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