Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007 - (Page 6)

OUR VOICE 275 East 10th, Suite 200 Dubuque, IA 52001 Phone: 888-388-8787 • Fax: 360-343-2341 www.SLDTonline.com PUBLISHER Tony Wernke Publisher@LandDevelopmentToday.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Greg Yoko Editor@LandDevelopmentToday.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Barbara Sue Schubert CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Caitlin Clinard, Steve Gaze, Benjamin Grawe, John Heft, Rod Johnston, Rob Kundert, Terry Miller, Christine Rombouts, Larry Trojak, and Edward Witte ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Char Thumser COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Kimberly Feltes WEB ADMINISTRATION Luke David ACCOUNTING Kimberly Becker-Yoko CIRCULATION MANAGEMENT Kayla Brimeyer, Julie Rima, and Jenneifer Uptegraph ADVERTISING CONTACTS Jeff Brimeyer, Advertising Director Direct 888-388-8787 ext. 300 JBrimeyer@Futurus.biz Ron Vaassen, National Sales Manager Direct 888-388-8787 ext. 303 RVaassen@Futurus.biz Brad Ronek, Account Executive Direct 888-388-8787 ext. 305 BRonek@Futurus.biz Lisa Stevenson, Classifieds Director Direct 888-388-8787, ext 304 LStevenson@Futurus.biz Marketing, management, editorial, administrative, and advertising services are provided by: Masterpiece on the Mississippi Since the inception of Land Development Today a little over five years ago, I’ve been asked about our organization being headquartered in a seemingly curious location – the city of Dubuque, Iowa. Here’s how the conversation typically goes: “Iowa? With so much development taking place seemingly everywhere BUT Iowa, why there? And what the heck does anyone know about land development in the rust-belt, corn and hog farm capital of the world anyway?” That is the myth. Here is the reality. Dubuque is an ideal location for us for many reasons, but the biggest is because it stands boldly at the forefront of sustainable development. As one of the oldest cities west of the Mississippi, Dubuque has experienced all the inevitable problems of an industrial-economy, rust-belt community – aging infrastructure, declining industries, and a stagnant economy. In the early 1980’s, a series of changes in manufacturing and the onset of the "Farm Crisis" led to a large decline in the city's economy as a whole. The slogan most readily attributable to Dubuque at that time was, “Will the last one to leave, please turn out the lights.” Today, Dubuque uniquely embodies the achievement of truly sustainable development – achieving the necessary balance among people, planet and profit. Tourism, high technology, and publishing are among the largest and fastestgrowing sectors, and the economy (and land development activity) is thriving. lot to renewable energy initiatives by Alliant Energy and award-winning clean water, Dubuque is already a green city, and it’s getting greener every day. One small example of the long-range planning efforts being implemented deals with minimizing traffic congestion. In recent years, widening major throughfares and better timing its traffic signals has shortened travel times throughout the area. Dubuque now boasts the shortest commute time (11.8 minutes) of any city in the nation, according to a 2006 study by Money magazine. Profit In recent years, Dubuque has become a thriving city with a rapidly-growing economy. In fact, the most recent job growth statistics ranked Dubuque as the 22nd highest growing city in the nation, outpacing every other Midwestern city in the country, and far outpacing every other Iowa city. This ranking placed the city on a level similar to Austin, Texas, and Orlando, Florida, among others. And the city boasts quality in addition to quantity. In April 2007, the city was voted 15th in the "Best Small Places For Business and Careers" ranking by Forbes magazine, climbing 60 spots from 2006. All-America City To top it off, earlier this year, Dubuque earned the National Civic League’s All-America Award title, the oldest and most prestigious civic recognition competition in the nation. Dubuque was selected in part for its ability to engage a broad cross-section of the community, including youth, business leaders, elected officials, city staff and non-profit groups in collaborative dialogue leading to tangible results. That’s the kind of holistic involvement that connotes the epitome of sustainable development. For all the positive, sustainable changes occurring, it’s great to see that the country is taking notice of what Dubuque’s residents have known all along. Now Dubuque is known affectionately as, “The Masterpiece on the Mississippi.” As a stakeholder with more than a passing interest, I have to agree. People Dubuque has a rich history and culture that gives it greater prominence than its modest size would suggest. In recent years, Dubuque has evolved its identity into an eminently contemporary city – while maintaining its Victorian charm and tradition. Dubuquers enjoy the conveniences of an urban setting and very low crime rates at the same time. The city’s steep hills and limestone river bluffs alongside the Mississippi River provide beautiful scenery throughout the year. It is also home to five institutions of higher education, making it a center for culture and learning. It’s a place where young people thrive. In March 2007, the city was recognized as one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People" by the America's Promise Youth Foundation. Planet Green initiatives abound throughout the city. From porous pavement in the City Hall parking 888-FUTURUS (388-8787) www.futurus.biz Sustainable Land Development Today (ISSN 1552-4728) is published by Sustainable Land Development Today, LLC 10 times a year on a monthly basis with combined July/August and November/ December issues. Sustainable Land Development Today is distributed without charge to qualified subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Nonqualified subscription rates in the U.S., $50 per year; Canada and Mexico, $105 per year; all other countries, $150 per year, payable in U.S. funds. Single copies $5 per issue in the U.S. and Canada. All other countries $10 per issue. Requests may be made online at www.SLDTonline.com. POSTMASTER: Periodical rates paid at Dubuque, Iowa and additional entries. Please send address changes to: Sustainable Land Development Today 275 East 10th, Suite 200 Dubuque, IA 52001 Greg Yoko, Managing Editor 6 October 2007 Sustainable Land Development Today http://www.SLDTonline.com http://www.futurus.biz http://www.futurus.biz http://www.SLDTonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007

Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007 Contents Our Voice Your Voice Editorial Board Mapping the Development Process Looking at a New Dimension The Environmental Liability Continuum GPS System Makes the Grade Regulations: Reactions Mixed Trends: Communications Easements Business Management: Recycling Sustainable Practices: LEED-ND Energy: Community Propane Systems Transportation: Mountain Solutions Recommended Reading Calendar Products/Services Showcase Classifieds Advertiser Index The Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007

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