Quality Growth Communities

1. Quality Growth Communities Presentation to the American Planning Association Utah Chapter Convention September 24, 2004

2. Why are we Here? • To direct state infrastructure funds to communities that plan for the future. • To encourage local governments to deliver services efficiently • To “Create our Best Tomorrow.”

3. Quality Growth Commission • Created by the Quality Growth Act of 1999 • 13 member board appointed by Governor • Includes developers, farmers, real estate, city, county, state officials, citizens at-large • Three statewide responsibilities: Assist local governments with planning Preserve critical lands Advise Legislature & Governor on growth issues

4. Promoting Quality Growth • Delineate Principles of Quality Growth • Define Quality Growth Communities • Develop Implementation Strategies

5. Principles of Quality Growth • Local Responsibility • State Leadership • Economic Development • Efficient Infrastructure Development • Housing Opportunity • Conservation Ethic

6. Quality Growth AreasLegislative Intent • Define Quality Growth Communities • Identify and create priority to state funds for QG Communities

7. Developing the Concept • Scoping Meetings with Department Directors • Quality Growth Communities Subcommittee • Define current funding requirements • Define Quality Growth Community • Presented to Governor’s Quality of Life Coordinating Committee and the Cabinet • Presentations to Boards and Commissions • Executive Orders Signed by Governor

8. Initial State Agency Partners • Four State Agencies are participating so far: • Department of Environmental Quality • Division of Drinking Water • Division of Water Quality • Department of Natural Resources • Division of Water Resources • Dep’t of Community & Economic Dev. • Department of Transportation

9. Quality Growth Communities – The Vision • A Quality Growth Community creates a responsible balance between the protection of natural resources - land, air, and water - and the requisite development of residential, commercial, and industrial land to accommodate our expanding economy and population. • It integrates multiple housing choices with commercial areas and preservation of critical land. • Quality Growth Communities also use infrastructure, natural resources and public resources efficiently. • A Quality Growth Community recognizes the impact it has on neighboring communities and seeks to cooperate to solve common problems while protecting private property rights.

10. Intent of the Program • Align state infrastructure spending with Quality Growth. • Provide “Priority Funding for Quality Growth Communities” that choose to be certified, and recognize such communities. • Certification is a voluntary, incentive based, technically assisted effort. • Certification is not required.  

11. Certification — How It Works • Quality Growth Commission subcommittee reviews applications. • Subcommittee creates technical teams to review each area of the application. • Subcommittee recommends communities. • Quality Growth Commission makes Certification.

12. Phase-in Period • Institute a three-year phase-in period. • Provideprovisional certification. • Plan to meet requirements in three years. • Assess communities progress annually. • Re-certification during phase in requires significant progress on plans.

13. All Requirements Proposed are Pass/Fail. • Community that doesn’t meet requirements will not be certified. • If requirement doesn’t apply, community may: • Note that it does not apply. • Explain why it does not. • If it can’t meet the requirements by itself, a community may work with neighbors to meet requirements in context of greater community or region.

14. What is a Community? • A community is a political subdivision (City, Town or County) or a Special Service District, Transit District or other public service provider. • Multiple communities may cooperate to meet the requirements for designation. • For example, not every community needs to build every type of housing. • Neighboring communities can aggregate housing to meet requirements. • Need formal agreement to aggregate assets.

15. Quality Growth Communities Four Broad Areas Community Must Address: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Housing • Conservation Ethic

16. Economic Development • A Quality Growth Community • Must complete an Economic Development Plan that: • Assesses economic strengths & challenges. Applies strengths, addresses weaknesses. •       Integrates jobs, housing, commercial & public services, or shows it fills need within greater community. • Addresses education needs as part of economic development. Dialogues with education community. • Recognizes Quality of Life as important component of economic development.

17. Infrastructure • A Quality Growth Communityaddresses infrastructure connections to neighboring communities in plans, ordinances. • Has An infrastructure plan including all of the following which apply: • Transportation Plan • Water Conservation and Development Plan • Sewer, and Storm Water Management Plan • Natural Resources and Energy Conservation Plan • Capital Facilities Plan

18. Housing • A Quality Growth Community • Has affordable housing plan & is implementing it within its own borders, or by working with the greater community. • Defines Affordable Housing as: • Opportunity to maintain residency within community at all stages of life cycle. • People working in the community can afford to live in the community. • Plans and ordinances are in place which permit a wide range of housing types and housing cost. • Addresses barriers to affordable housing.

19. Conservation Ethic • A Quality Growth Community: • Inventories critical lands.   • Develops a land conservation plan. • Preserves historic buildings, landscapes. • Reduces waste. • UsesConservation pricing. • Cooperates to maintain air, water quality. • Conserves water, energy. • Develops using water, energy, land efficiently. • Uses water, energy-efficient technology.

20. Quality Growth Service Providers • Special Districts: • Provide infrastructure for local Governments. Must be part of Quality Growth discussion • Designated as “Quality Growth Service Providers.” • Districts get benefits of QG Community. • Preference in state funding, • Special recognition from Governor • Other a benefits

21. Quality Growth Service Providers Requirements: • Meet requirements as defined for the services they provide • Demonstrate that they cooperate with municipalities, and counties they serve to plan for service delivery.

22. 19 Applications Received in the First Cycle 3 Counties Summit Tooele Carbon 14 Cities Salt Lake City West Valley City Sandy City Provo City West Jordan City Riverton City Draper City Payson City West Point City Roy City Riverton City Orem City Murray City Midvale City 2 Special Districts Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District Utah Transit Authority

23. Next Steps • Meet with applicants to clarify issues or concerns. • Meetings or phone calls are now being scheduled with first cycle applicants • Award First Cycle Certifications • First Cycle Certification Luncheon is scheduled for October 20, 2004 at Governor’s Mansion • Begin accepting applications for further Certifications as they come in • Develop Toolbox and expand technical assistance

24. State of Utah Agencies with Possible Incentives • Board of Water Resources • Drinking Water Board • Water Quality Board • Private Activity Bond Review Board • Utah Housing Corporation • Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund • Permanent Community Impact Fund Board • Transportation Commission • Community Development Block Grant Board

25. Contact Information www.qualitygrowth.utah.gov Dan Lofgren, Chair, Quality Growth Commission 801-424-4400, dlofgren@cowboygroup.com Carlton Christensen, Chair Quality Growth Communities Subcommittee 801-321-8753,carlton.christensen@ci.slc.ut.us John Bennett, Project Manager Governors Office of Planning and Budget 801-538-1027, jbennett@utah.gov

26. Please Help Us Out • We need your help. Please fill out our planning survey. • It is available on-line. Here is the link: http://webapps.dced.state.ut.us/survey/entry.jsp?id=1095970763041 Or go to one of our webpages at qualitygrowth.utah.gov or planning.utah.gov and look for the link.