Download - Sustainability in Discretionary Review
GREENING OUR DECISIONS
Sustainability in Discretionary Review
Nancy Bragado, AICPKathleen A. Garcia, FASLA LEED AP
The Environmental Imperati ve
• Growing environmental, economic, and security risks caused by carbon emissions and over-reliance on fossil fuels
• Increasing threats to local communities posed by climate change and economic instability
• Degradation of natural resources caused by urbanization and land development practices
• Increasing gaps in economic opportunity and resources
How Susta inable are We?
The SustainLane 2008 US City Rankings of the 50 most-populous cities www.sustainlane.com
Susta inabi l i ty Scan• Level 1 (Qualitative)
• Review of existing plans, policies, and regulations
• Evaluation of land use patterns and infrastructure systems
• Level 2 (Quantitative): Impact modeling of existing land use, zoning, and future land use plans (e.g., INDEX by Criterion Planners)
• Carbon footprint /greenhouse gas emissions
• Energy consumption• Stormwater runoff and nonpoint source
pollution• Traffic impact modeling• Fiscal impact modeling• Land consumption/development
patterns
Time to ra ise the bar
Climate change impact Water management Habitat protection Mobility Waste management Environmental justice
Eff ects of C l imate ChangeHow do planners deal with….
Sea Level rise, land use vulnerability
Migration of disease, increased ailments
Habitat loss and shift of temperature & rainfall zones affecting growing areas
Increased pests and pathogens
Wildfire and hurricanes increase
Source: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sustainability/images/greenhouse_effect.jpg
Eff ects of Hydrologic Change
How do planners deal with…. Flooding vulnerability Glacial and snowpack
retreat Drought increases Drinking water loss Shift of rainfall zones
affecting growing areas
science.hq.nasa.gov/oceans/images/water_cycle.jpg
Eff ects of B iomass ChangeHow do planners deal with….
Loss of valuable habitat
Loss of critical species Increased impervious
surfaces Lack of natural cover Windstorms,
sandstorms, dustbowl effect
How do we….?
Adapt to changing conditions
Influence trends to improve practice
Policies & Codes
Applicant Submission
Staff Review
Commission Findings
Approval
Discreti onary Review Process
Discreti onary Review Tools
The Comprehensive or General Plan Zoning Codes, Development Codes Conditional Use Permits & Variances Planned Unit Development Development Agreements Design Review Environmental Documentation (NEPA or
local equivalent)
Comprehensive P lan
Adaption Does Comp Plan address climate change impacts?
Influence Does it limit necessary Vehicle Miles Travelled?
mix of land uses Transit Oriented Development
Does it promote alternatives to vehicular travel? Strong pedestrian corridors Bikeways, transit and other mobility
pol icy review
Zoning and Permitspol icy review
Zoning codes often do not:
• Allow ‘mixed use’
• Promote transit oriented development
• Permit narrow streets
• Limit parking maximums
• Address streetscape or building design
Local Government Commission
Susta inable Community Development Code Framework
http://www.clarionassociates.com
Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute / Clarion Associates
R e m o v e o b s t a c l e s – I n c e n ti v e s - S t a n d a r d s
Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute / Clarion Associates
Design Reviewpol icy review
“Nautilus Earthship”, Taos, NM
Green Buildings Rating SystemLEEDUS Green Building Council’sLeadership in Energy & Environmental Design Rating System
LEED ND – N e i g h b o r h o o d D e v e l o p m e n t
pol icy review
Quarry Falls, Sudberry Properties
1. Smart Location & Linkages2. Neighborhood Pattern & Design3. Green Construction and
Technology4. Innovation and Design Process
Susta inable Project Att ributes
1. Adapting to conditions and influencing best practice
2. Self sufficiency in regard to resources3. Solving larger urban problems outside of project
boundaries
best pract ices
1. Adapti ng to Conditi ons
Sea level change and coastal erosion Protection from floods and levee stresses Increased wildfire risk Growing demands for water supply
2. Se l f Suffi ciency
1. Water and Energy harvesting
2. Storm water management
3. Appropriate horticulture
4. Wise materials (local, renewable, recycled)
5. Wise systems (low water, low energy)
best pract ices
3. Solv ing Larger Urban Problems
Heat island reduction Carbon sequestration through urban forests Public Health – no child left inside Environmental justice and equity for all Economic stimulus
PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Nancy BragadoCity of San DiegoPrincipal Planner
City of San Diego General Plan Comprehensive plan for growth
and development Smart growth approach tailored
for San Diego Relies on infill development to
meet City’s needs Sustainability policies integrated
throughout plan
General Plan
Addresses California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 Reduce state’s global
warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020
Will help implement 2008 legislation (SB 375) Reduce GHG through
land use and transportation planning
GHG Inventory Project Results
www.sandiego.edu/epic
2006 Levels 2020 BAU Projections AB 32 Target Executive Order S-3-05 Target (2050)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Hypothetical GHG Emissions Reduction Targets
San Diego County
MM
T C
O2E
ON-ROAD TRANS-PORTA-TION 46%
ELECTRIC-ITY 25%
NATURAL GAS
END USES9%
CIVIL AVIATION
5%
INDUS-TRIAL PRO-
CESSES AND
PRODUCTS5%
OTHER FUELS/OTHER
4%
OFF-ROAD EQUIP-
MENT AND VEHICLES
4% WASTE2%
AGRICULTURE/FORESTRY/LAND USE
2% RAIL1% WATER-BORNE NAVIGATION
0.4%
GHG Inventory Project Results
www.sandiego.edu/epic
GHG Emissions for San Diego County (2006)
General Plan: Land Use as a Sustainability Strategy
Population is growing How to plan for growth responsibly
and to achieve sustainability goals? City of Villages strategy
Links land use and transit planning Distinctive, mixed use villages Pedestrian oriented Interconnected streets Local destinations (stores, services,
parks, schools) Connected to transit Distinctive public places
Vi l lage Propens i ty MapVillage Propensity Map
Mobility StrategiesCars and trucks produce 46% of GHG emissions in San Diego County
Mobility StrategiesCars and trucks produce 46% of GHG emissions in San Diego County
Transit/Land Use Coordination Multi-modal solutions
Walkable communities Bicycle facilities Streets and freeways Transit and transit-orientation Parking management Transportation management
Toolboxes allow for tailored solutions
Regional Collaboration
Parking Toolbox:Supply and Demand Strategies
Parking Toolbox:Supply and Demand Strategies
Supply Re-stripe streets for
diagonal parking Community parking
facilities Adjust zoning
regulations Car lifts and
mechanized garages Code enforcement
Demand Parking meter districts Residential permit parking
districts Transit upgrades Car sharing Parking fees Safe pedestrian and bicycle
routes Employee parking
programs
Conservation Element Electricity use accounts for 25% of San Diego County GHG emissions
Conservation Element Electricity use accounts for 25% of San Diego County GHG emissions
Specifically addresses climate change Reduce carbon footprint Green buildings/sustainable development
Conserve and manage resources Water conservation Energy efficiency and renewables Waste management Wastewater collection and treatment Urban forestry
Conservation Element
Open Space Protections Smart Growth Ecosystem Services Urban Form
Benefits
San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program Comprehensive habitat
conservation planning 49,230 acres (93% of
City’s goal) are conserved or are obligated to be conserved.
Urban Design ElementUrban Design Element
Respect distinctive neighborhoods and enhance character
Create diverse, walkable, mixed-use villages Design vibrant public spaces and prominent civic
architecture
Economic Prosperity Element
City of San Diego Land Development Code
Commercial/Mixed-Use zones Pedestrian-Oriented Design
standards Parking reductions for mixed-use,
transit proximity Tandem parking in some areas Small lot and townhouse zones Landscape Standards
Street trees required Turf limited Water conservation mandates
Community Gardens code changes underway
Project Review: Transit-Oriented Design
Project Review: Traffic Multi-modal LOS standards
and impact thresholds Traffic impact study
guidelines consideration of alternative modes
Street Design Manual
Internal City Collaboration
Climate Protection Land Use, Housing,
Open Space Mobility Clean Tech and the
Economy Energy Water Waste Management Storm Water
42
Regional Col laborati onSANDAG
2004 – Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP)
2006 – Smart Growth Concept Map 2007 – Smart Growth Tool Box 2010 – Regional Climate Action Strategy 2010 – Urban Area Transit Strategy and
Regional Transportation Plan Update Includes Sustainable Communities
Strategy Environmental review will address
greenhouse gas emissions
The General Plan Action Plan
Identifies actions (implementation measures) derived from General Plan goals and policies
Organized by GP Element and timeframe
Sets key implementation priorities
Helps to inform the budget process
Will be used for annual monitoring of the General Plan
Adopted July 2009
General Plan Monitoring Report
Annual overview of progress
Detailed Action Plan matrix
Key Actions Community Plan
Updates Climate Initiatives
General Plan: http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/index.shtml
General Plan Action Plan: http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/index.shtml
Final Program Environmental Impact Report:http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/peir.shtml
Susta inable Community Pr inc iples• Energy
• Reduce fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions through the planning and design of communities, sites, and buildings
• Resiliency
• Reduce vulnerability to external environmental and economic threats through planning, design, and increased reliance on local resources, goods, and services
• Mobility
• Locate and design transportation systems to reduce reliance on the automobile and promote alternative modes
• Stewardship
• Preserve and restore natural, cultural, and built resources. Integrate natural and human ecological systems in the planning and design of communities
• Equity
• Provide housing, transportation, and employment opportunities for persons of all socioeconomic backgrounds and abilities
Checkl ist – Pol icy Level
Do your plans address climate change impacts? Do your plans encourage transit and pedestrian
mobility over the automobile? Do you conduct environmental reviews on all
projects? Do your ordinances address habitat protection,
water management, and resource protection? Do you have green building standards? Do your plans address the principles of Smart
Growth?
Checkl ist – Project Level
Has energy consumption been calculated and reduced below the norm?
Is the project in a threat zone for flood, hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster?
Does the site reutilize already-developed land? Has the project optimized non-motorized
mobility and reduced vehicle miles travelled? Is this a transit-oriented development? Are water resources and drainages protected and
improved?
Checkl ist – Project Level , c o n t .
Are agricultural lands preserved or does it support local food sources?
Are natural habitats preserved and enhanced? Does the project build to green building
standards? Will the project promote a green economy? Will the project provide affordable housing? Are the impacts and benefits equitable to all
segments of the population?
Our Susta inabi l i ty Chal lenge
Commissioners & Planners: Advance local knowledge, reaffirm values, motivate and regulate for the better environment
Community Activists: Ask questions, push for responsible, regional solutions
All: Adapt and influence
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I N D I S C R E T I O N A RY R E V I E W
Kathleen A. Garcia, FASLA LEED APNancy Bragado, AICP
www.wrtdesign.com