Development In Our Neighborhood And Sustainability

Development in our Neighborhood and Sustainability “ Sustainable Ballard, a Blueprint for Everytown, USA, educates, inspires, and engages neighbors to take action to live more sustainably both individually and collectively. Our vision is an inclusive, joyful, sustainable community co-creating a world, for this and future generations, where eco-systems are healthy and peace is inevitable .”

Outline What is Sustainability? Our Stories Planning Framework – Where Global > Regional Problems – Why Planning for Sustainability – What Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How A Role for Everyone

What is Sustainability? “ Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs .” – Bruntland Commission, 1987 “ Then I say the earth belongs to each generation during its course, fully and in its own right, [but] no generation can contract debts greater than can be paid during the course of its own existence .” – Thomas Jefferson “ We are part of the earth and the earth is part of us .” – Chief Sealth

What is Sustainability? The Natural Step Funnel

My Story “ This family supported by timber dollars .”

Your Story Talk to your neighbor and discuss: Why are you interested in sustainability? What’s your sustainability story?

Planning Framework – Where Growth Management Act “ The legislature finds that uncoordinated and unplanned growth, together with a lack of common goals expressing the public’s interest in the conservation and the wise use of our lands, pose a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety, and high quality of life enjoyed by residents of this state …” (RCW 36.70A.010)

Planning Framework – Where Graphic Courtesy of PSRC

CURRENT LAND USE Seattle Tacoma Everett King County Kittitas County Pierce County Snohomish County

Seattle Tacoma Everett King County Kittitas County Pierce County Snohomish County 2100 ALTERNATIVE FUTURE

Seattle Tacoma Everett King County Kittitas County Pierce County Snohomish County 2100 “PLANNING” FUTURE

New Map1 Tacoma Puyallup River Prime Farmland Puget Sound

Tacoma Puyallup River Prime Farmland ? Puget Sound

Would you rather locate you business here… Or here… Planning Framework – Where

Would you rather locate you business here… Or here… Benefits of Compact Growth Reduced GHG Emissions Housing and Transportation Affordability Infrastructure and Fiscal Savings Cleaner Air and Water Walkable Neighborhoods Improved Public Health Conserves Natural and Resource Lands

Planning Framework – Where State – Growth Management Act Region – PSRC Vision 2040 County -wide Planning Policies City – Comprehensive Plan Development Regulations Project Review Neighborhood Plan

Would you rather locate you business here… Or here… Urban Village Strategy – Where “ The strategy of focusing future development in urban villages continues to direct new development away from Seattle’s single-family areas .”

Would you rather locate you business here… Or here…

Would you rather locate you business here… Or here… Urban Village – Where “ By concentrating growth in these urban villages, Seattle can build on successful aspects of the city’s existing urban character, continuing the development of concentrated, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use neighborhoods of varied intensities at appropriate locations throughout the city .”

Would you rather locate you business here… Or here… Urban Village Strategy – Where “ No increases in designated residential densities or increases in the allowable intensity of commercial uses beyond those specified in the existing Land Use Code shall be sought for the neighborhood under the Queen Anne Plan .” – Policy LU3.1

Would you rather locate you business here… Or here… Growth in Our Region – Where From 2000 – 2007: 307,000 More People 45,000 in Outer Suburbs 41,000 in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Everett and Bremerton 80,000 Outside of Regional Growth Centers Significant Growth Outside of UGAs

Global Problems – Climate Change – Why

Global Problems – Peak Oil – Why

Global Problems – Population Growth – Why

Global Problems – Biodiversity Loss – Why

Global Problems – Economic Meltdown – Why

Regional Problems – Energy and Climate Uncertainty – Why Whitechuck Glacier – 1973 Whitechuck Glacier – 2006

Regional Problems – Energy and Climate Uncertainty – Why

Regional Problems – Puget Sound – Why

Regional Problems – Infrastructure – Why

Regional Problems – Economic Meltdown – Why

Regional Problems – Population Growth – Why Graphic Courtesy of PSRC

Planning for Sustainability – What “ The best way to predict the future is to plan it.” – Buckminster Fuller We have the SOLUTIONS to these problems Why aren’t we TALKING about these issues? We have to ACT NOW YOU can make a difference TOGETHER, WE CAN solve these problems

Planning for Sustainability – What Existing planning framework about accommodating expected growth, but… WE CAN DO MORE!!! Land Use and Transportation Building Construction and Energy Efficiency Local Economic Development Community Involvement

Planning for Sustainability – What

Planning for Sustainability – What One Planet Living American Planning Association Planning Guide for Sustainability The Natural Step for Communities Post Carbon Institute Resilient Cities Earth Charter Community Action Tool Aalborg Commitments Urban Environmental Accords Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development ICLEI (Under development) Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute

Planning for Sustainability – What Social Equity Economic Opportunity and Security Environmental Stewardship Transportation Choices Participatory Planning Process Educate >> Baseline >> Vision >> Strategies >> Actions >> Evaluation and Reporting

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How Problem Statement : How to Incorporate Sustainability into the Neighborhood Plan Updates in a Tangible and Measurable Fashion?

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans “ The long term social, economic and environmental health of our community. A sustainable culture thrives without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs .” Comp Plan Core Values Community Economic Opportunity and Security Environmental Stewardship Social Equity

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans Zero Carbon Achieve net CO2 emissions of zero from OPL developments. Zero Waste Eliminate waste flows to landfill and for incineration. Sustainable Transport Reduce reliance on private vehicles and achieve major reductions of CO2 emissions from transport. Local and Sustainable Materials Transform materials supply to the point where it has a net positive impact on the environment and local economy. Local and Sustainable Food Transform food supply to the point where it has a net positive impact on the environment, local economy and peoples’ well-being. Sustainable Water Achieve a positive impact on local water resources and supply. Natural Habitats and Wildlife Regenerate degraded environments and halt biodiversity loss. Culture and Heritage Protect and build on local cultural heritage and diversity. Equity and Fair Trade Ensure that the OPL community’s impact on other communities is positive. Health and Happiness Increase health and quality of life of OPL community members and others.

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans Sustainable Transport Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle Transport Addressed in EVERY plan Walkability, bicycle improvements, pedestrian amenities and transit Example : Queen Anne – Multi-modal enhancements “ Encourage land uses and urban character development which will facilitate the establishment of a high-capacity transit/multi-modal node(s) in the Urban Center …” EVERY other plan

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans Culture and Heritage Vision Statements: Preserve Neighborhood Character Preserve Cultural and Historic Character Example: Queen Anne – Preserve Neighborhood Character “ Preserve the individual characteristics of the single-family and mixed-use neighborhoods .”

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans Health and Happiness Quality of Life Public Safety, community revitalization, and natural amenities Live, work, shop, play Example: Queen Anne – Seattle Center “ Encourage Seattle Center to plan and implement development which will enhance the quality of life in the Queen Anne neighborhood .”

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans OPL Principles Equity and Fair Trade Zero Waste Local Materials Local Food Contain Many Elements – Lack Framework

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans Reduced Auto Dependence vs. Increased Parking Belltown Transportation Vision: Live Without a Car vs. Adequate Parking Queen Anne: “ Too much auto use ” on the same page as “ inadequate parking for shops/office and inadequate parking for multifamily and single family areas. ” Affordable Housing vs. Encroachments on Single-Family Green Lake Rejection of any more low income housing units Queen Anne: “ Threats to single-family neighborhoods ” are noted along with “ lack of affordable housing ” and “ decreasing range of option in housing types .”

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing Plans Transportation Choices Neighborhood Character Quality of Life Affordable Housing

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus Groups 6 Sectors – 3 Focus Groups per Sector “ Sustainability has been discussed a lot in the media lately and is a key component of the city’s approach to the next round of plans. Have there been changes in your neighborhood that you would call sustainable? (Were the changes related to items in the previous plans?) ”

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus Groups Sustainability Varying Levels of Knowledge Need for Consistent Definition Neighborhood Impacts “ You need to give a definition of sustainable. If you’re going to ask that question you must have a definition .” – West Sector Participant “ Sustainability on the neighborhood level is different. Other than design, what is there? Storm water, transportation, and habitat – these are broader than the neighborhood. ” – Northwest Sector Participant

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus Groups Transportation Frustration with Infrastructure Improve Transit Concerns over Parking Walkability “ It’s a question of infrastructure – the transportation infrastructure is not being built to accommodate the new density. It is Ron Sims’ stated policy to make driving a car so inconvenient that people will do other things. But there are no “other things” to do! ” – West Sector Participant “ It’s not sustainable when you have growth with a lack of amenities – you can't get around by bus. It's a big problem. ” – Northwest Sector Participant

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus Groups Neighborhood Character Aesthetics of New Development Challenges of Density and Development Housing Affordability “ The biggest threat (to my neighborhood) is terrible architectural design. ” – Southwest Sector Participant “ We are losing the character that originally drew us to particular neighborhoods – that’s not sustainable. ” – West Sector Participant “ Low-income residents are already here, but new housing is not affordable. The City is not encouraging upgrade of existing housing stock. Not everyone qualifies for subsidized housing; we need to maintain existing stock. ” – Southeast Sector Participant

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Prospects Need a Consistent Definition of Sustainability Holistic Framework with Supporting Principles Connect the Dots Established Values and Goals to Strategies City-wide Assessment Measure What Matters

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Educate S ocial Equity Comp Plan Core Value and Common Theme in Frameworks E conomic Opportunity and Security Comp Plan Core Value and Common Theme in Frameworks A ffordable Housing Urban Village and Environmental Stewardship in Comp Plan and Existing Plans T ransportation Choices Every Existing Plan, Comp Plan and Common Theme in Frameworks T ightly Woven Communities Every Existing Plan, Comp Plan and Common Theme in Frameworks L ocal Food Common Theme from Frameworks, but Missing from Comp Plan and Existing Plans E nvironmental Stewardship Comp Plan Core Value and Common Theme in Frameworks

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Baseline Persons Covered by Health Insurance Poverty Rate Housing and Transportation Affordability Index Vehicle Miles Traveled People Who Volunteer in Community Activities Acreage of P-Patches Renewable Energy Potential Wind Solar Geothermal

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Vision “ A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. But a vision with a plan can change the world .” – An Old Proverb

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Strategies Co-location of Public Services “ Green Jobs” Training Programs Enhanced Incentive Zoning, Reduced Parking Requirements Light Rail, Streetcar, Bike Facilities Design Guidelines > Form Based Code > Sustainable Development Code Transfer of Development Rights, Permit Greenhouses Green Building Incentives and Standards Green Infrastructure Incentives and Standards Incentives for Incorporating Renewable Energy

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Evaluate and Report Determine Effectiveness of Investments Update Neighborhood Plan

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How Community Centers Libraries Parks Renewable Energy Transportation Choices Affordable Green Buildings Local Food Financing Plan for Neighborhood Amenities

Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How Educate HONEST CONVERSATION about the issues Baseline KNOWLEDGE of current situation Vision Think LONG-TERM Strategies/Actions We have the SOLUTIONS ACT NOW Evaluate and Report TOGETHER, WE CAN plan for sustainability

Planning for Sustainability – Benefits Reduced impact on environment Less economic vulnerability Stronger community More peace, less war

A Role For Everyone Sustainability is NOT a code word Seattleites are already asking for it! We can do more than plan for expected growth… We can plan for sustainability WE ALL NEED TO LEAD

Questions For Discussion What problems are we trying to solve with our planning decisions? How would the decisions change if we focused on solving different problems? How can we have more conversations about the long-term social, environmental and economic consequences of our planning decisions? How do we ensure that planning decisions which make long-term sense don’t have negative short-term impacts? Does any of this matter if we don’t address population growth at both the national and international levels? Should we shift our focus to rural renewal and repopulating our small farming towns?

Peak Oil “ The days of inexpensive, convenient, abundant energy are quickly drawing to a close .” – US Army, 2005 “… a shortfall of oil supplies caused by world conventional oil peaking will sharply increase oil prices and oil price volatility. ” – US Dept. of Energy, 2006

Peak Oil The Importance of Oil: Transportation Pharmaceuticals Agricultural Products (oil-based pesticides) Chemicals and Plastics National Defense Home Heating Food Production and Distribution

Peak Oil Alternatives to Oil – EROI: Deepwater and Polar Oil Risky and Expensive Tar Sands and Oil Shale Environmental Disaster Coal Environmental Disaster Nuclear Fuel Supply, Safety, Cost Hydrogen Energy Carrier Biofuels Food vs. Fuel

Climate Benefit District “ A neighborhood-level response that integrates the essential components of green, livable urbanism .” Designed to: Focus affordable development in appropriate locations to maximize transit use and preserve rural areas Leverage public investment to encourage the green economy Connect land use and transportation best practices and policies to meet GHG reduction goals Synchronize efforts across the state, giving cities the same set of tools that streamline regulations, incentives and financing mechanisms

Development In Our Neighborhood And Sustainability

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