Nathan Kogon Nationwide, local governments are struggling to incorporate green/sustainable practices into plans and codes. Climate Action Plans provide energy reduction targets, but can be light on how “to get there.” Comprehensive plans and LDCs have to be modified in big ways to get real community-wide implementation. Learn about a Florida city going far beyond HB 697 by preparing a Green Element as the first element in its Comprehensive Plan, and the model “Sustainable Community Development Code,”prepared by the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, with related implementation case studies, plus the latest data on cost-savings associated with “going green.”

1. City of Doral Green Practices Florida APA 2011

3. 15 square miles

4. Residential Population - approximately 45,000

5. Workforce Population - approximately 150,000

7. Florida APA Population Growth

8. Florida APA Holistic Approach

9. Florida APA Efficient Land Use

11. Creating true downtown areas with the appropriate mix of commercial and residential

12. Ensuring connectivity and public transportation

13. Mostly urban infill

15. Communities are walkable and contain a wide range of residential units

16. Contains on street retail components

18. Currently operating three routes with approximately 30 min headways.

19. Rides are Free of Charge!

20. As the City’s downtown areas develop, new trolleys and routes will be added to the system.

21. Larger developments must install trolley terminals as part of their development.Doral Trolley

22. USGBC South Florida Public Transportation

23. Florida APA Public Transportation

24. Florida APA Natural Environment City of Doral Street Tree Master Plan

25. Florida APA

26. Florida APA

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28. Florida APA

30. The City, in conjunction with Iler Planning, created a Green Action Committee (GAC) made up of representatives from all City Departments.

31. The GAC identified all possible City activities, regulations and practices that would obtain possible points in order to seek Certification.

32. The City is already doing a lot with respects to sustainability, but this exercise pointed out more that we can do.

34. Instead of adding Goals Objectives and Policies to the existing Elements, a new Element “Green Element” was created.

35. The Green Element will be the first Element, placed before the Future Land Use Element.

37. Objective Titles:

38. Sustainable Land Use and Design

39. Mobility and Connectivity

40. Smart Buildings and Places

41. Enhance natural open space and landscape

42. Conserve and nurture healthy water resources

43. Community waste recycling and reuse

44. Green capital improvements

45. Community learning and outreach

46. Promote green business and job growth

48. Creation of a “Green” Land Development Code.

49. Establish a monitoring system for energy and water usage, and waste generation/recycling.For more information, please feel free to contact me at nathan.kogon@cityofdoral.com