CCP 12-15-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Date: October 3, 2003 To: 35W Coalition Community Development Committee RE: 2020 Subregional Growth Study Implementation Strategies This memo outlines two ideas for grant projects that would implement the Growth Study's recommendation that Coalition cities plan for and encourage development of mixed-use centers, The strategies are intended to remove barriers for developers and to ensure that communities realize mixed-use development that is walkable, offers the range of housing and transportation choices, and incorporates environmental best practices. Communities are using these strategies as first steps to attract developers while at the same time initiating changes in suburban development patterns. We suggest discussing them at the October 9 meeting. Discussion topics might include: · Clarification of what the purpose of the projects and respective scopes . Prospects for local cities implementing project recommendations · Next Steps Coalition Growth Audit "Audits" are systematic reviews of existing comprehensive and other plans, policies, regulations, and practices for consistency with accepted growth principles, (Coalition growth principles are consistent with many of the principles that fall under the planning terms: "livable community" or "smart growth," The national models gathered for purposes of this discussion use the tenn Smart Growth in the titles. I realize the Coalition has chosen not to use this tenn, but these models seem to be good starting points because they are consistent with larger Coalition growth goals and they are adaptable to local preferences and needs.) Cities typically use audit results in two ways: 1) if plans are found consistent with growth principles, actual practices are then reviewed and either changed, implemented and monitored or simply implemented and monitored; and 2) if plans, policies, and regulations are inconsistent, recommended changes are addressed and then actual practices are reviewed, changed, if necessary, then implemented and monitored, If the Coalition does not want to engage in such a rigorous audit, it could modify the audit scope as appropriate, The Coalition has already completed or initiated work that would support a subregional audit-Jason's preliminary review of all seven comp plans, the housing and demographics study by John and Janne, the code enforcement work led by Nancy, the soon-to-be completed peer review of housing programs, and, as always, the work of the GIS task force, A booklet about audits is attached to this memo, It includes background information, practical considerations, a recommended audit checklist with commentary, and references. There also is a 2002 APA publication, Smart Growth Audits by Jerry Weitz and Leora Waldner, which has similar infonnation and a checklist with additional commentary,