Presentation 3: Land-Use Planning and Policy Overview

Outline Introduction What is land-use policy and what does it do? Multiple levels The policy-making process and how you can play a role Zoning, the zoning process, and how you can play a role Landscape codes - some examples Summary

Introduction Land-use policy and planning decisions have an immense influence on natural resource issues in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). As the landscape changes, so does the role of natural resource professionals.

Wearing a new hat To succeed in this new role, resource professionals need an understanding of the policy development, zoning, and planning processes, and how these tools influence natural resources in the WUI.

Tools for success There are a variety of tools that governments and communities can use to regulate development, natural resource use, and resource management. These tools can greatly influence WUI issues. Policy is one such tool

Defining policy Policy is a purposive course of action or inaction that an actor or set of actors takes to deal with a problem

Policy… Determines  How land and resources are used  What resources require protection Defines  Regulatory methods

Unintended consequences Policy can help conserve and enhance natural resources… Or It can inadvertently lead to their degradation.

Multiple levels Policies can be developed at all levels of government: Federal State Local (city/county/parish) Neighborhood

Importance of collaboration Collaboration among agencies, stakeholders, and levels of government combines experience, authority, and resources, creating an ideal outcome.

Enlibra Doctrine National Standards, Neighborhood Solutions Collaboration, Not Polarization Reward Results, Not Programs Science for Facts, Process for Priorities Markets before Mandates Change a Heart, Change a Nation Recognition of Costs and Benefits Solutions Transcend Political Boundaries

Steps in the policy process 1.Problem identification 2.Policy agenda setting 3.Policy formulation 4.Policy adoption 5.Policy implementation 6.Policy evaluation

Steps in the policy process 12 Policy agenda setting 3 Policy formulation 4 5 Policy implementation 6 Policy evaluation

What is zoning? Regulations that define appropriate land uses, acceptable building height and setback, minimum lot sizes.

Zoning defined Divides communities into agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential land uses Intended to promote compatibility of land uses

Zoning success in the interface Promote successful land-use regulation Promote natural resource protection Promote the goals of the local comprehensive plan

Zone with care However, zoning ordinances have historically led to development that exacerbated interface issues. They need to be created with care. Zoning needs your input!

The zoning process Data Gathering Public notification Commission Review Commission vote Public comment Review for compatibility with plan

Potential roles for resource professionals Serve on the zoning commission Provide reliable data about resource conditions and land use impacts for local decision makers Your chance to help shape development and reduce interface issues!

Land-use planning Land-use planning is designed to guide community development; helps people create a vision of how to provide resources for the future

Elements of the planning process 1.Data gathering 2.Goal formation 3.Land-use decision 4.Public input 5.Action plan 6.Evaluation

Urban sprawl Characterized by unmanaged, widespread growth Some effects: Destroys wildlife habitat Increases risks of water pollution Increases risk of wildfire Increases need for automobiles, noise, traffic, pollution Reduces rural character or sense of place

Home School Shops Workplace Recreation Urban Sprawl creates the need to drive!

SPRAWL!

Smart Growth: Has different definitions in each community Promotes economic development, social equity, and environmental stewardship to improve overall quality of life

Basic principles of Smart Growth: 1)All levels of government play a role in creating and implementing policies that support Smart Growth. 2)Development should conserve and enhance environmental and cultural resources. 3)Development should promote vitality for urban centers. 4) Programs and policies need to encourage vital small towns and rural areas. 5) Land and infrastructure (streets, schools, etc.) should be used efficiently.

Basic principles (cont.) 6) A variety of housing choices and mixed-use (commercial + residential) centers should be accessible by multiple transportation options. 7) Development should be considered on a regional scale. 8) A “sense of place” should be fostered. This may include unique cultural, natural, or geographical features. 9) Land-use planning should strive to promote equity and involve its stakeholders in the planning process. 10) One size doesn’t fit all. There are a variety of approaches to accomplish Smart Growth.

Land conservation tools Greenspace, open space, greenways Conservation easements/land- preservation agreements Land-acquisition programs Urban growth or urban services boundary

Technology Technology provides many tools to reduce some of the negative effects of development. For example:  CuSoil  Permeable pavement  Geographic Information Systems (GIS)  Others?

Conventional development Residential subdivisions typically consist of low-density, single- family homes, lacking connectivity within and between neighborhoods. New subdivisions are often developed on undeveloped land (greenfield sites).

Conservation development Conservation subdivisions  Employ Smart Growth principles  Create dense clusters of homes  Leave undeveloped greenspace for conservation and recreation

Benefits for residents Increased quality of life Healthier lifestyle (proximity to recreation) Reduced auto dependency Sense of community

Increased sales due to accessibility by foot and community involvement Reduced advertising expenses – no need for large signage Economies of scale in marketing (collaborate with other local businesses) Benefits for businesses

Long term income potential – mixed use rentals Lower impact fees – less impact on roads/ traffic Lower cost of utilities – compact community design Increased marketability – proximity to nature Benefits for developers

Stable & increased tax base (density) Lower expense on infrastructure & utilities than typical suburban subdivision Community image & sense of place Community involvement Less traffic congestion Benefits for municipalities

Why should you care? Natural resource professionals have much of the experience and knowledge necessary to understand and explain the risks and benefits associated with land-use changes in the WUI.

Ideally, land-use decisions are made based on balancing the values, interests, and needs of stakeholders. Resource professionals have a responsibility to ensure that decision makers have the most useful and reliable natural resource information. Well-informed decisions

Involving the community in the design process to create a more livable and healthy environment

How can you help? Resource professionals can provide science-based information for decision makers and articulate the natural resource consequences of various land- use options. They are not responsible for making regulatory decisions, determining what the “right” decision is, or aligning themselves with a particular interest group.

Professional vs. personal opinions Professional opinions should be based on fact and experience. Resource professionals should provide their professional and not personal opinions to decision makers.

Involvement vs. advocacy There can be a fine line between responsible involvement and advocacy. What’s an example of a situation where this might be difficult? When is it easier?

Opportunities to get involved Land-use planning process Zoning Policy Development

A resource, who me? Remember, natural resource professionals have knowledge, experience, and skills that can be of valuable assistance to communities making land-use decisions. If natural resources are not spoken for, they may not be considered. You are a valuable resource to your community!

Some ideas for getting started: Contact local decision makers and offer to provide relevant resource information Attend public meetings that relate to natural resource issues or join a planning committee Join the Chamber of Commerce or a local civic club

More ideas… Speak to local environmental groups Write letters to the editor of the local newspaper Spearhead a community festival to celebrate cultural or environmental resources What else?

Creating a statement Decision makers may request a written or spoken statement summarizing natural resource conditions or the implications of a land-use decision.

Participating in community meetings Keeping track of local meeting agendas and attending meetings can help you keep up-to-date with local events and issues and identify opportunities for involvement.

Representing your agency Wear your uniform Be friendly Remember that there are multiple perspectives, needs, objectives, and values involved in the decision Be careful to present a variety of potential solutions that may have worked for other communities

Public participation Public involvement helps ensure that multiple needs, perspectives, and interests are considered. Helps create ownership Can lead to greater acceptance of projects and decisions

Gaining public participation Local decision makers need to foster public involvement, but you can help Get to know the community Work to keep the community informed about resource issues Let them know their input is important to the process

Keep it simple! Make sure you have all relevant information Keep it simple, clear, concise Keep it professional Begin by stating the issue at hand List conditions and potential consequences to resources

Show both sides Include both potential positive and negative effects of the land-use decision If you’re asked for advice or the “answer”, remind the decision maker your role is not to make value judgments

"Growth is inevitable and desirable, but destruction of community character is not. The question is not whether your part of the world is going to change. The question is how." - Edward T. McMahon, The Conservation Fund

Summary The roles of natural resource professionals are rapidly changing as development continues to change natural areas. Resource professionals need new skills in order to become engaged with communities as they work to maximize benefits and reduce risks in the wildland-urban interface.

Credits Photos: Slides 3,4,6,16,30,41,45,47,48,49,50,51,52: Larry Korhnak Slides 22,23,33: Brett Billings, U.S. FWS, NCTC Slide 40 courtesy of NCSU College of Design Slide 26 (clockwise): photo 1: Anand Ranganathan, photo 2: Reed Saxon, Associated Press, photo 3: Larry Korhnak, photo 4: courtesy of NCSU College of Design Slide 34: photo 1: courtesy of Sewee Preserve, photo 2: Larry Korhnak Slide 55: photos 1 and 2: Larry Korhnak, photo 3: Caribbean National Forest, photo 4: Ponte Vedra High School Coalition, Inc. Literature: Slides 51-52: Randolph 2004.