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• <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 6. 1994 <br />Agenda Abstract <br />-Item # ~-D <br />SUBJECT: SUSTAINABLE CO]V~12UNITIE3 PRINCIPLES <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HF.ARIl~TG: Yes X No <br />ATTACIEII1~iENTB: 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 22?-2081 <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 />• BACHGROUND: 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 prnmote 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 gear, 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, Co**+**+~a~oner Willhoit suggested that the Board consider adoption of <br />. a policy statement with emphasis on a "Sustainable Community" rather than just <br />development. <br />