Two centuries ago, the synergies between the development of cities and public health were evident -- even lifesaving: Better infrastructure prevented infectious diseases. Land use ordinances protected citizens from hazardous industrial exposures. During the 20th century, the disciplines drifted apart. Today health has, once again, become an extremely important element in building livable communities. How can you measure how your project impacts the health of a community? Health impact assessments (HIAs) are innovative tools. Learn how to incorporate an HIA into your existing decision-making processes, increase interdepartmental collaboration and strengthen community engagement initiatives. In addition, gain usable experience from two HIA case studies in Florida and Minnesota: a transit alternatives analysis and a station area plan. Moderator: Thomas Waldron, Transit Market Sector Director, HDR, New York, New York Lyssa Leitner, Transportation Planner, Washington County, Stillwater, Minnesota Gabriella Arismendi, Transportation Planner, MetroPlan, Orlando, Florida Michael Musso, Senior Project Manager and Risk Assessor, HDR, Mahwah, New Jersey

1. Lyssa Leitner, Washington County, Minnesota
Considering Health (Again) in
Project Development:
The Gateway Corridor BRT Story

7. Gateway Corridor Goals

8. 2010-2012
Alternatives
Analysis
2013 – 2016
Environmental Impact
Statement
2016 – 2020
Engineering
2020 – 2022
Construction
2015 – Health
Impact Assessment
We are here

9. What do we want the future
to look like?

10. Focused
on
developing
tools
to
help
inform
land
use
decisions
in
Gateway
Corridor
ci9es,
from
a
public
health
perspec9ve
Gateway
HIA

11. Outreach EIS

12. Outreach

13. Stakeholder
& Public
Engagement
Plan
Gateway
and
Public
Health
Staff
Saint
Paul
–
Ramsey
Community
Health
Services
Advisory
Commi=ee
Living
Healthy
in
Washington
County
Technical
Advisory
Commi=ee
Community
Advisory
Commi=ee
Policy
Advisory
Commitee
Public
Engagement
Public
Engagement

14. What are the most important elements
for creating healthier communities?
Mixed use development
Housing for all (ages/income)
Office Jobs
Retail
Public Services
Health Care
Owner-occupied housing
Rental housing
Sidewalks
Bike trails
Connecting bus
Parking
Safe routes to school
Safe routes to school
Parks
Water features
Wildlife habitat
Air quality
Access to healthy food
Personal safety
Access to education
Community gathering location
Access to cultural facilities
Living wage jobs
Physical
AcBvity

15. Elements for Health Consideration
Connectivity Jobs
Housing Safety

16. Environmental
Impact
Statement

17. NEPA
Any “major federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human
environment” must undergo an
evaluation and public disclosure of its
environmental effects
“ecological, aesthetic, historic,
cultural, economic, social, or health,
whether direct, indirect, or cumulative”

18. 42
EIS’s
Less than ½
mention
health

19. Is bringing health into an EIS the
right approach?

21. Lyssa Leitner, Washington County, Minnesota
Lyssa.Leitner@co.washigton.mn.us
651-430-4300