This document discusses sustainability in discretionary review processes. It highlights the environmental risks of climate change and over-reliance on fossil fuels. It examines how sustainable various cities are and provides tools for conducting sustainability reviews of plans, policies, regulations and development projects. These include impact modeling, checklist and guidelines. The document also outlines best practices for adapting to changing conditions, becoming self-sufficient and solving larger problems. It provides examples from the City of San Diego's general plan and sustainability efforts.
16. Effects of Climate Change How do planners deal with…. Sea Level rise, land use vulnerability Migration of disease, increased ailments Habitat loss and shift of temperature & rainfall zones affecting growing areas Increased pests and pathogens Wildfire and hurricanes increase Source: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sustainability/images/greenhouse_effect.jpg
17. Effects of Hydrologic Change How do planners deal with…. Flooding vulnerability Glacial and snowpack retreat Drought increases Drinking water loss Shift of rainfall zones affecting growing areas science.hq.nasa.gov/oceans/images/water_cycle.jpg
18. Effects of Biomass Change How do planners deal with…. Loss of valuable habitat Loss of critical species Increased impervious surfaces Lack of natural cover Windstorms, sandstorms, dustbowl effect
19. How do we….? Adapt to changing conditions Influence trends to improve practice
21. Discretionary Review Tools The Comprehensive or General Plan Zoning Codes, Development Codes Conditional Use Permits & Variances Planned Unit Development Development Agreements Design Review Environmental Documentation (NEPA or local equivalent)
32. Green Buildings Rating System LEED US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Rating System
33. policy review LEED ND – Neighborhood Development Smart Location & Linkages Neighborhood Pattern & Design Green Construction and Technology Innovation and Design Process Quarry Falls, Sudberry Properties
34. best practices Sustainable Project Attributes Adapting to conditions and influencing best practice Self sufficiency in regard to resources Solving larger urban problems outside of project boundaries
35. 1. Adapting to Conditions Sea level change and coastal erosion Protection from floods and levee stresses Increased wildfire risk Growing demands for water supply
36. 2. Self Sufficiency best practices Water and Energy harvesting Storm water management Appropriate horticulture Wise materials (local, renewable, recycled) Wise systems (low water, low energy)
37. 3. Solving Larger Urban Problems Heat island reduction Carbon sequestration through urban forests Public Health – no child left inside Environmental justice and equity for all Economic stimulus
39. City of San Diego General Plan Comprehensive plan for growth and development Smart growth approach tailored for San Diego Relies on infill development to meet City’s needs Sustainability policies integrated throughout plan
40. General Plan Addresses California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 Reduce state’s global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 Will help implement 2008 legislation (SB 375) Reduce GHG through land use and transportation planning
42. GHG Inventory Project Results www.sandiego.edu/epic GHG Emissions for San Diego County (2006)
43. General Plan: Land Use as a Sustainability Strategy Population is growing How to plan for growth responsibly and to achieve sustainability goals? City of Villages strategy Links land use and transit planning Distinctive, mixed use villages Pedestrian oriented Interconnected streets Local destinations (stores, services, parks, schools) Connected to transit Distinctive public places
46. Mobility StrategiesCars and trucks produce 46% of GHG emissions in San Diego County Transit/Land Use Coordination Multi-modal solutions Walkable communities Bicycle facilities Streets and freeways Transit and transit-orientation Parking management Transportation management Toolboxes allow for tailored solutions Regional Collaboration
47.
48. Parking Toolbox:Supply and Demand Strategies Supply Re-stripe streets for diagonal parking Community parking facilities Adjust zoning regulations Car lifts and mechanized garages Code enforcement Demand Parking meter districts Residential permit parking districts Transit upgrades Car sharing Parking fees Safe pedestrian and bicycle routes Employee parking programs
49. Conservation Element Electricity use accounts for 25% of San Diego County GHG emissions Specifically addresses climate change Reduce carbon footprint Green buildings/sustainable development Conserve and manage resources Water conservation Energy efficiency and renewables Waste management Wastewater collection and treatment Urban forestry
50. Conservation Element Open Space Protections Smart Growth Ecosystem Services Urban Form Benefits San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program Comprehensive habitat conservation planning 49,230 acres (93% of City’s goal) are conserved or are obligated to be conserved.
51. Urban Design Element Respect distinctive neighborhoods and enhance character Create diverse, walkable, mixed-use villages Design vibrant public spaces and prominent civic architecture
53. City of San Diego Land Development Code Commercial/Mixed-Use zones Pedestrian-Oriented Design standards Parking reductions for mixed-use, transit proximity Tandem parking in some areas Small lot and townhouse zones Landscape Standards Street trees required Turf limited Water conservation mandates Community Gardens code changes underway
55. Project Review: Traffic Multi-modal LOS standards and impact thresholds Traffic impact study guidelines consideration of alternative modes Street Design Manual
56. Internal City Collaboration Climate Protection Land Use, Housing, Open Space Mobility Clean Tech and the Economy Energy Water Waste Management Storm Water
57. 42 Regional CollaborationSANDAG 2004 – Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP) 2006 – Smart Growth Concept Map 2007 – Smart Growth Tool Box 2010 – Regional Climate Action Strategy 2010 – Urban Area Transit Strategy and Regional Transportation Plan Update Includes Sustainable Communities Strategy Environmental review will address greenhouse gas emissions
58. The General Plan Action Plan Identifies actions (implementation measures) derived from General Plan goals and policies Organized by GP Element and timeframe Sets key implementation priorities Helps to inform the budget process Will be used for annual monitoring of the General Plan Adopted July 2009
59. General Plan Monitoring Report Annual overview of progress Detailed Action Plan matrix Key Actions Community Plan Updates Climate Initiatives
64. Reduce vulnerability to external environmental and economic threats through planning, design, and increased reliance on local resources, goods, and services
68. Preserve and restore natural, cultural, and built resources. Integrate natural and human ecological systems in the planning and design of communities
86. Kathleen A. Garcia, FASLA LEED AP Nancy Bragado, AICP Sustainability in Discretionary Review www.wrtdesign.com
Notes de l'éditeur
1. Portland, OR (1)2. San Francisco, CA (2)3. Seattle, WA (3)4. Chicago, IL (4)5. New York, NY (6)6. Boston, MA (7)7. Minneapolis, MN (10)8. Philadelphia, PA (8)9. Oakland, CA (5)10. Baltimore, MD (11)11. Denver, CO (9)12. Milwaukee, WI (16)13. Austin, TX (14)14. Sacramento, CA (13)15. Washington, DC (12)The SustainLane 2008 US City Rankings of the 50 most-populous cities is the nation’s most complete report card on urban sustainability. The rankings explain how people's quality of life and city economic and management preparedness are likely to fare in the face of an uncertain future.
Our challenge, we can do better in:Carbon sequestrationWater managementHabitat protectionTransportation corridorsEnvironmental justice
LEED buildings have been the talk of the town for 5 years, new ordinances and general plan guidelines encourage “silver rated” buildings at a minimum, the CCDC downtown plan looks to green roofs, etc.
three general attributes (1) self-sufficiency in regard to material resources and maintenance, (2) solvinglarger urban problems outside of project boundaries, and (3) creating new standards
Protection from sea-level riseProtection from coastal storms and erosionProtection from Flood and Levee stressIncreased Wildfire riskGrowing demands for water supply
three general attributes of this new kind ofpark: (1) self-sufficiency in regard to material resources and maintenance, (2) solvinglarger urban problems outside of park boundaries, and (3) creating new standards foraesthetics and landscape management in parks and other urban landscapes.
This chart illustrates just how challenging state wide targets are.
Our policy-makers have benefitted from additional research done by local universities and non-profits that have helped us to understand major sources of greenhouse gas emissions within San Diego County.
To responsibly plan for growth, and to meet environmental challenges, the General Plan is built upon our smart growth City of Villages strategy.
San Diego is truly a city of villages because our 340 square miles it is made up of over 50 community planning areas that are further characterized by distinctive neighborhoods and centers
We use GIS mapping to create a map of the City that showed where their was a “propensity” for village-type development. Highest propensity area shown in red. Lowest potential – including open space areas, single-family neighborhoods, and military lands – are shown in blue.
Here is a page from the General Plan Mobility Element showing a part of the Pedestrian Improvement Toolbox. The benefit of the toolbox approach is that we are able to provide a menu of tools along with citywide policies on how they are to be used, will also allowing for flexibility in implementation at the community or project level.
Environmental, Economic and Equity goals mutually supporting through GP policies to support Clean Tech and base sector industries
Land Development Code contains many innovations that can be applied to specific properties to achieve plan General/area plan land use designations and policy goals
The Monitoring Report will:Assess progress in implementing General Plan policies Include an Action Plan progress matrix Provide more detailed status narratives of the eight key actions.