1. Sustainable Communities Project

2. Sustainable Communities Federal Agencies Shaun Donovan US Housing & Urban Dev. Ray LaHood US Dept. of Trans. Lisa Jackson US Envir. Protection Agency

3. Livability Principles Provide more transportation choices Promote equitable, affordable housing Enhance economic competitiveness Support existing communities Coordinate policies and leverage investment Value communities and neighborhoods

4. Deputy HUD Secretary - Ron Sims said, “Regions that embrace sustainable communities will have a built-in competitive edge in attracting jobs and private investment. Planning our communities smarter means parents will spend less time driving and more time with their children. More families will live in safe, stable communities near good schools and jobs. And more businesses will have access to the capital and talent they need to grow and prosper.”

5. ENVIRONMENT ECONOMYSOCIETY Equitable social environment Sustainable natural & built environment Sustainable economic development SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

6. Sustainable Thurston

7. Executive Director Lon D. Wyrick stated: “We believe TRPC was successful because of the remarkable regional partnerships and vision of our members. Our policy makers have long recognized that transportation, land use, and economic development are inseparable and must be integrated in the planning process.”

8. sustainable thurston A community-wide conversation GOAL: To develop a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future as well as the actions and responsibilities to achieve it.  We’re not starting from scratch Did you know…. 40% of our built environment available in 2040 will be built between now and then? Did you know…. 40% of our built environment available in 2040 will be built between now and then?

9. sustainable thurston Sustainable Thurston Timeline Develop Scenarios Develop a Preferred Scenario & Regional Plans Initial Visioning & Stakeholder Engagement Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 2011Spring 201220122013 Public Outreach Phase 3 Develop Preferred Scenario & Regional Plans with Performance Measures Public Outreach Phase 2 Scenario Planning (through models) & Strategies to Achieve Goals Establish Vision & Goals to Achieve Vision Public Outreach Phase 1 Panel, Market Studies & Survey Work

10. sustainable thurston Products  Regional Plan for Sustainable Development  Regional Housing Plan  Sustainable Economic Strategy  County-wide Planning Policies  Addition of sustainability policy

11. sustainable thurston Identify what SUSTAINABILITY means in our community

12. sustainable thurston Figure out What it Takes to Get There

13. sustainable thurston What we learned: Confidence in Participation o 59% of participants believe that their actions and participation as individuals can affect the planning process and future of the region o 83.5% think that working together as a region to plan for the future will lead to improved quality of life

14. sustainable thurston What we learned o Collaboration and Cooperation is Essential o Resources are Getting More Limited, Leverage Resources, Make Every Dollar Count o Protect What Matters o Understanding Choice Matters to Build Community & Neighborhood Resilience o Everything is Related

15. sustainable thurston General Values  Quality of Life  Health and Well Being  Clean Air  Clean Water

16. sustainable thurston Values that are more Specific to Thurston Region  Place  Choice  Local Decisions – Cross Jurisdictional Collaboration  Natural Environment  Opportunity  Participation

17. sustainable thurston Emerging Issue Areas  Preservation of Rural Lands and Agriculture / Preservation of Property Rights  Individual Rights / Community Rights  Freedom / Regulation  More Services / Fewer Taxes  More Transportation Choices / Resistance to Growth and/or Density  More Jobs / Less People  More Local Walkable Neighborhood Businesses / Resistance to Neighborhood Density

18. Vision Distinct, Livable Communities …all supported by the right mix of transportation facilities and services. Pastoral Rural areas Resilient Small Cities Healthy Suburbs Vibrant Urban n’hoods & Corridors Dynamic City Centers

19. Build Options for: Rural Areas Small Cities Suburbs Corridors & Close in Neighborhoods City Centers Places And address other sustainability topics (i.e. energy efficiency, water conservation …)

20. sustainable thurston Growth is likely to continue:  High Quality of Life  State Capital  Joint Base Lewis-McChord  Interstate 5-Corridor  Regional Medical and Shopping Hub  Relatively Affordable  Historic high growth rates People are willing to drive long distances to live here Population and Employment Model Trends

21. sustainable thurston Demographics Population Aged 65 plus   Percent of population aged 65+ will increase   We’ve already seen increased demand for senior housing

22. sustainable thurston Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future CHOICES  Our population demographics are changing  The community needs places that work for an aging population  Driving less saves money, and using less gas reduces the amount of energy we consume

23. sustainable thurston Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future HOUSEHOLD FINANCES  Saving on transportation costs is important for people on limited household budgets

24. sustainable thurston Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future TRAVEL AND HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS  Budgets are getting tighter  How we travel to jobs affects our household budget  The closer we live to work – the more we save on transportation costs

25. sustainable thurston Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future COST OF SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE  Compact communities need fewer miles of infrastructure – such as roads and water lines – than communities that are spread out  Compact communities are more efficiently served by services such as fire, medic, police and transit

26. sustainable thurston Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future ACTIVE PLACES - SMALL BUSINESSES  Housing in centers provides more customers for businesses  Vital urban places and activities attract “innovators” who start businesses

27. sustainable thurston Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future WALKABILITY  Improve walkability in neighborhoods  Locate housing in areas with access to goods and services

28. sustainable thurston Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future HEALTH  Obesity is on the rise.  We need communities that are walkable.  Walkable Communities enhance health  5% increase in neighborhood walkability linked to 32% increase in minutes of walking or biking (Seattle Study).

29. sustainable thurston Livability Principles Provide more transportation choices Promote equitable, affordable housing Enhance economic competitiveness Support existing communities Coordinate policies and leverage investment Value communities and neighborhoods

30. sustainable thurston Vision Distinct, Livable Communities …all supported by the right mix of transportation facilities and services. Pastoral Rural areas Resilient Small Cities Healthy Suburbs Vibrant Urban n’hoods & Corridors Dynamic City Centers

31. sustainable thurston A lack of efficient alternatives to automobile travel disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as the poor, the elderly, people who have disabilities and children by limiting access to jobs, health care, social interaction, and healthy foods. - United We Ride

32. sustainable thurston What did we learn from the ADA? Communities that work for people with special needs work better for everyone!

33. sustainable thurston Improving the Built Environment - Strategies  Use Universal Design  Accommodate changing needs as we age  Require Complete Streets  Fix broken/missing sidewalks  Improve intersection markings  Increase Xing times  Focus on people!

34. sustainable thurston Focus on People – Cultural Competency  Not just about language/translation  Programs relevant/appropriate & effective no matter the audience  What are the needs of various communities?  Work directly with people!

35. sustainable thurston Sustainable, Equitable Transit-Oriented Development  Revamp coordinated long range planning processes  Use Livability Principles to develop new $$ priorities  Implement Housing + Transportation Affordability Index  Enhance Comprehensive Technical Assistance Programs

36. sustainable thurston CONTACT: www.sustainablethurston.org Karen Parkhurst Thurston Regional Planning Council parkhuk@trpc.org 360.956.7575