Land-Use Planning (and its Relationship to Public Health) Land-Use Planning (and its Relationship to Public Health) Marya Morris, AICP American Planning Association NACCHO Environmental Health Advisory Committee Albuquerque, October 22, 2003

Elements of a Comprehensive Plan Goals & objectives Land use Community facilities Transportation Housing Parks and recreation Historic preservation Urban design Economic development Environment Natural hazards Implementation Health ???

Land-Use Element Purposes –Provide pattern for the location and characteristics of future development –Principal plan element upon which others are based Supporting Analyses –Inventories, trend analysis, environmental scan, infrastructure capacity, population and economic projections Contents –Existing land use map –Statement of goals and policies –Future land use map –Narrative that explains how the future land-use pattern relates to the goals, policies, and guidelines

Steps in Land-Use Element (Plan) Preparation 1.Complete land use survey and other supporting analysis 2.Establish proposed locational goals, policies, and guidelines 3.Account for state and federal land use goals, policies, and guidelines 4.Establish guideline densities and intensities 5.Project land uses by category 6.Identify on a map factors influencing or limiting developability 7.Develop alternatives; allocate future land uses on map; account for constraints 8.Evaluate alternatives 9.Select optimal alternative

The Zoning Ordinance Lists Land-Use Districts Contains Development Regulations for Each District Yards Height Bulk or Floor Area Ratio Maximum lot coverage Maximum impervious surface ratio

Other Zoning Regulations Conditional uses Accessory structures and uses Landscaping Off-street parking and loading Home occupations Signs

Subdivision Regulation Purposes Legal authority Contents Submission requirements Standards for: Streets Sidewalks Stormwater Open space Lot sizes Erosion Utilities

Subdivision Review Procedure Pre-application conference Preliminary plat review Final plat review Public improvement guarantees Time limits Exactions & fees in lieu Parks & school sites Storm drainage

Other Terms and Techniques Adequate public facility ordinances Impact fees Exclusive farmland districts Traditional neighborhood development zones Overlay districts Transfer of development rights Planned unit development Density bonuses and incentives Urban growth boundaries

The built environment in post-industrial culture represents a tremendous unexamined resource for improving human and environmental health. Laura E. Jackson National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (2002)

Public Health Community Planning and Design Community Planning and Design Physically Active Communities Physically Active Communities A Convergence of Priorities

Planning/Public Health Chronology (from a planners perspective) s: The public health roots of planning 1920 – 1930s: Zoning and subdivision regulations emerge to deal with nuisance issues, property values, quality of life 1945 – present: Urban decentralization, vast changes in jobs/housing proximity, consumer preferences, wealth; (now) conventional development patterns become norm 1970 – 1985: Environmental movement; State growth management movement 1990 – present: Major change in Federal transportation priorities ISTEA (1990); TEA-21 (1997); TEA 3 (2003 reauthorization) 1990 – present: Smart growth movement 1997 – present: Public health and planning renew their marriage vows

What is Urban Sprawl? Sprawl is a fiscally and environmentally unsustainable development pattern that consumes farmland and open space and can have numerous negative effects on quality of life in a community.

Ten Principles of Smart Growth 1. Mix land uses 2. Take advantage of compact building design 3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices 4. Create walkable neighborhoods 5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place 6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas 7. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities 8. Provide a variety of transportation choices 9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective 10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions

Health implications of sprawl, part I air pollution greenhouse gas emissions heat island effect physical activity physical activity vehicle crashes Social capital Source: Richard Jackson, Howard Frumkin PowerPoint presentation, October 4, 2001.

Health implications of sprawl, part II P edestrian death and injury Water quantity and quality ? Mental health consequences Social equity Source: Richard Jackson, Howard Frumkin PowerPoint presentation, October 4, 2001.

The barriers weve built to physical activity: Planning as part of the problem Separated land uses Auto-dominated community design Large lots Ignoring human scale Prohibited connections between origins and destinations

Physical Activity and Sprawl Sprawl trip distances vehicle trips walking physical activity trip distances vehicle trips walking physical activity ­ overweight ­ obesity ­ overweight ­ obesity

Availability and Access Support for bicycling and walking Support for incidental outdoor activity Incentives for physical activity Safety Emerging Policy and Implementation Framework City planners, parks officials Public health officials Building code officials Transportation and transit Education Park districts, school districts, Law enforcement NGOs, private sector, community groups, media Agents of Change Menu of PoliciesDesired Outcomes Conducive environments for routine activity Increased physical activity

APA Survey of Planners on the Physical Activity Issue Purpose: Explore the extent to which planners are addressing the physical activity issue 10,000 planners ed the survey in March ,000 responses tallied Respondents represent wide range of jurisdiction size and type

For your jurisdictions elected and appointed officials, the physical activity of residents is...

For your jurisdictions elected and appointed officials, the relationship between community planning and design and the ability of residents to be physically active is...

Barriers to incorporating physical activity goals and objectives into plans, projects, and regulations

Planning and Designing the Physically Active Community APA Project Overview Literature Review (available now) Web resources (available now) National survey of planners (available now) Planning Advisory Service Report (in progress, forthcoming 2004) Case Studies (2004) Community Institutes ( )

Five Strategic Points of Intervention 1. Visioning and goal setting 2. Rethinking planning in all contexts 3. Local implementation tools 4. Site Design and Development 5. Siting Public Facilities and Capital Spending

1. Visioning and Goal Setting Begins with a discussion of shared values Results in a shared image of a community imagines most desired future Provides a broad context within which goals are set and plans are developed Majority of planning efforts now launched with a visioning exercise (reflective of more citizen participation)

2. Rethinking State and Local Planning Comprehensive plans Neighborhood plans Redevelopment plans

…2. Functional Plans Functional Plans –Health services –Bicycle and pedestrian –Transit –Streets and circulation –Trails –Parks –Housing –Economic development –Schools and campuses

Cambridge, Massachusetts Pedestrian Plan (2000) Why Cambridge, Mass. promotes walking –Fed, state, local rules –Local growth policy –Health(!) Vertical & horizontal policy integration Attention to the public realm Technical specifications Pedestrian advisory committee

… 3. More Implementation Tools Capital improvement programs Streetscape improvements Traffic calming in neighborhoods Transportation enhancements Financial set asides for parks and trails

4. Site Design and Development Improve the pedestrian environment Security, lighting, visibility Protection from traffic Adequate accommodation Building orientation, setback requirements Public art Architecture and appearance Street trees, landscaping, open spaces Well connected routes

…4. Site Design and Development Bicycle facilities Sidewalk requirements Parking lot layout and design Amenities/conveniences for active people Encouraging signage Usable parks, open space Accessible stairways

5. Siting and Use of Public Facilities and Capital Spending Public Spaces Schools Post offices Libraries Museums Parks City Hall Campuses Community Centers

Thank You! Marya Morris, AICP American Planning Association