February 6, 2008 Phase 2: Achieving our Visions of 2050 In cooperation with:

Presentation Overview What is the “Blueprint?” Phase 1 Activities and Results Draft Growth Principles Small/Large Group Discussions Scenarios/Alternative

What is the “Blueprint?” A shared, long-range vision of Kern’s future and quality-of-life: –Educational –Complement local city & county plans –Foster cooperation –Consider TRENDS Develop “scenarios”: –How can we make our visions and values a reality? –What principles should guide future action?

Trend: Kern’s Changing Ethnicity Hispanics will increase from 38 to 58 percent

Trend: Kern is Ageing Persons 55+ will increase from 17 to 22 percent

Town Hall Meetings –Over 700 participants –18 meetings throughout the region (8 in Greater Metro) –Visions and values –Top issues for the future Quality of Life Survey –1,200 telephone respondents (600 in Metro and the valley floor) –Attitudes and perceptions Phase 1 Outreach Activities – March thru September 2007

Roundtables –9 Planning Director Meetings –4 Economic Development Directors –2 Environment/Social equity –2 Business community Community Presentations –11 City Councils/County –10 Community/interest groups Phase 1 Outreach Activities

What are your CONCERNS for the future of your communities? –Air Quality –Gang Violence/Crime –Lack of Good Planning for Growth –Ineffective Public Transportation –Traffic Congestion/Circulation –Growth Exceeds Infrastructure – Lack of Good Infrastructure Planning –Need for Free & Convenient Recycling Metro Bakersfield Concerns/Vision for the Future from Phase 1

What are your CONCERNS for the future of your communities? (continued…) –Health – Asthma, Obesity Rates, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer –Need for Medical Resources –Separation of Land Uses –Lack of Walkability –Lack of City/County Cooperation –Water Availability –Infrastructure Maintenance –Job Availability –Urban Sprawl –Not Protecting Farmland – No Vision for the Future –Lack of Parks/Greenbelts Metro Bakersfield Concerns (cont.)

What are your CONCERNS for the future of your communities? (continued…) –Resource Protection –Diversified economic and job opportunities –Neighborhood Revitalization –Low Education Test Scores –Lack of Affordable Housing –Poverty –Segregation –Traffic Circulation –Maintaining a People Friendly Community

83.8% of respondents said their community is a desirable or very desirable place to live. 76.2% agreed or strongly agreed that Kern is growing too fast 89% agreed or strongly agreed that Kern has major gang violence problem; Crime was cited as the region’s #1 concern. 72.6% said the loss of ag land is a problem or major problem 64.8% gave the region’s air quality a grade of D or F 87.8% agreed or strongly agreed that local governments should be required to work together to have a common plan for transportation & housing development & land use in their region. Key Survey Results Related to Concerns/Visions: Central Valley

Growth Principles: Approaches to Achieve the Vision/Address our Concerns

9+ Draft Principles A.Use compact efficient development and/or mixed land uses B.Provide a variety of housing choices C.Provide adequate and equitable services D.Use and improve existing community assets and infrastructure E.Provide a variety of transportation choices F. Enhance economic vitality by linking: Job training, Education, and industry needs G. Conserve energy and natural resources, and develop new alternatives H. Conserve undeveloped land and spaces I. Increase civic and public engagement Additional principle(s)

A. Use compact efficient development and/or mixed land uses Major effect Moderate effect Small effect No effect Delete this principle ♣ ♦♥♠ X ♣ ♦♥♠ X How effective would this principle be in achieving our community’s Vision? Circle one and please provide comments on your form.

A. Use compact, efficient development and mixed land uses –Locate housing, employment, shopping, services, and transit routes close to each other. –Compactly built –Use space efficiently –Use attractive, sustainable design and green building guidelines –Easily walkable and bikeable Draft Principle

B. Provide a variety of housing choices –Develop a mix of housing types Single-family detached houses Townhouses and condos Apartments –Provide affordable options for everyone –Develop workforce housing near employment centers Draft Principle

C. Provide adequate and equitable services –Education –Medical Services –Public Safety –Recreation Draft Principle

D. Use and improve existing community assets and infrastructure –Focus development in existing communities –Develop or redevelop underutilized urban land (infill) –Enhance historic buildings and areas –Preserve and improve current infrastructure: Streets, sewers, water, and parks Draft Principle

E. Provide a variety of transportation choices –Offer alternatives to driving: Bike lane networks Sidewalks and trails Convenient local and regional public transit systems. –Design communities that support a variety of transportation options. Draft Principle

F. Enhance economic vitality by linking: –Job training –Education –Future regional economic needs and opportunities Draft Principle

G. Conserve energy and natural resources, and develop new alternatives –Conserve and protect air, water, mineral and petroleum resources –Encourage new energy resources –Design energy- efficient facilities and communities Draft Principle

H. Conserve undeveloped land and spaces –Habitats, waterways, natural areas, agriculture and public land –Protect air space for military & aerospace industry flight operations –Avoid encroaching urban development Draft Principle

I. Increase civic and public engagement –All community members –All levels and sectors of government –All interest groups Draft Principle

Additional principle(s) Major effect Moderate effect Small effect No effect Delete this principle ♣ ♦♥♠ X ♣ ♦♥♠ X How effective would this principle be in achieving our community’s Vision? Circle one and please provide comments on your form.

Small Group Discussions Provide your input: –Discuss –Comment forms Part 1—Draft Principles –Open Discussion –Card Game Part 2—Scenarios –Growth options –Preferences

Thank You for Participating!