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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-23-1994 - C-1 ORANGECOUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 23, 1994 Agenda Abstract Item # C 1 SUBJECT: SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PRINCIPLES DEPARTMENT: Plannin g PUBLIC HEARING: —X—Yes No ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Policy Statement Planning Director X2592 PHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Mebane 227.2031 Durham 688-7331 Chapel Hill 967-9251 PURPOSE: To receive public comment on a proposed policy outlining sustainable community principles which could be used to evaluate local programs and policies. BACKGROUND: A sustainable community is one which uses and protects its human and natural resources to meet the current needs while insuring that enhanced community assets are available for future generations. It seeks improved public health, an informed citizenry, and a better quality of life.for all of its residents while promoting efficiency, conservation, pollution prevention, and developing local resources to strengthen the local economy. Nationally, the concept of sustainability has been advanced by several recent developments.The idea has become the focus of the National Commission on the Environment, and it was highlighted by Vice President Albert Gore in his book, Earth in the Balance. In communities across the country, information networks have been formed to promote the concept. Planning and design professions have also given attention to the subject,as evidenced by the growing number of articles and books on various perspectives of sustainability. In March of this year,Commissioner Don Wdhoit presented a report to the Board of Commissioners on the concept of sustainable development and its application to Orange County. His presentation was based on his attendance at a National Association of Counties (NACo) Conference in Washington, D.C. NACo has established a sustainable development task force and will be developing model programs for counties to consider.However,until more definitive programs are available through NACo or the Shaping Orange County's Future Steering Committee, Commissioner Wilhoit suggested that the Board consider adoption of a policy statement with emphasis on a"Sustainable Community"rather than just development. 000 The proposed policy statement could serve as a fundamental organizing concept against which to evaluate proposed programs and policies in the areas of land use planning, environmental protection, economic development, housing, transportation, solid waste management, health and social services, and public safety. Proposed programs and policies could, in turn, include proposed actions and strategies such as the following. * Acknowledge environmental constraints so as to live within physical and biological limits. * Reduce the exposure of people and property to natural hazards. * Reduce air and water pollution and the consumption of nonrenewable resources. * Promote a sense of place by preserving cultural resources and maintaining a visually pleasing community. * Promote safety through land use patterns and community strategies that lessen opportunities for crime. * Share a concern and provide equal opportunity for all citizens. * Seek to eradicate poverty and insure a dignified life for all residents. * Strive to create spatial patterns and living environments in which all individuals and groups are treated fairly. * Provide housing opportunities for all residents. * Include planning processes and decision structures that encourage public participation and the involvement of a variety of community groups. If adopted, the proposed policy statement would be incorporated into the Board of Commissioners' Policy ManuaL It would thus be applicable to all County departments and agencies. RECOMMENDATION: There is no statutory or local ordinance public hearing requirement applicable to the proposed policy.Neither is there a requirement that the policy be referred to the Planning board for recommendation. Thus, the Board of Commissioners may adopt the policy following conclusion of the hearing or it may postpone a decision to one of its regular meetings. f 007 PROPOSED POLICY - BOARD OF COMIVIISSIONERS POLICY MANUAL MEETING DATE: NUMBER; EFFECTIVE DATE: REVISIONS: POLICY: Toward a Sustainable Community Orange County is committed to the concept of a suet sable community.A sustainable community uses and protects its human and natural resources to meet the current needs while insuring that enhanced community assets are available for future generations. It seeks improved public health, an informed citizenry, and a better quality of life for all of its residents while promoting efficiency, conservation, pollution prevention, and developing local resources to strengthen the local economy. Sustainable Community Principles Sustainability is a fundamental organizing concept against which to evaluate proposed programs and policies in the areas of land use planning, environmental protection, economic development, housing, transportation, solid waste management,health and social services,and public safety. Such programs and policies should therefore be prepared in a manner which addresses the following principles of sustainability Interdependence: Integrate long-term economic, environmental, and social considerations into all decisions to reflect their inherent interdependence. Partnership: Invite cooperation and unify efforts between governments, business, environmentalists, non-profit organizations, citizens, and others to address interdependence. Stewardship: Balance resource use and conservation between present and future generations so that future generations are not compromised. Diversity: Maintain diverse biological, economic, and social systems. Prevention: Anticipate and prevent social,economic,and environmental problems rather than attempt to solve them after the fact. Equity: Insure all community members equal opportunities to contribute to the economy, enjoy the environment, and participate in decisions that affect them. Responsibility: Ask all community members to take responsibility for sustaining their community and environment.