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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date:June 6. 1994 <br /> Agenda Abstract <br /> Item # —b <br /> SUBJECT: SUSTAINABLE COMMUNPI'IES PRINCIPLES <br /> DEPARTMENT- Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No <br /> ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Draft Policy Statement Planning Director X2592 <br /> Draft 5/23/94 Public Hearing Minutes <br /> PHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Chapel Hill 967-9251 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a proposed policy outlining sustainable community principles which <br /> could be used to evaluate local programs and policies. <br /> BACKGROUND: A sustainable community is one which uses and protects its human and natural <br /> resources to meet the current needs while insuring that enhanced community <br /> assets are available for future generations. It seeks improved public health, an <br /> informed citizenry, and a better quality of life for all of its residents while <br /> promoting efficiency, conservation, pollution prevention, and developing local <br /> resources to strengthen the local economy. <br /> Nationally, the concept of sustainability has been advanced by several recent <br /> developments.The idea has become the focus of the National Commission on the <br /> Environment, and it was highlighted by Vice President Albert Gore in his book, <br /> Earth in the Balance. In communities across the country, information networks <br /> have been formed to promote the concept. Planning and design professions have <br /> also given attention to the subject,as evidenced by the growing number of articles <br /> and books on various perspectives of sustainability. <br /> In March of this year,Commissioner Don Willhoit presented a report to the Board <br /> of Commissioners on the concept of sustainable development and its application <br /> to Orange County. His presentation was based on his attendance at a National <br /> Association of Counties (NACo) Conference in Washington, D.C. <br /> NACo has established a sustainable development task force and will be developing <br /> model programs for counties to consider.However,until more definitive programs <br /> are available through NACo or the Shaping Orange County's Future Steering <br /> Committee,Commissioner Willhoit suggested that the Board consider adoption of <br /> a policy statement with emphasis on a"Sustainable Community"rather than just <br /> development. <br />