ICLEI Webinar Sustainability in the Master Plan and Zoning Code

ICLEI Webinar Sustainability in the Master Plan and Zoning Code

Sustainability in Grand Rapids 2000 2002 New Master Plan 2004 2005 Neighborhood Pattern Workbook 2006 2007 Form-Based Zoning Ordinance 2007 2008 Triple Bottom Line Community Indicator Report 2007 2010 Green Grand Rapids (MP Update) 2009 2010 Sustainability Plan 2010 2011 Streets Plan

Why Sustainability in GR?

2002 Smart Growth Master Plan

Plan Grand Rapids Process Planning Process: ~2 years, 250+ meetings, 3000+ citizens

Smart Growth Tenets Strengthen, and direct development towards, existing communities. Mix land uses. Encourage compact development patterns and building design. Create a range of housing choices and opportunities. Provide a variety of transportation choices.

Smart Growth Tenets con t Create walkable and accessible neighborhoods. Foster distinctive, attractive development with a strong sense of place. Preserve farmland, open space, natural beauty and critical environmental areas. Encourage stakeholder and community collaboration. Made development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective.

Master Plan Themes Great Neighborhoods Vital Business Districts Strong Economy Balanced Transportation A City in Balance with Nature A City that Enriches our Lives Partnerships

Implementation "The push factor involves a force which acts to drive people away from a place and the pull factor is what draws them to a new location." (Matt Rosenberg: Author of The Handy Geography Answer Book) A push propels you into change. A pull is more an internal force that leads you to proceed with change.

Implementation: Push Master Plan Area-Specific Plans Neighborhood Pattern Book Zoning Ordinance Development Projects

Implementation: Pull Targets/ Benchmarks Programming for Outcomes Goals Vision Master Plan Indicator Report Sustainability Plan Department Performance Management Plan City Budget Benchmarking

Pattern Work Book

Neighborhood Types

Street Comparison

Land Use Comparison

Form of Structures - Residential

Effective November 5, 2007 Revised September 22, 2008

Basis for Zoning Ordinance The principles of Smart Growth, LEED-ND criteria, Transect and Transit-Oriented Design (TOD) concepts, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) standards and the Vision of 3,000 Grand Rapidians served as the basis for the new City of Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance.

Zone Districts TN - Traditional Neighborhoods TN LDR Low-Density Residential 5.5.02.A. TN MDR Mixed-Density Residential 5.5.02.B. TN CC City Center 5.6.02.A. TN TCC Transitional City Center 5.6.02.B. TN TBA Traditional Business Area 5.6.02.C. TN TOD Transit-Oriented Development 5.6.02.D. MCN - Mid-20th Century Neighborhoods MCN LDR Low-Density Residential 5.5.03.A. MCN - MDR Mixed-Density Residential 5.5.03.B. MCN C Commercial 5.6.03.A. MCN TOD Transit-Oriented Development 5.6.03.B. MON - Modern Era Neighborhoods MON LDR Low-Density Residential 5.5.04.A. MON MDR Mixed-Density Residential 5.5.04.B. MON - C Commercial 5.6.04.A. MON - TOD Transit-Oriented Development 5.6.04.B.

LEED-ND LEED-ND: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development Developed by the US Green Building Council, Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council Integrates the principles of New Urbanism, Smart Growth and Green Building into the first national standard for neighborhood design Reviewed LEED-ND rating system for fit with the new zoning ordinance; recommending a voluntary checklist

LEED-ND Simply by following zoning ordinance, projects can achieve 28-58 LEED-ND credits. Certified 40-49 Silver 50-59 Gold 60-79 Platinum 80-106

Parking Requirements No requirements for existing structures Downtown; new buildings 1 space per 1,000 square feet. Parking reductions for secure bike parking, and more for showers and bike work stations. Parking spaces for carpooling or vanpooling counts as 2 regular parking spaces. Parking requirements may be reduced for buildings, structures or uses within 300 feet of a Bus Rapid Transit station or 100 feet of a transit stop. Planning Director has the ability to waive 50% of all parking. 1 bike parking space for every 10 automobile parking spaces.

Green Requirements No more than 33 percent of any single plant species. Invasive species are not allowed. 70 percent native species. Minimum green space requirement. Green roofs Porous pavement 100% stormwater mitigation

Renewable Energy Many zoning ordinances explicitly prohibit renewable energy; our goal was to encourage it. Solar panels permitted outright in all zone districts. Wind facilities for on-site power generation (non-utility; tend to be smaller scale) permitted in all zone districts. Wind facilities for utility-scale power generation (large scale; tied to the grid) permitted in some zone districts (open space, industrial, etc.).

Community Challenges Decreasing amount of vacant land Downsizing of GRPS Shrinking city resources Emerald Ash Borer Awareness of tree canopy benefits Requests for bike lanes Stormwater management issues Underutilization of Grand River Local food interest Economic development strategy

Green Grand Rapids City-Wide Topics Parks + Recreation Greening Connections Natural Systems Grand River Local Food

Citizen Engagement Steering Committee Stakeholder Interviews Green Pursuits Green Gatherings Inventory Atlas Analysis: Ecological Framework, Park Accessibility, Urban Forest Canopy Objectives, Strategies, and Actions Special Studies Community Champions

Parks Provide an accessible park within ¼ mile of all residents

Greening Increase the tree canopy to 40%

Greening

Natural Systems Reduce stormwater runoff and increase infiltration Connect the ecological framework

Connections Complete Streets Bike Lanes

Local Food New Downtown market Change policies and ordinances Community garden locations with ¼ and ½ mile walking radii defined (faint orange), grocery store locations within 1 mile (blue) and farmer s market locations (pink).

Grand River Expand recreation Improve water quality

Community Champions Friends of Grand Rapids Parks Urban Forestry Committee Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition West Michigan Environmental Action Council Downtown Development Authority Grand Rapids White Water

Sustainability Plan FY2011-2015 Sustainability Plan Important philosophical shift Replaced organization s 3-year Strategic Plan Triple Bottom Line approach: Managing the Economic, Social, and Environmental Resources of the City through a Framework of Sustainability Outcomes and Targets Master Plan and Green Grand Rapids served as the genesis for a number of terms and desired outcomes

ENV 1. ENERGY AND CLIMATE PROTECTION ENV 1.1 - Outcome: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint) and impact on climate change. Climate change is a significant threat to our society Target 3: Reduce total direct and indirect CO2 emissions by 10,000 metric tons by June 30, 2013. Target 4: Increase miles of on-street bike lanes to 100 miles by June 30, 2014. Target 5: Develop 4 miles of new sidewalks by June 30, 2012. Target 7: Add ¼ mile of new sidewalks on major or regional streets by June 30, 2011.

Implementation Near-term implementation measures that staff can direct and/or control to some degree City departments must align budget service packages to sustainability outcomes and targets Departments report progress quarterly online

Building for a Sustainable Future Develop community ownership Focus on Smart Growth Regulate for quality design Green infrastructure = quality of life Measure and celebrate success Sustainability is a process, not a goal

Thank you! Suzanne M. Schulz, AICP Planning Director City of Grand Rapids sschulz@grcity.us 616-456-3646