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22 <br />Regional Legislative Agenda <br />. Page 2 <br />HIGH PRIORITIES <br />Growth Mai:agement and Smart Growtl: Strategy: Growth management and. "Smart Growth" strategies ,remain <br />paramount among important issues facing Region J's local governments. In view of the recommendations. of the <br />state's Legislative Study Commission on Smart Growth, Triangle J advocates an incentive based planning <br />partnership that calls upon the state to establish a clear and concise growth management policy based on the <br />regional principles. set forth in the commission's report. Inducements such as allowance of the "transfer. of <br />development rights," inclusionary zoning and housing programs, expanded local revenue sources for community <br />and regional infrastructure, along with state funding for planning, infrastructure financing, affordable. housing, <br />environmental programs, open space/farm land, rural economic development, downtown/main street development, <br />and other economic development incentives are recommended. Triangle J seeks approval of the foregoing, along <br />with adequate authority and financial support to provide public facilities necessary to any "Smart Growth" strategy <br />and state policy. <br />Transportation Planning and Funding: Multi-modal planning for the myriad transportation needs of Region J is a <br />.substantive issue for the future of our local governments and the region. Funding of the Transportation- <br />Improvements Plan .(TIP), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO's), Rural Planning Organizations (RPO's), <br />Powell BiII Funds, local transit authorities, and the .Triangle Transit Authority are very important. Moreover, <br />. Triangle J advocates and seeks a fundamental change in the state's planning/organizational structure currently in use <br />to allow for more formal. input by local government and afunding formula that provides adequate_fmancial <br />resources to address the ever-growing. transportation needs of our region. Clearly the challenge for North Carolina. <br />is that adequate funding must be provided by the legislature to assure that our state can meet its many transportation <br />needs. Road and bridge maintenance is sought to adequately maintain existing infrastructure. Additionally, the , <br />General Assembly is urged to make local enablingauthority uniformly available to local governments throughout <br />the state regarding use of video cameras for red light violation apprehension and enforcement.: Finally, it is <br />requested that the .General Statutes be amended to require that the N.C. Department of Transportation pay for the <br />non-betterment cost for relocation of city/county utilities that are relocated for a state highway improvement project <br />=inclusive of regional public utilities. <br />Water Quality/Sunn[y and Infrastructure; Long-term water quality/supply planning and wastewater treatment <br />needs continue to be important topics for the region. Hydrological modeling in Jordan Lake and protection <br />measures for the Upper Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers are extremely important and will require support from state <br />government. Triangle J seeks legislation to effect financial resources and regulatory control to satisfy. regional <br />water quality/supply planning needs, along with the resources necessary to meet environmentally sound water and <br />sewer infrastructure resources for the region. Additional funding for the Clean Water Management Trust Fund is <br />also sought. <br />OTHER PRIORITIES <br />Environmental Issues: Air quality .tops the environmental issues important to Region J. Support is sought for <br />financial and tax incentives following up on the Ambient Aire Quality Act (SB 953) enacted in 1999 to encourage <br />the use. of alternative fuels.. Triangle J seeks :legislation that promotes clean air and allows state and local <br />government to meet "attainment" of EPA standards.. Linkage of air .quality to the "Smart Growth," growth <br />management, and transportation strategies is important. Solid waste management legislation is sought to strengthen <br />local governments' role in recycling and authority to charge reasonable fees for recycling activities. Additionally, <br />Triangle J seeks funding of the state's One North Carolina Naturally Initiative, along with other open space and <br />green space concerns, inclusive of increased funding for farm land..preservation and other similar economic <br />development activities. <br />