Agenda - 08-19-2010 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities Introduction Communities across the country want to get the most out of future growth and development. Residents and leaders from all types of communities —from urban to suburban to rural —want to achieve the best pos- sible economic, social, environmental, and public health outcomes. This desire is particularly evident in rural communities that may be experiencing changes in their traditional landscapes and ways of life. In communities with less diverse economies, the choices between "what was" and "what could be" are critical. The reverberations of simple decisions or even of inac- tion can be relatively dramatic. Rural economies may be booming, in decline, or simply in flux —this status shapes priorities and frames the local debate. In communities facing growth pressures, there is often a struggle to maintain farm- land or natural landscapes, small -town traditions, and rural character while still benefiting from devel- opment. Growth can bring traffic congestion and conflicts between the natural resources economy and residential lifestyles not dependent upon working lands. Where local economies are struggling to stay afloat, however, the focus is more often on develop- ment strategies that will attract public and private investments. This publication is designed to provide rural decision - makers with a resource for balancing com- peting goals while creating more vibrant, sustainable communities. It is intended to show how smart growth approaches can be adapted and applied in the rural context, particularly in times of change. Following a brief discussion of key issues facing different types of rural communities and how smart growth is perceived in rural environments, the majority of this publication addresses how to put smart growth into practice in rural communities. This third section of this publica- tion is framed around three key goals, which can help a community pursue its vision for accommodating and attracting sensible growth in the future, while main- taining and enhancing its rural character and quality of life. The three goals are: 1. Support the rural landscape by creating an eco- nomic climate that enhances the viability of work- ing lands and conserves natural lands; 2. Help existing places thrive by taking care of assets and investments such as downtowns, Main Streets, existing infrastructure, and places that the community values; and 3. Create great new places by building vibrant, enduring neighborhoods and communities that people, especially young people, don't want to leave. Strategies and policy tools (some commonplace, some cutting edge) supporting each of these three goals will provide some practical direction for rural communities that want to ensure that economic opportunity and growth meet the needs of new and current residents and businesses without fundamen- tally altering the community character. While the process of strategically defining growth in a rural com- munity is certain to be challenging and require time, patience, and subtlety —as is the case elsewhere —it is also likely to yield the most desirable community outcomes. Smart growth approaches, when adapted and applied in rural contexts, can help communities balance competing demands by supporting the rural landscape, helping existing places to thrive, and creating great new places. M a 0 s i" 0 a