned businesses• Employment opportunities / living wages

Sample ActionsEconomic Development• Focus programs on businesses that “fit” with growing industry clusters • Healthcare • Education • Lumber and wood products • Diversified manufacturing • Hospitality/tourism• Expand partnerships with area educational / healthcare institutions Cultivating Community

Sustainability Key – TransportationTransportation Choices• Provide convenient choices for people to use different forms of travel (autos, bicycles, transit, and walking) to meet their mobility needs.Sample Sustainability Indicators• Reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT)• Length of sidewalks / bike lanes / multi-use trails• Connectivity index Cultivating Community

Sample ActionsTransportation• Designate a network of on-road routes with adequate paved shoulders for non- motorized travel (horse and buggy, bicycles)• Provide for pedestrian / bicycle facilities in land development / roadway improvements (e.g., traffic impact study ordinances, roadway design guidelines) Cultivating Community

Sustainability Keys – Cultural, Historic, and Recreational ResourcesAdaptive Reuse• Refers to modification or rehab of existing structures to serve new uses (e.g., “recycling: former schools for retail, office, or residential uses)Sample Sustainability Indicators• Historic resources recognized / preserved• Recycled buildings• Heritage tourism activity

Sample ActionsCultural, Historic, and Recreational Resources• Implement a countywide preservation program to encourage rehab or adaptive reuse of historic resources and other older buildings• Designate Union County as part of the Middle Susquehanna State Heritage Area

Sustainability Keys – Community Facilities, Utilities, and Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation• Energy is required for all life’s activities; minimizing energy usage both conserves resources and yields economic returns by lowering costs.Sample Sustainability Indicators• Compactness of infrastructure systems• Renewable energy installations• Green buildings• Reduction in VMT

Sample ActionsCommunity Facilities, Utilities, and Energy Conservation• Support opportunities for energy production on farms (e.g., methane from dairies, regional manure digester)• Upgrade high school facilities as model “green” facilities • Sustainable building systems • Site / stormwater management practices • Multi-modal transportation access

Union County’s Cultivating Community Comprehensive Plan: Implementation• Geographic Scale • Countywide Action Plan • Multi-Municipal Action Plans• Actions • Types (regulatory, policy / planning, capital investment, partnerships) • Timeframes • Responsibilities • Funding sources• Monitoring • Annual Assessments / Work Programs • Measures of Progress (sustainability indicators)

Key Issue: Capacity-Building• Union County and its municipalities have a small population and limited resources • Three municipalities do not have zoning ordinances• Partnerships among the public, private, and nonprofit / institutional sectors will be key to success • Public / public (e..g., PA State Agencies / Union County / municipalities) • Public / private (e.g., Lewisburg Area Recreation Park – LARA / Playworld; Pennsylvania House redevelopment) • Public / institutional (e.g., Union County / Bucknell University)

The Sustainable Comprehensive Plan APA National Conference Minneapolis, MN April 26, 2009 Contact Information David Rouse, AICP, Principal, Wallace Roberts & Todd drouse@ph.wrtdesign.com Shawn McLaughlin, AICP, Planning Director, Union County smclaughlin@unionco.org Robert Kerns, AICP, Associate, Wallace Roberts & Todd rkerns@ph.wrtdesign.com www.cultivatingcommunity.net WRT Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC

2009 APA Sustainable Comprehensive Plan

by WRT on Feb 01, 2011

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