Since I failed to post an account of the Moscow SmartGrowth meeting, I am
forwarding Kathy Roos's post here. My apologies to those of you on the
SmartGrowth listserver who are receiving this as a duplicate.
Finally...summer,
Susan Palmer
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 07:21:05
From: Kathy Roos <kroos@cyberhighway.net>
To: smartgrowth@onenw.org
Subject: Preliminary Results of Regional Meetings
===== A message from the 'smartgrowth' discussion list =====
As you know, I held regional meetings in Moscow, Pocatello and Boise this
past month to determine the status of growth management efforts, and to
determine what might be done to improve those efforts.
Many of you were not able to attend (I admit it--summer is too nice to be
indoors talking about growth). SO HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE, even
though you weren't present...or to add additional thoughts if you did
attend. Make additions, comments, suggestions to the information presented
below...get it back to us no later than this Friday (7/15).
I. Status of Growth in Idaho (all figures are from the Idaho Dept. of
Commerce)
Idaho's population has grown each decade since 1930 (first set of data I
have).
Between 1970-1980, Idaho's population increased 32.4%.
" " 1980-1990, 6.6% (below national avg. of 9.8%)
" " 1990-1995, 15.5% (for half a decade only)
All of Idaho's 44 counties grew more populous between 1990-1995. The
highest rate of growth during these years occurred in the following 8
counties:
Teton 36.8%
Boise Co. 35.9%
Kootenai 31.4%
Valley 28.9%
Bonner 24.3%
Ada 22.4%
Blaine 21.5%
Canyon 20.5%
Also above the state average of 15.5% were Adams, Payette, Gem, Camas and
Lemhi counties.
Consequences: An average of 5.7 acres of farmland each hour (or 50,000
acres each year) are disappearing to development in Idaho. New
developments often use more land per household than older developments,
accentuating this problem.
Conclusion: It seems logical to assume that growth will continue to occur
in Idaho. If we want to maintain the character of our communities--and
shape the future, we need effective growth management tools and a positive
vision of how we want to grow.
II. What is the status of growth management in Idaho? (Ideas contributed
by participants). We have the following tools:
zoning
comprehensive plans in place and evolving positively
infill development
elected officials with increased commitment to alt. transportation
differential assessment of farmland (not really a growth mgmt tool unless
back taxes are collected when property is sold)
impact fees for roads and parks (in some jurisdictions)
high levels of citizen involvement at city council, county commission,
planning and zoning, and highway district meetings.
neighborhood associations
groups as Moscow Vision 2020 (Moscow), The Livable Communities Group
(Boise), and a new group in Pocatello. These groups bring in speakers,
do public education, workshops, and facilitate public meetings.
metropolitan planning organizations that encourage county-wide coop
land acquisition by public agencies and land trusts
planned unit developments and performance zoning ordinances--use density
bonuses to encourage open space in new developments
design review that helps maintain the visual character of a community
subdivision regulations
moratorium on growth - allows local government to stop certain types of
development for limited periods of time.
III. What problems are we encountering in managing growth?
no clear vision of how we want to shape our communities
sprawl, encouraged by economic incentives such as the lower costs of
infrastructure development and land prices in outlying areas
How can we define sprawl: % of people driving 3 miles or more to work
% of children unable to walk to school
amount of land/household
elected officials who do not follow comprehensive plans
decline of urban core
dependence on zoning that separates land uses
social stratification of communities
leap frog development
wealthy folks move to outlying areas as inner city declines
too many levels of government
lack of sustained citizen involvement
increasing dependence on the automobile
inadequate, inconvenient and uncoordinated public transit
a disconnect between land use planning and transportation
too much centralization (schools, malls)
too few transportation choices
ITD focuses on autos, not people
need impact fees
need access to state and federal bills affecting growth mgmt.
citizen's groups react to developments, rather than suggesting a better
alternative
IV. What can we do to improve the situation on the local and/or state level?
put implementation mechanisms on comp. plans and other vision statements
create and regularly revisit a vision for what the residents of the
community want it to be
continuing education of the public and elected officials
find good candidates and help them get elected
help people use alternative means of transportation
require showers for major employers
increase bus routes and bicycle lanes
provide one-on-one guidance for those who want to walk, bus or bike to
work or school, but don't know how to begin
encourage the city to improve its process of notifying the public about
development proposals
initiate a positive, winable campaign on a small local issue; then move to
bigger issues - gives people a feeling of more control over their lives
encourage citizen involvement on an ongoing basis
How could a statewide coalition help?
lobbying efforts on federal and state issues, like ISTEA (federal
transportation funds)
fundraising...many foundations refuse to fund local groups, but will
fund a statewide group who funnels dollars to local groups
similar problems exist in all the high growth areas of Idaho
exchange of ideas
new allies - Henry's Fork, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
statewide public education meetings, conferences
resource sharing
create connections via email, phone trees and postcards
traveling road show w/ speakers and educational materials aimed at
local citizens, public officials concerned about growth issues
model ordinances
home page providing public education about growth mgmt.
provide connection among citizen groups
PLEASE, ADD YOUR COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS!!