SMART GROWTH PROGRAM OUTLINE

(SG Committee Focus)

A.  The Basics

1.  The Four Protections

Economic Base--Tourism, Retirement, Information Services, opportunities for diversification, and challenges to maintenance.

Resource Base–wildlife, beaches, fishing, Scenic Vistas, Outdoor recreation, and access to same.

Fiscal Base--Value of property; tax structure; which types pay “more” or “less” than fair share.

Political Base --Protecting the first 3; Most economic, resource, and fiscal protections lie in the home/neighborhood and the business/district.

2.  The Management System

BoCC as Region--County wide services

BoCC as City--City services for unincorporated areas

BoCC as Ally--Interlocal agreements

BoCC as Spokesman--Sovereign Representative of Lee County                

needs

 

B.  The components

1.  Land Use --Geographic application of public policy, guiding development, redevelopment, infill, new growth, the challenges and oportunities of antiquated plats and change.

2.  Transportation--Moving goods, services, and people

3.  Water Supply--For utilities, agriculture, business, homes, and the environment

4.  Environmental Quality--for nature and man, the often conflicting issues of flood control, habitat, water quality, outdoor recreation, air quality, and public health.

5.  Community Character–What makes an area distinct, what gives it identity, how does it function in ways different than other places, what are its celebrations, its holy spaces, its view of itself.

 

SG Committee Role: Affirm or reaffirm the results expected from Smart Growth.  Define or refine the issues that are under-addressed, unaddressed, or wrongly addressed for achieving results of smart growth. 

 

C.  Smart Growth-The BoCC as a regional entity

1.  Transportation (Water, Air, Rail, Major Roads, Transit)

Linkages to Communities

2.  Water Resources and Environmental Quality

Resource Management

Quality Protection or Restoration

Recreation and Open Space

3.  Community Character--Human Resources

The Safety Net

Affordable Housing

Schools, public and private-K through 19.

 

SG Committee Role: Evaluate Progress and make Recommendations for achieving results expected of Smart Growth.  Represent Smart Growth recommendations before the entities with whom the County partners, in addition to making presentations to the BoCC.

 

D.  Smart Growth-The BoCC as a City council

1.  Community Character (Residential and non-residential communities)

Which Discrete communities (neighborhoods and districts combined)         

exist

The Edge and The Core of each

Management and change of each

2.  Services and Facilities (Contribute to or detract from the communities)

Opens Space and Recreation

Utilities

Transportation

Non-BoCC Services and Facilities-Schools and Post Offices

3.  Land Use

Renewal-renewing the neighborhoods and districts through changing

land uses.

Appearance and Standards-protecting, preserving and enhancing current neighborhoods and districts through appearance investments and code enforcement.

 

SG Committee Role: Evaluate Progress and make Recommendations for achieving results expected of Smart Growth.  Represent Smart Growth recommendations before the committees of the County, in addition to making presentations to the BoCC.

 

E.  Implementation

1.  Management

How can staffing and operations achieve desired results.  (Any sub-county group “empowerment” would appear in this heading.)

2.  Fiscal

What fiscal reforms (incentives, taxes, fines, fees, etc) can further the desired results

3.  Regulatory

            What planning and regulatory changes and reforms can further the  

             desired results.

4.  “Bully Pulpit” 

Where and how should the BoCC use its considerable capacity for influencing neighbors, agencies, and private partnerships to achieve the desired results.

 

SG Committee Role: Develop the Report Card and the mechanism for auditing progress, and establish the “feedback loop” by which the results expected and the overall smart growth discipline becomes periodically addressed.   This will include recognizing that part of the “Product” is the process itself, which through including all affected in assessment and reassessment for the results expected and the tools and policies employed to achieve the results.