What is Smart Growth What is Smart Growth and who gets to decide and who gets to decide

what it is?what it is?

What is Smart Growth? What is Smart Growth? (Variety of sources)(Variety of sources)

Smart growth is an urban planning and transportation Smart growth is an urban planning and transportation theory theory that concentrates growth in the center of a city to avoid urban that concentrates growth in the center of a city to avoid urban sprawl; and advocates ...sprawl; and advocates ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_growth

Well-planned Well-planned developmentdevelopment that protects open space and farmland, revitalizes communities, keeps housing affordable and that protects open space and farmland, revitalizes communities, keeps housing affordable and provides more transportation ...provides more transportation ...m.venturacountystar.com/news/2004/Mar/11/land-use-glossary/ m.venturacountystar.com/news/2004/Mar/11/land-use-glossary/

A A perspective, method, and goalperspective, method, and goal for managing the growth of a community. It focuses on the long-term implications of growth for managing the growth of a community. It focuses on the long-term implications of growth and how it may affect the community, instead of viewing growth as an end in itself. ...and how it may affect the community, instead of viewing growth as an end in itself. ...www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/glossary.htm www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/glossary.htm

A A pro-growth approachpro-growth approach to guiding development into more convenient patterns and into areas where infrastructure allows to guiding development into more convenient patterns and into areas where infrastructure allows growth to be sustained over ...growth to be sustained over ...www.rebuildingi93.com/content/acro/ www.rebuildingi93.com/content/acro/

Environmentally-sensitive Environmentally-sensitive land developmentland development with the goals of minimizing dependence on auto transportation, reducing air with the goals of minimizing dependence on auto transportation, reducing air pollution, and making ...pollution, and making ...www.pacebus.com/sub/vision2020/glossary.asp www.pacebus.com/sub/vision2020/glossary.asp

"Smart growth" covers a range of "Smart growth" covers a range of development and conservation strategiesdevelopment and conservation strategies that help protect our natural environment and that help protect our natural environment and make our communities more attractive, economically stronger and more socially diverse. ...make our communities more attractive, economically stronger and more socially diverse. ...www.gogreenva.org/ www.gogreenva.org/

Development in or near citiesDevelopment in or near cities intended to lessen or reverse suburban sprawl, decrease the use of automobiles, and shorten intended to lessen or reverse suburban sprawl, decrease the use of automobiles, and shorten daily travel. Smart Growth occurs in or near existing transportation centers, such as subway stations. ...daily travel. Smart Growth occurs in or near existing transportation centers, such as subway stations. ...www.csa.com/discoveryguides/china/gloss.php www.csa.com/discoveryguides/china/gloss.php

an oxymoronic an oxymoronic political sloganpolitical slogan used mostly by Democratic Party officials who wish to construct more overdevelopment while used mostly by Democratic Party officials who wish to construct more overdevelopment while placating constituencies ...placating constituencies ...www.permatopia.com/dictionary.html www.permatopia.com/dictionary.html

Policies, legislation, regulations, procedures and strategiesPolicies, legislation, regulations, procedures and strategies that attempt to achieve more compact, efficient, mixed-use that attempt to achieve more compact, efficient, mixed-use development, tied to existing infrastructure and facilities by using such techniques as transfer of development rights (TDR) development, tied to existing infrastructure and facilities by using such techniques as transfer of development rights (TDR) growth boundaries, targeted public and private ...growth boundaries, targeted public and private ...www.fortmillsc.org/client_resources/compplan/key_terminology.doc www.fortmillsc.org/client_resources/compplan/key_terminology.doc

Real answer: Ultimately We Real answer: Ultimately We ALL do!ALL do!

However, in the meantime However, in the meantime here’s what the CGS says.here’s what the CGS says.

Substitute House Bill No. 6467 (As Substitute House Bill No. 6467 (As Amended), Section 1 (1)Amended), Section 1 (1)

"Smart Growth" means economic, social "Smart Growth" means economic, social and environmental development that and environmental development that (A) promotes, through financial and other (A) promotes, through financial and other

incentives, economic competitiveness in the incentives, economic competitiveness in the state while preserving natural resources, state while preserving natural resources, and and

(B) utilizes a collaborative approach to (B) utilizes a collaborative approach to planning, decision-making and evaluation planning, decision-making and evaluation between and among all levels of government between and among all levels of government and the communities and the constituents and the communities and the constituents they serve; andthey serve; and

Substitute House Bill No. Substitute House Bill No. 6467 (As Amended), 6467 (As Amended), Section 1(2)Section 1(2)

"Principles of smart growth" means "Principles of smart growth" means standards and objectives that support standards and objectives that support and encourage smart growth when used and encourage smart growth when used to guide actions and decisions, including, to guide actions and decisions, including, but not limited to, standards and criteria but not limited to, standards and criteria for for

Substitute House Bill No. 6467 (As Substitute House Bill No. 6467 (As Amended), Section 1(2) (cont'd)Amended), Section 1(2) (cont'd) (A) integrated planning or investment that coordinates (A) integrated planning or investment that coordinates

tax, transportation, housing, environmental and tax, transportation, housing, environmental and economic development policies at the state, regional economic development policies at the state, regional and local level, and local level,

(B) the reduction of reliance on the property tax by (B) the reduction of reliance on the property tax by municipalities by creating efficiencies and coordination municipalities by creating efficiencies and coordination of services on the regional level while reducing of services on the regional level while reducing interlocal competition for grand list growth, interlocal competition for grand list growth,

(C) the redevelopment of existing infrastructure and (C) the redevelopment of existing infrastructure and resources, including, but not limited to brownfields and resources, including, but not limited to brownfields and historic places, historic places,

(D) transportation choices that provide alternatives to (D) transportation choices that provide alternatives to automobiles, including rail, public transit, bikeways and automobiles, including rail, public transit, bikeways and walking, while reducing energy consumption, walking, while reducing energy consumption,

Substitute House Bill No. 6467 (As Substitute House Bill No. 6467 (As Amended), Section 1(2) (cont'd)Amended), Section 1(2) (cont'd)

(E) the development or preservation of housing (E) the development or preservation of housing affordable to households of varying income in locations affordable to households of varying income in locations proximate to transportation or employment centers or proximate to transportation or employment centers or locations compatible with smart growth, locations compatible with smart growth,

(F) concentrated, mixed-use, mixed income (F) concentrated, mixed-use, mixed income development proximate to transit nodes and civic, development proximate to transit nodes and civic, employment or cultural centers, andemployment or cultural centers, and

(G) the conservation and protection of natural (G) the conservation and protection of natural resources by resources by (i) preserving open space, water resources, (i) preserving open space, water resources,

farmland, environmentally sensitive areas and farmland, environmentally sensitive areas and historic properties, andhistoric properties, and

(ii) furthering energy efficiency.(ii) furthering energy efficiency.

Smart Growth sounds a lot like Smart Growth sounds a lot like sustainability… What is sustainability… What is sustainability?sustainability?

One representation of Sustainability*

(*Brundtland Commission UN 1987)

Social

Environment Economic

Bearable

Viable

Equitable

sustainable

Simsbury’s Smart Growth Simsbury’s Smart Growth & Sustainable Vision & Sustainable Vision

One technique used by Simsbury in an One technique used by Simsbury in an attempt to create a sustainable vision for attempt to create a sustainable vision for the Town’s future is a charrette.the Town’s future is a charrette.

Charrettes have been around for many Charrettes have been around for many years, so how do they apply to the years, so how do they apply to the relatively new concept of sustainability as relatively new concept of sustainability as it applies to local and regional it applies to local and regional government planning?government planning?

First of all, what is a First of all, what is a “charrette” ?“charrette” ?

A charrette is a multiple-day design and A charrette is a multiple-day design and planning workshop held on-site and planning workshop held on-site and inclusive of all affected stakeholdersinclusive of all affected stakeholders..

The term is derived from Old French. The term is derived from Old French. ProfessorsProfessors at the at the EEcole des Beaux Arts in cole des Beaux Arts in Paris, 19Paris, 19thth century collected architecture century collected architecture students’ final drawings in a students’ final drawings in a cartcart for jury for jury critiques while students frantically put finishing critiques while students frantically put finishing touches on their work. touches on their work.

Why would you as a public official Why would you as a public official or a member of the public want to or a member of the public want to do a charrette?do a charrette?

Reinstills lost or damaged faith in the land use Reinstills lost or damaged faith in the land use process.process.

Creates transparency in the eyes of the public, Creates transparency in the eyes of the public, especially the skeptical.especially the skeptical.

Creates consensus and public buy-in to the Creates consensus and public buy-in to the land use process.land use process.

Quiets NIMBYism significantly.Quiets NIMBYism significantly. If done well, promotes sound, smart growth.If done well, promotes sound, smart growth.

Critical elements of a Critical elements of a charrettecharrette

Charrette managerCharrette manager. The selection of this . The selection of this person is absolutely critical! Experience, person is absolutely critical! Experience, management expertise and “invisible” process management expertise and “invisible” process control is essential.control is essential.

AdvertiseAdvertise: News articles, flyers, posters, town : News articles, flyers, posters, town website, blog, facebook, banners Community website, blog, facebook, banners Community TV, others.TV, others.

Stakeholder Identification and invitation.Stakeholder Identification and invitation. SchedulesSchedules; community, charrette team, ; community, charrette team,

commissions.commissions. Food, timing and many other elements.Food, timing and many other elements.

What was done in What was done in Simsbury in the past.Simsbury in the past.

Typical POCDs with little follow up.Typical POCDs with little follow up. Dated (at best) Subdivision Regulations.Dated (at best) Subdivision Regulations. ““Use based” Zoning Regulations Use based” Zoning Regulations

(outdated… at best).(outdated… at best). Design Review Board established 1988 Design Review Board established 1988

as advisory to Zoning and Planning as advisory to Zoning and Planning CommisisonsCommisisons

Also done in the past…Also done in the past…(turning the corner)(turning the corner)

1998 a 3 day Vision Plan Charrette was held. 1998 a 3 day Vision Plan Charrette was held. Good plan. No real follow up. No reg produced.Good plan. No real follow up. No reg produced.

2006 complete Zoning Regulation revision 2006 complete Zoning Regulation revision initiated and still underway. initiated and still underway.

2007 POCD completed after 4 year process. 2007 POCD completed after 4 year process. Recommended Form Based Code.Recommended Form Based Code.

2007 Public independent polling effort 2007 Public independent polling effort conducted re various development issues.conducted re various development issues.

What have we done for What have we done for Simsbury lately?Simsbury lately?

In the past 2 years the Town of Simsbury has:In the past 2 years the Town of Simsbury has: Interviewed 8 nationally known, experienced code Interviewed 8 nationally known, experienced code

consultants.consultants. Found small amounts of grant money (not enough).Found small amounts of grant money (not enough). Established a BOS Charrette subcommittee with all Established a BOS Charrette subcommittee with all

land use and BOF and DRB chairs. (key coord.)land use and BOF and DRB chairs. (key coord.) Continued the regulation revision process with Continued the regulation revision process with

monthly workshops for Zoning Commission.monthly workshops for Zoning Commission. Conducted the pre-charrette process and the actual Conducted the pre-charrette process and the actual

charrette process. AS FOLLOWS:charrette process. AS FOLLOWS:

Some of Simsbury’s Some of Simsbury’s Sustainable EffortsSustainable EffortsMajor Focus Issues:Major Focus Issues:Land Use Initiatives including Town Land Use Initiatives including Town Center Planning Center Planning CharretteCharrette, 9/09., 9/09.Incentive Housing ZoneIncentive Housing Zone study study currently under way looking at 7 highly currently under way looking at 7 highly varied sites for possible location of varied sites for possible location of IHZ overlay zones for higher density IHZ overlay zones for higher density housing. (OPM)housing. (OPM) Historical Structures Survey (CTHP)Historical Structures Survey (CTHP) LID studyLID study with application to new with application to new urbanist type development. (DEP)urbanist type development. (DEP)

Charrette Study AreaCharrette Study Area

One of several religious One of several religious institutions in Town Centerinstitutions in Town Center

A Town Center Office A Town Center Office Building (Bank, Art Gallery)Building (Bank, Art Gallery)

Town Center Historic Hotel Town Center Historic Hotel (Eno, Pinchot, Olmstead)(Eno, Pinchot, Olmstead)

Town Center Charrette Town Center Charrette September 11-16, 2009September 11-16, 2009

Activities: (Consultant Team, Staff and Activities: (Consultant Team, Staff and Volunteers) Volunteers)

Create “Illustrative Plan” for sustainable Create “Illustrative Plan” for sustainable buildout of Town Center. (40 year plan)buildout of Town Center. (40 year plan)

Build Public Consensus for possible “form-Build Public Consensus for possible “form-based” code/zoning regulation.based” code/zoning regulation.

Draft a new code for Town Center which Draft a new code for Town Center which contains a sustainable vision for the Town contains a sustainable vision for the Town Center, 12/09.Center, 12/09.

Adopt new zoning code, 1/10.Adopt new zoning code, 1/10.

Issues addressed at Issues addressed at Charrette sessions:Charrette sessions:

Housing (Cross coordination with IHZ effort).Housing (Cross coordination with IHZ effort). Preservation of Town character (varies throughout Preservation of Town character (varies throughout

study area).study area). Crossings and Connections for pedestrians, bikes and Crossings and Connections for pedestrians, bikes and

vehicles.vehicles. Slow down vehicles on Route 10. Reclaim road as a Slow down vehicles on Route 10. Reclaim road as a

real “Main Street.”real “Main Street.” Activity in Town Center, more people and mix of uses.Activity in Town Center, more people and mix of uses. Better signage, wayfinding for retail and recreational Better signage, wayfinding for retail and recreational

users.users. Rethink large parking lot usage for the future.Rethink large parking lot usage for the future.

Charrette Products:Charrette Products:

Creation of significant infill development which: Creation of significant infill development which: Increases residential opportunities downtown,Increases residential opportunities downtown, Respects historic structures, Respects historic structures, Observes environmental constraints,Observes environmental constraints, Improves pedestrian circulation and promotes Improves pedestrian circulation and promotes

walkability and increased recreational walkability and increased recreational opportunities,opportunities,

Improves local business opportunities based on Improves local business opportunities based on public input, for office and retail in scale with public input, for office and retail in scale with center.center.

Restores public confidence in the public Restores public confidence in the public process.process.

Charrette Process;Charrette Process; Full House Full House

A section of new Town A section of new Town Center. Center.

Existing Conditions:Existing Conditions:

Partial Buildout; Partial Buildout; Pilot projectPilot project

A buildout possibilityA buildout possibility

Another possibility, Another possibility, Same locationSame location

Now for the final steps:Now for the final steps:

Present new FBC Zoning Code to Present new FBC Zoning Code to Zoning Commission, January 2010.Zoning Commission, January 2010.

Hold public hearing as required by Hold public hearing as required by CGS.CGS.

Adopt new Town Center Zoning Code, Adopt new Town Center Zoning Code, in January 2010.in January 2010.

Incentive Housing ZonesIncentive Housing ZonesHome Connecticut Legislation (CGS Chapter 124b, Sec. Home Connecticut Legislation (CGS Chapter 124b, Sec. 8-13m to Sec.8-13x.8-13m to Sec.8-13x.

Simsbury was one of the first 11 towns in CT to apply for Simsbury was one of the first 11 towns in CT to apply for IHZ grant.IHZ grant.

Consultant selected, work underway to be completed 12/09.Consultant selected, work underway to be completed 12/09. Wide Variety of potential IHZ sites being examined:Wide Variety of potential IHZ sites being examined:

Rehabed Mill building in Tariffville for possible live-work Rehabed Mill building in Tariffville for possible live-work units.units.

Town center sites for townhouse or multifamily units, Town center sites for townhouse or multifamily units, fairly dense.fairly dense.

Town center area site for small lot subdivision, near Town center area site for small lot subdivision, near school.school.

Rehabed grist mill building and IHZ units as part of a Rehabed grist mill building and IHZ units as part of a mixed use complex.mixed use complex.

Greenfield site with mix of SF homes, town houses Greenfield site with mix of SF homes, town houses bordering natural area and possible transit stop.bordering natural area and possible transit stop.

Some possible Incentive Some possible Incentive Housing Zone sitesHousing Zone sites

Incentive Housing Zones Incentive Housing Zones are widespread and are widespread and varied varied

IHZ sites represent a variety of sites and IHZ sites represent a variety of sites and thus present a wide variety of potential thus present a wide variety of potential new housing options.new housing options.

Incentives from the State may or may not Incentives from the State may or may not be available, but regulation will still be be available, but regulation will still be considered as required by IHZ contract.considered as required by IHZ contract.

IHZ sites represent true niches for IHZ sites represent true niches for needed housing in Simsbury.needed housing in Simsbury.

““Simsbury’s Sustainable Simsbury’s Sustainable Conclusions”Conclusions”

1. The Charrette process is an excellent process 1. The Charrette process is an excellent process for building public consensus.for building public consensus.

2. It has great promise for helping build a 2. It has great promise for helping build a sustainable town center.sustainable town center.

3. The IHZ process appears to also have 3. The IHZ process appears to also have significant potential for creating housing as part significant potential for creating housing as part of sustainable environment.of sustainable environment.

4. Both of these vehicles are excellent aids in 4. Both of these vehicles are excellent aids in helping Simsbury plan for a more sustainable helping Simsbury plan for a more sustainable future using Smart Growth principles.future using Smart Growth principles.

Sustainable Visions: Sustainable Visions:

Not the end, but the Not the end, but the beginning!beginning!

Thank you.Thank you.