Bringing people together to create

great places to live, work, and play

Planning for Rural Success

APA IdahoOctober 7, 2015

Idaho Smart Growth is

Statewide nonprofit (501c3) organization Established in 2000 14 board members, 4 staff members, 30+

volunteers

We work in the overlap

“Triple Bottom Line” Strong economy Healthy natural environment Happy people

Smart growth benefits

How do we do it?

Build coalitions Provide policy and technical support Conduct research Celebrate!

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Idaho Land Use Analysis

2010-11 GOAL: review how land use planning is

working in Idaho and recommend and implement changes to keep our communities vibrant

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Partners

University of Idaho Boise State University Idaho Chapter of the American Planning

Association Idaho District Council of the Urban Land

Institute AIC, IAC

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Collected Comprehensive Plans Both City and County Plans Analyzed for congruency with Local Land

Use Planning Act Developed qualitative information

through surveys

Comprehensive Plan Analysis

Web-based database of Idaho County and City comprehensive plans and land use ordinances

http://www.bioregionalplanning.uidaho.edu/IdahoPlanning/default.aspx

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General Support for planning LLUPA provides guidance, but Insufficient technical information No state recognition of:

– Costs of preparing plan– Costs of implementing

Evenly divided over stronger state role

Comprehensive Plan Analysis Findings

?

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Planning procedures, decisions Applicants have “too much influence” Feel limited due to property rights/taking issues Lack of planning skills Too much political influence Need better information (on-line?) Hard to engage public except “NIMBY”

Comprehensive Plan Analysis Findings

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Impact fees Feel growth should pay for itself Current structure doesn’t work-

complicated, costly, burden to small communities

Comprehensive Plan Analysis Findings

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Strongest Element– Property Rights Element (must include the

State Attorney General’s Takings Checklist) Weakest Elements

– Community Design (including signs, landscape, building design, gateways and corridors)

– Hazards (including flooding, avalanche and mudslides, irrigation ditches, railroad crossings, bulk fuel storage)

Plans Congruency with state law

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Planning and growth principles Environmental concerns ranked at the top

(surface and ground water), followed by– transportation considerations – citizen input – public investment options – housing principles

Concerns about how to get it right

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BSU Observations

Need for technical assistance and consistent education

WHO ?

Idaho Smart Growth Community Assistance

Develop information (research)

Offer education

Conduct/partner in plan development

Encourage, broaden participation

Facilitate discussion

Be patient

Idaho Smart Growth Community Assistance

Build Local Capacity– Help the communities help themselves by strengthening

knowledge and working relationship of a local team to carry ideas forward

Move toward results– A policy is a place to start, action builds confidence.

Improve local conditions– Identify infrastructure, policy & non-infrastructure

improvements specific to each locale Share Examples

– Learn from each other

Get the plan right

Engage Broaden

Participants Organize Offer tools

ISG Community Assistance Examples

ITD technical Assistance Program Bring Expertise Offer affordable

tools Find opportunities

for early success

ISG Community Assistance Examples

Envision togetherISG Community Assistance

Example

3 weeks later…

3 months later…

Small towns can be nimble and move fast

Roles and responsibilities need to be clear, but people will step up

People can envision the outcome they want (shared values) – few understand how to get there

Folks are ready to act eager to learn tools.

On the ground activity is key to understanding and finding solutions – its also fun!

ISG Community Assistance Lessons

Need – No one has stepped up to meet BSU recommendations

Expertise – Land use knowledge, experience with small towns, skilled in engaging the public

Partnership – ISG, Dover, Private sector

Share results – As statewide non-profit organization we can share best practices and lessons learned to a broad audience.

Why Comprehensive Planning now?

They ask for help and are willing to try a new model

ISG loves working with communities who are committed and looking for success

We think we can hit the ground running, ISG has built a lot of knowledge and relationships in other work in the area.

Why Dover?

Bringing people together to create great places to live, work, and play

www.idahosmartgrowth.org

Thank you!