Post on 25-Jan-2017
transcript
Development in our Neighborhood and
Sustainability“Sustainable Ballard, a Blueprint for Everytown, USA, educates, inspires, and engages neighbors to take action to live more sustainably both individually and collectively. Our vision is an inclusive, joyful, sustainable community co-creating a world, for this and future generations, where eco-systems are healthy and peace is inevitable.”
Outline• What is Sustainability?• Our Stories• Planning Framework – Where • Global > Regional Problems – Why• Planning for Sustainability – What• Neighborhood Planning Toward a
Sustainable Seattle – How • A Role for Everyone
What is Sustainability?“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” – Bruntland Commission, 1987
“Then I say the earth belongs to each generation during its course, fully and in its own right, [but] no generation can contract debts greater than can be paid during the course of its own existence.” – Thomas Jefferson
“We are part of the earth and the earth is part of us.” – Chief Sealth
What is Sustainability?
The Natural Step Funnel
My Story
“This family supported by timber dollars.”
Your Story
Talk to your neighbor and discuss:–Why are you interested in sustainability?
–What’s your sustainability story?
Planning Framework – Where Growth Management Act
“The legislature finds that uncoordinated and unplanned growth, together with a lack of common goals expressing the public’s interest in the conservation and the wise use of our lands, pose a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety, and high quality of life enjoyed by residents of this state…” (RCW 36.70A.010)
Planning Framework – Where
Graphic Courtesy of PSRC
CURRENT LAND USE
Seattle
Tacoma
Everett
King County
Kittitas County Pierce County
Snohomish County
Seattle
Tacoma
Everett
King County
Kittitas County Pierce County
Snohomish County
2100 ALTERNATIVE FUTURE
Seattle
Tacoma
Everett
King County
Kittitas County Pierce County
Snohomish County
2100 “PLANNING” FUTURE
New Map1TacomaTacoma
PuyallupPuyallup River
River
Prime FarmlandPrime Farmland
Puget SoundPuget Sound
TacomaTacoma
Puyallup River
Puyallup River
Prime Farmland ?Prime Farmland ?
Puget SoundPuget Sound
Would you rather locate you business here…Or here…
Planning Framework – Where
Would you rather locate you business here…Or here…
Benefits of Compact Growth• Reduced GHG Emissions• Housing and Transportation
Affordability• Infrastructure and Fiscal Savings• Cleaner Air and Water• Walkable Neighborhoods• Improved Public Health• Conserves Natural and Resource
Lands
Planning Framework – Where State – Growth Management Act
Region – PSRC Vision 2040
County-wide Planning Policies
City – Comprehensive Plan
Development Regulations
Project ReviewNeighborhood Plan
Would you rather locate you business here…Or here…
Urban Village Strategy – Where
“The strategy of focusing future development in urban villages continues to direct new development away from Seattle’s single-family areas.”
Would you rather locate you business here…Or here…
Would you rather locate you business here…Or here…
Urban Village – Where
“By concentrating growth in these urban villages, Seattle can build on successful aspects of the city’s existing urban character, continuing the development of concentrated, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use neighborhoods of varied intensities at appropriate locations throughout the city.”
Would you rather locate you business here…Or here…
Urban Village Strategy – Where
“No increases in designated residential densities or increases in the allowable intensity of commercial uses beyond those specified in the existing Land Use Code shall be sought for the neighborhood under the Queen Anne Plan.” – Policy LU3.1
Would you rather locate you business here…Or here…
Growth in Our Region – Where
From 2000 – 2007: • 307,000 More People• 45,000 in Outer Suburbs• 41,000 in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue,
Everett and Bremerton• 80,000 Outside of Regional Growth
Centers• Significant Growth Outside of UGAs
Global Problems – Climate Change – Why
Global Problems – Peak Oil – Why
Global Problems – Population Growth – Why
Global Problems – Biodiversity Loss – Why
Global Problems – Economic Meltdown – Why
Regional Problems – Energy and Climate Uncertainty – Why
Whitechuck Glacier – 1973
Whitechuck Glacier – 2006
Regional Problems – Energy and Climate Uncertainty – Why
Regional Problems – Puget Sound – Why
Regional Problems – Infrastructure – Why
Regional Problems – Economic Meltdown – Why
Regional Problems – Population Growth – Why
Graphic Courtesy of PSRC
So Many Problems!!!
Planning for Sustainability – What
“The best way to predict the future is to plan it.” – Buckminster Fuller
• We have the SOLUTIONS to these problems• Why aren’t we TALKING about these issues?• We have to ACT NOW• YOU can make a difference• TOGETHER, WE CAN solve these problems
Planning for Sustainability – What
• Existing planning framework about accommodating expected growth, but…
• WE CAN DO MORE!!!– Land Use and Transportation– Building Construction and Energy
Efficiency– Local Economic Development– Community Involvement
Planning for Sustainability – What
Planning for Sustainability – What
Planning for Sustainability – What
Planning for Sustainability – What
• One Planet Living• American Planning Association Planning Guide for
Sustainability• The Natural Step for Communities• Post Carbon Institute• Resilient Cities• Earth Charter Community Action Tool• Aalborg Commitments• Urban Environmental Accords • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for
Neighborhood Development • ICLEI (Under development)• Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute
Planning for Sustainability – What
• Social Equity• Economic Opportunity and Security• Environmental Stewardship• Transportation Choices• Participatory Planning Process• Educate >> Baseline >> Vision >>
Strategies >> Actions >> Evaluation and Reporting
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How
Problem Statement: How to Incorporate Sustainability into the Neighborhood Plan Updates in a Tangible and Measurable Fashion?
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans “The long term social, economic and environmental health of our community. A sustainable culture thrives without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
• Comp Plan Core Values– Community– Economic Opportunity and Security– Environmental Stewardship– Social Equity
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans Zero CarbonAchieve net CO2 emissions of zero from OPL developments.
Zero WasteEliminate waste flows to landfill and for incineration.
Sustainable TransportReduce reliance on private vehicles and achieve major reductions of CO2 emissions from transport.
Local and Sustainable MaterialsTransform materials supply to the point where it has a net positive impact on the environment and local economy.
Local and Sustainable FoodTransform food supply to the point where it has a net positive impact on the environment, local economy and peoples’ well-being.
Sustainable WaterAchieve a positive impact on local water resources and supply.
Natural Habitats and WildlifeRegenerate degraded environments and halt biodiversity loss.
Culture and HeritageProtect and build on local cultural heritage and diversity.
Equity and Fair TradeEnsure that the OPL community’s impact on other communities is positive.
Health and HappinessIncrease health and quality of life of OPL community members and others.
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans • Sustainable Transport
– Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle Transport– Addressed in EVERY plan
• Walkability, bicycle improvements, pedestrian amenities and transit
• Example:– Queen Anne – Multi-modal enhancements
• “Encourage land uses and urban character development which will facilitate the establishment of a high-capacity transit/multi-modal node(s) in the Urban Center…”
– EVERY other plan
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans • Culture and Heritage
– Vision Statements: Preserve Neighborhood Character
– Preserve Cultural and Historic Character
• Example: – Queen Anne – Preserve Neighborhood
Character– “Preserve the individual characteristics of the
single-family and mixed-use neighborhoods.”
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans • Health and Happiness
– Quality of Life• Public Safety, community revitalization, and
natural amenities• Live, work, shop, play
• Example:– Queen Anne – Seattle Center
– “Encourage Seattle Center to plan and implement development which will enhance the quality of life in the Queen Anne neighborhood.”
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans • OPL Principles
– Equity and Fair Trade– Zero Waste– Local Materials– Local Food
• Contain Many Elements – Lack Framework
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans • Reduced Auto Dependence vs. Increased Parking
– Belltown Transportation Vision: Live Without a Car vs. Adequate Parking
– Queen Anne: “Too much auto use” on the same page as “inadequate parking for shops/office and inadequate parking for multifamily and single family areas.”
• Affordable Housing vs. Encroachments on Single-Family– Green Lake Rejection of any more low income housing
units– Queen Anne: “Threats to single-family neighborhoods”
are noted along with “lack of affordable housing” and “decreasing range of option in housing types.”
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Existing
Plans • Transportation Choices
• Neighborhood Character
• Quality of Life
• Affordable Housing
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus
Groups6 Sectors – 3 Focus Groups per Sector
“Sustainability has been discussed a lot in the media lately and is a key component of the city’s approach to the next round of plans. Have there been changes in your neighborhood that you would call sustainable? (Were the changes related to items in the previous plans?)”
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus
Groups• Sustainability
– Varying Levels of Knowledge– Need for Consistent Definition– Neighborhood Impacts
“You need to give a definition of sustainable. If you’re going to ask that question you must have a definition.” – West Sector Participant“Sustainability on the neighborhood level is different. Other than design, what is there? Storm water, transportation, and habitat – these are broader than the neighborhood.” – Northwest Sector Participant
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus
Groups• Transportation
– Frustration with Infrastructure– Improve Transit– Concerns over Parking– Walkability
“It’s a question of infrastructure – the transportation infrastructure is not being built to accommodate the new density. It is Ron Sims’ stated policy to make driving a car so inconvenient that people will do other things. But there are no “other things” to do!” – West Sector Participant“It’s not sustainable when you have growth with a lack of amenities – you can't get around by bus. It's a big problem.” – Northwest Sector Participant
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Focus
Groups• Neighborhood Character
– Aesthetics of New Development– Challenges of Density and Development– Housing Affordability
“The biggest threat (to my neighborhood) is terrible architectural design.” – Southwest Sector Participant“We are losing the character that originally drew us to particular neighborhoods – that’s not sustainable.” – West Sector Participant“Low-income residents are already here, but new housing is not affordable. The City is not encouraging upgrade of existing housing stock. Not everyone qualifies for subsidized housing; we need to maintain existing stock.” – Southeast Sector Participant
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle –
Prospects• Need a Consistent Definition of
Sustainability– Holistic Framework with Supporting
Principles• Connect the Dots
– Established Values and Goals to Strategies
• City-wide Assessment– Measure What Matters
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Educate
• Social Equity• Comp Plan Core Value and Common Theme in Frameworks
• Economic Opportunity and Security• Comp Plan Core Value and Common Theme in Frameworks
• Affordable Housing• Urban Village and Environmental Stewardship in Comp Plan and Existing Plans
• Transportation Choices• Every Existing Plan, Comp Plan and Common Theme in Frameworks
• Tightly Woven Communities• Every Existing Plan, Comp Plan and Common Theme in Frameworks
• Local Food• Common Theme from Frameworks, but Missing from Comp Plan and Existing Plans
• Environmental Stewardship• Comp Plan Core Value and Common Theme in Frameworks
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle –
Baseline• Persons Covered by Health Insurance• Poverty Rate• Housing and Transportation Affordability Index• Vehicle Miles Traveled• People Who Volunteer in Community Activities• Acreage of P-Patches• Renewable Energy Potential
– Wind– Solar– Geothermal
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Vision
“A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. But a vision with a plan can change the world.” – An Old Proverb
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle –
Strategies• Co-location of Public Services• “Green Jobs” Training Programs• Enhanced Incentive Zoning, Reduced Parking
Requirements• Light Rail, Streetcar, Bike Facilities• Design Guidelines > Form Based Code >
Sustainable Development Code• Transfer of Development Rights, Permit
Greenhouses• Green Building Incentives and Standards• Green Infrastructure Incentives and Standards• Incentives for Incorporating Renewable Energy
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – Evaluate and
Report
• Determine Effectiveness of Investments
• Update Neighborhood Plan
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How
• Community Centers• Libraries• Parks
• Renewable Energy• Transportation Choices• Affordable Green Buildings• Local Food• Financing Plan for Neighborhood Amenities
Neighborhood Planning Toward a Sustainable Seattle – How
• Educate– HONEST CONVERSATION about the issues
• Baseline– KNOWLEDGE of current situation
• Vision– Think LONG-TERM
• Strategies/Actions– We have the SOLUTIONS– ACT NOW
• Evaluate and Report– TOGETHER, WE CAN plan for sustainability
Planning for Sustainability – Benefits
• Reduced impact on environment
• Less economic vulnerability
• Stronger community
• More peace, less war
A Role For Everyone• Sustainability is NOT a code word
– Seattleites are already asking for it!
• We can do more than plan for expected growth…– We can plan for sustainability
• WE ALL NEED TO LEAD
Questions For Discussion• What problems are we trying to solve with our planning
decisions?– How would the decisions change if we focused on solving different
problems?• How can we have more conversations about the long-term
social, environmental and economic consequences of our planning decisions?
• How do we ensure that planning decisions which make long-term sense don’t have negative short-term impacts?
• Does any of this matter if we don’t address population growth at both the national and international levels?– Should we shift our focus to rural renewal and repopulating our
small farming towns?
Peak Oil“ The days of inexpensive,
convenient, abundant energy are quickly drawing to a close.” – US Army, 2005
“…a shortfall of oil supplies caused by world conventional oil peaking will sharply increase oil prices and oil price volatility.” – US Dept. of Energy, 2006
Peak OilThe Importance of Oil:• Transportation• Pharmaceuticals• Agricultural Products (oil-based pesticides)• Chemicals and Plastics• National Defense• Home Heating• Food Production and Distribution
Peak OilAlternatives to Oil – EROI:• Deepwater and Polar Oil
– Risky and Expensive• Tar Sands and Oil Shale
– Environmental Disaster• Coal
– Environmental Disaster• Nuclear
– Fuel Supply, Safety, Cost• Hydrogen
– Energy Carrier• Biofuels
– Food vs. Fuel
Climate Benefit District“A neighborhood-level response that integrates the essential components of green, livable urbanism.”
Designed to:– Focus affordable development in appropriate locations to
maximize transit use and preserve rural areas– Leverage public investment to encourage the green
economy– Connect land use and transportation best practices and
policies to meet GHG reduction goals– Synchronize efforts across the state, giving cities the
same set of tools that streamline regulations, incentives and financing mechanisms
Climate Benefit District