Agenda - 08-25-2008- c2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 1 of 2 lo`l Tom Altieri From: James Carnahan ~carnahan@mindspring.coml Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 11:51 AM To: Tom Altieri Cc: Donna Baker Subject: Comp Plan comments for PB Aug 6 mtg The Village Project has continued to follow the Comprehensive Plan Update process. Upon reviewing the agenda of the Planning Board's July 9 meeting, and notes from that meeting, we became aware of some proposed changes to the text of the Comprehensive Plan Update and would like to make the following comments. We request that these comments be included in the public record of the Comprehensive Plan Update. 1) In Chapter 1, "Towards a Sustainable Future," changes have been proposed to the original May 6 language in section 1.3.3 that read: "Identification of growth opportunity areas near transit comdors and along major thoroughfares encourages more public transportation use by County residents." The proposed change reads as follows, including removal of the term "Growth Opportunity Areas:" "Higher residential densities near transit corridors and along major thoroughfares may encourage more public transportation use by County residents." This is a significant change that misses an important point about what comprises "sustainable" development patterns. Higher residential densities alone do not necessarily lead to walkble, transit- supportive development. To ensure walkability and effectively reduce COz emissions and other environmental impacts -and to create neighborhoods with a strong sense of place and community - higher residential density must be accompanied by: * mixed use, including neighborhood shopping and a full range of employment opportunities; * streetscapes and urban characteristics that retain human scale and create solid, affirmative ambience for pedestrians and bicyclists; * public transit in operation or in planning for operation within 2-3 year term; * narrow, lower-speed street grids, designed after turn of the century streetcar neighborhoods, not modern suburban parkways." For further elaboration please refer to the attached file, Smart Growth -- As Seen From the Air by John W. Holtzclaw, former Chair of the National Sierra Club Transportation Committee, that explores the relationship between urban characteristics and reduction of vehicle miles traveled. We support use of a term such as "growth opportunity areas" that is accompanied by a clear definition that would prescribe a fully walkable, energy reducing & open space conserving development outcome. 2) This revised language in ED Objective 2.6 was proposed at the July 9 Planning Borad meeting: 8/6/2008