SUCCESSFUL LAND USE PLANNING EDUCATION
ADDRESSING MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS
Clark, N1; Fogel, J.2; Slade, G.3
1. Associate Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Southeast District; 2. Area Specialist, Community Viability, Northeast District; 3. Extension Agent,
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Surry, Virginia.
Abstract Educational Response
Land use planning decisions have become increasingly complex. Urban development often Valuable Partnerships:
spreads across jurisdictions creating situations where one jurisdiction may enact a land use Forming partnerships with knowledgeable professionals from respected organizations is important to build
credibility. The following groups participated in the educational workshop.
decision to affect growth rate, land use patterns. These decisions may negatively affect the
economic, social, and environmental climate of neighboring localities. To prevent or mitigate such •County Governments •Virginia Department of Forestry
situations, comprehensive planning among jurisdictions is needed. However, multiple, often •Virginia Association of County Organizations (VACO) •Natural Resource Conservation Service
divergent interests can stymie such efforts. In response to this problem a coordinated, multi- •Citizens Planning Education Association of Virginia •Department of Conservation and Recreation
jurisdictional education program is needed. •Virginia Tech – Urban Affairs and Planning •Resource Conservation & Development Councils
•Virginia Cooperative Extension •Soil and Water Conservation Districts
In response to this need, an educational intervention was designed for the Hampton Roads
Presentations:
region. A consortium of partners was assembled to discuss relevant issues, needs, and Several presentations were given by state experts on emerging multi-jurisdictional issues relevant to the
development a workshop agenda. The workshop was attended by 36 municipal staff and region. Topics included:
decisions-makers, representing 5 municipalities. Information was provided on recent state-
level public policy changes, agency programs to address natural resource conservation issues, Current information on legislative changes Discussion of land conservation tools including:
involving planning, taxation, and incentive •Right to farm/practice forestry
and case studies looking at the costs and benefits where these practices have been put to use. programs at the federal and state levels, •Agricultural and Forestal Districts
Additionally, an “expert panel” allowed participants an opportunity to discuss specific questions including: •Land use taxation
that impact their current local and regional situations. • Emergency Watershed Protection – NRCS •Conservation easements
• Forest Legacy Program – VDOF •Purchase of development rights
As a result, county staff were made aware of funds, expertise, and programs available to • Land Conservation Fund – DCR/VOF •Transfer of development rights
assist in land use planning issues. Some counties have begun instituting land conservation
activities including purchasing development rights, adopting land use taxation, and adding smart Expert panel discussion:
Designing a program to meet the diverse needs of different localities presented a significant challenge.
growth concepts into their comprehensive plans and development ordinances. These elements After seeking input from key stakeholders from each of the localities, the planning committee decide that
demonstrate information dissemination, knowledge gain, partnerships formed for future the only way to address such varied requests was to establish an expert panel consisting of representatives
assistance, and application of lessons learned. from VACO, Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Community Viability Program, Virginia Tech’s Urban Affairs and
Planning Department, Citizens Planning Education Association of Virginia, and county government. The
panel discussion was the centerpiece of the workshop allowing the participants to ask questions that were
relevant to the specific concerns of their locality.
Multi-jurisdictional Issues
Multi- Results of this Program
(Isle of Wight, Prince George, Surry, Suffolk, Sussex, Southampton)
Southampton) Evaluations revealed the following knowledge gains:
Development
Topic Increase % Increase
•Large lot residential development
•US Rt 460 expansion NRCS and water quality impacts 0.8 31%
•Urban Development Areas (UDAs) Fragmentation of Farmland / Forestland 1.0 36%
•Governor Kaine has stated that he wishes to conserve 400,000 acres Growth vs. Conservation 0.8 24%
Cost / Revenue Factors 0.7 26%
Flooding concern Smart Growth 0.8 26%
•Emergency Watershed Protection – NRCS Specifics - fed/state progs - legislation 1.2 48%
International Paper land sale “Found the [Forest and Farmland Conservation Strategies] notebook a very valuable resource for
reference in making planning decisions.” – County Supervisor
BRAC
•Ft. Lee proposed expansion “Appreciated the information on ways to help preserve the rural character that is near and dear to our
•OLF – Outlying Landing Field - Naval Landing area hearts” – County Administrator
Development Rights Issues “We have been in contact with NRCS and investigating the EWP program” – County Planning Staff
•Isle of Wight begins PDR program
•Surry receives first applicants of conservation easements “Members of our county's staff and fellow board members have commented that the information was
•Southampton institutes land use taxation and required information on quite useful” – County Supervisor
determining land values
“State must realize that just because something is done in some large urban area … it does not
necessarily mean it can be generally done in a rural county like ours…” – County Supervisor