Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008 - (Page 24)

measures in order to modify travel demand. A substantial change in transportation and transit decision-making will not be far behind. The Air Resources Board (ARB) in California is mandated to adopt a plan by 2011 to meet AB 32 targets. The state ARB is creating the template for the new rules of the game and has made it clear that fundamental change is needed. Its plan lays out action measures, including enhancing and expanding transit, infill development, transit-oriented development, and Smart Growth. And, very significantly, it lays out enabling policies that call for providing relief from the constraints of the California Environmental Quality Act that stand in the way of Smart Growth. California Attorney General Jerry Brown asked a state superior court judge to require San Bernardino County to redo its general plan to account for the amount of greenhouse gas emissions new developments could create and provide strategies for lessening or mitigating those emissions. The County and Brown reached an out-of-court agreement, but this action put cities and counties across the state on notice to incorporate AB 32 in their planning. Brown is convening a series of workshops across the state to brief local officials on how government at all levels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Included among the topics is how cities and counties should analyze the global warming-related impacts of planning and land use decisions. In the City of Los Angeles, the policies delineated in the Framework Element of the General Plan set forth planning priorities for a walkable city, density around transit, jobs near housing, smart parking requirements and less emphasis on road widenings. According to Claire Bowin from the Planning department’s Citywide Division, Los Angeles is now in the process of updating 12 of its 35 community plans to spell out where the zoning needs to change to accommodate increased mixed-use and residential density around transit modes. “We need to look at land use changes and street infrastructure changes near 24 September 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today our transit modes,” says Bowin. “We should consider modifying secondary highways to reduce traffic speeds, moderate traffic volume, accommodate bicycles, widen sidewalks, and add tree canopy.” According to Bowin, the city needs to be more progressive in analyzing traffic generation of a proposed project and factor in the multi-modal potential. The California State Association of Counties policy on climate change includes guidelines on land use. The association recognizes that “land use planning and development plays a direct role in transportation patterns, affecting travel demands… Smart land use planning and growth remain critical components to achieve reduction targets pursuant to AB 32.” Trends in transportation funding Fortunately, recent trends are moving transportation funding decisions in a new direction: I The United States Senate is considering federal greenhouse gas legislation that would implement a “cap and trade” program, which will earmark for public transit some revenues derived from sources that exceed emission limits. I California’s State Transportation Commission is considering regional transportation planning guidelines, which would establish a policy linkage between transportation investments and reducing carbon emissions. I The Minnesota State Legislature is considering a “Green Solutions Act” which, among other provisions, will generate new revenue for investments in public transit. I A recently released report to Congress from a bi-partisan group of public and private sector transportation officials urges the creation of a new “Environmental Stewardship Program” in the next federal surface transportation bill. interested in “living green.” The typical green homebuyer is 35 to 50 years old with a college degree, a highly attractive demographic to developers. According to a recent study by Green Builder Media and Imre Communications, these homebuyers are willing to pay 11 percent to 25 percent more for environmentally friendly homes. Communities that promote walking to nearby shops and services offer a very livable lifestyle. These communities stand to gain better returns for the developer in terms of higher rents and higher sales and leases. In concentrating their efforts on building for the traditional family model, the development community has been responding to an outdated market scenario. The market today is segmented, with the traditional family in the minority. The rest of the market is made up of retired baby boomers, empty nesters, and single living by choice. Many are looking to downsize, for a more urban alternative, and/or a shorter commute. Young professionals are looking for a more exciting, vibrant, active urban lifestyle. Developers are beginning to appreciate the nuances of different market niches and this bodes well for Smart Growth communities. In passing AB 32 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, California is forcing a dialogue on the disconnect between the principles of Smart Growth and traditional zoning and environmental regulations. There are no easy answers and local governments may well get caught in the middle. The rest of the country should pay attention. The way this dialogue plays out will be significant for cities across the nation. SLDT Reprinted with permission of the California Real Estate Journal. About the Authors: Blake Murillo is the CEO of Psomas, a consulting engineering firm specializing in the land development, transportation and water markets in the Western United States. He can be reached at: bmurillo@psomas.com. Joel B. Miller is the head of the Planning and Entitlements Team at Psomas. He can be reached at: jmiller@psomas.com For more information: www.psomas.com. The marketplace Market forces are also coming into play for Smart Growth. Increasingly the younger, socially conscious user/buyer is more and more http://www.psomas.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008 Contents Our Voice The Bottomline Editorial Board SLDT Resources Digging Deep Oases of Capital Build a Better Business on an Interactive, Virtual Landscape Regulation SLDI in Focus �� SLDI Sponsored Summit �� Workshops �� Bookstore Tee’d Up for Sustainability Retention Solutions Wastewater Redevelopment Industry News Marketplace Products/Services Showcase Advertiser Index The Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008

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