Central California Planning Commissioners’ Workshop May 13, 2011 Barbara Steck, AICP, Deputy Director Fresno Council of Governments 2035 Tulare Street, Suite 201 Fresno, CA (559)

Fresno COG Fresno Council of Governments A Regional Planning Agency A voluntary association of local governments; includes the 15 cities and the County of Fresno Primary functions: Regional Transportation Plan Transportation Improvement Program Measure “C” Expenditure Plan Transportation Fund Administration Computerized transportation modeling Traffic monitoring program and soon to come… Sustainable Communities Strategies

Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges facing humanity. What is “Sustainable Development”? How does the COG address it?

San Joaquin Valley Includes:  8 Counties, 62 Cities and 8 COGs  2010 Population ~ 4 million  Accounts for 10.6% of State’s population  2050 Population ~ projected to be 9.5 million (anticipated to absorb 25% of new growth to 2050) Imagine 10 additional Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Areas in the Valley by the Year 2050)

Why Blueprint? Changing Demographics

Eight individual COGs planning in unison. Included both County level and Valley level Phase 1: Values and Vision – gathered from extensive community input Phase 2: Goals, Objectives and Performance Measures - developed from Values Phase 3: Evaluation of alternative “what if” growth scenarios in each county and selection of preferred county level scenarios for Valleywide analysis. SJV Blueprint Planning Process

Four Scenarios for Valleywide Comparison

San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council (2 elected officials from each of the 8 SJV COG Boards) On April 1, 2009 the SJV Regional Policy Council reviewed the Valley COGs’ collaborative work on the Blueprint and took the following actions. Adopted a list of Smart Growth Principles to be used as the basis of Blueprint planning in the San Joaquin Valley. Adopted Growth Scenario B+ which represented the preferred scenario from each of the 8 SJV COGs

A Range of housing opportunities and choices Walkable neighborhoods Community and stakeholder collaboration Attractive communities with a sense of place Predictable, fair and cost effective development regulations Mixed land uses Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas A variety of transportation choices Direct development towards existing communities Compact building design Enhance the economic vitality of the region Environmental resource management San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Smart Growth Principles

Adopted Scenario B+ as the Preferred Blueprint Growth Scenario for the San Joaquin Valley to the year  This scenario promotes a more compact development pattern which will conserve land, reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality. It is a step toward sustainable development.  The preferred scenario will serve as guidance for the Valley’s local jurisdictions with land use authority as they update their general plans.

SJV Blueprint ~ Comparison Average Dwelling Units per Acre by County

~ Next Steps ~ Integration… The eight Valley Regional Planning Agencies are committed to working with their member agencies – the 62 cities and 8 counties in the Valley, as well as other regional partners such as Smart Valley Places, to integrate the Valley Blueprint principles and concepts into their general plans. At the same time, the COGs will be addressing the requisites of SB 375 and the sustainable communities strategy…

The Blueprint Roadmap