Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office (ESO) Envision 2040 Briefing Environment & Sustainability Office October 21, 2011
Five Items to Cover What is Sustainability? Why is it important? What is the Environment & Sustainability Office (ESO)? What will be the City s Sustainability Plan? What were the results and implications of the AIA Sustainability Design Assessment Team (SDAT) report? What is the short term work program for the City s sustainability efforts and the ESO?
What is Sustainability? development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs - United Nations World Commission on Environment & Development, 1987 a long-term approach which takes into account the inextricable nature of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of development activities - Quebec Sustainable Development Act Sustainability, as a model of development, seeks to meet the current demands of society without compromising the rights of future generations to meet theirs. That is to say, the development of the country cannot be based on the unbalanced exploitation of resources (natural, cultural, social, etc.) to meet the demands of society. (food, housing, health, employment) because these are the only resources we have, and that future generations have, to meet our and their own needs. - Sustainable Programs Department of Costa Rica Tourism Institute
City of Virginia Beach Mayor s Vision Statement Like many cities, Virginia Beach has set a goal to become a sustainable city. Our vision is to be the healthiest of cities healthy in our citizenry, our government and infrastructure, our economy, our environment, our culture; a city renowned for its quality of life. To achieve this vision, we need real ideas, real steps and real solutions
What can a Sustainability Strategy help Virginia Beach do in the Longer Term? Workforce development, retention and attraction of young professionals Bolstered tourism and increased recognition; defined local niche Improved infrastructure Optimized operational and maintenance costs Attraction of general businesses insisting on green locales and recruitment of green industry Increased opportunities for potential investment Diversification and enrichment of our local economy
Why Sustainability in Virginia Beach? Multiple renewable energy resource opportunities Unique, strategically critical geographic location Strong military and maritime industry in region Favorable climate Exemplary natural and historic resources Strong agricultural base Naturally attractive location and connectedness to the natural environment (largely intact and functional ecosystems) Established and expanding tourism destination Strong educational base with tremendous further potential we re approaching another critical crossing, and we have an urgent need to mold new models that are both affordable and sustainable. I m asking you to think ahead - Mayor Sessoms, 2010 State of the City Address
Why Sustainability in Virginia Beach? Better Sustain Natural Environment Green Infrastructure, Urban Forestry Management Plan, TMDL Implementation Plan Development Agricultural Strategy Oyster Heritage Restoration Strategy and Seafood Industry Better Sustain Built Environment Energy Efficiency Retrofits Building Lifecycle Costs Infrastructure Maintenance Climate Change Adaptation Attract Sustainable Economic Development Alternative Energy Development Offshore Wind, Biodiesel Expanded Research Partnerships with ODU, NSU, TCC and Others Workforce Training and Development for Green Jobs Save City Money Convention Center as Model Study Potential for Reorganization to Better Utilize Limited City Resources Aggressively Pursue Grants and Other Funding Sources
Recommended metropolitan tree canopy: East of Mississippi and Pacific Northwest: 40% average Southwest and West: 25% average American Forests
Virginia Beach s 2007 agriculture economic impact: $100,000,000
Rainey s Gut Reef Construction
Pre-Columbian Development Pattern
1700 Development Pattern
1800 Development Pattern
1900 Development Pattern
1950 Development Pattern
2010 Development Pattern
Future by Comprehensive Plan
US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL - 2010
Private homes consume 20% total US energy consumption US Environmental Protection Authority
Americans are in the habit of never walking if they can ride. Louis Philippe, Duc d Orleans, 1798
Why sustainability in Virginia Beach? Provides a means for focusing a wide array of City activities and initiatives around a common focus Helps to serve as an anchor for community values and standards Helps to define what Virginia Beach stands for and is known for Helps to market Virginia Beach as a green community to attract tourism and sustainable economic development
What is the Environment and Sustainability Office (ESO)? Created July 1, 2010 to position the City to address and respond to increasing array of sustainability-related issues and opportunities In line with actions of most major U.S. cities with populations over 250,000 to centralize similar functions Currently housed in Department of Planning No new FTE s involved in office creation
Environment & Sustainability Office Mission The Environment and Sustainability Office exists to provide leadership and guidance to the communities of Virginia Beach for addressing the challenges of the present by restoring, conserving and harnessing our natural resources to meet the needs of future generations.
Environment and Sustainability Office City Manager James Spore Deputy City Manager Steve Herbert Planning Director Jack Whitney Environment and Sustainability Office Deputy City Manager Dave Hansen Energy Management Administrator Lori Herrick Environment and Sustainability Administrator Clay Bernick Environmental Operations Coordinator Rick Scarper Planner II Linda Bregant Planner III (50% Time) Carolyn Smith Planner II Calvin Jackson Planning Technician II (Full Time Temporary Position) Svetla Tomanova Planning Aide I (Part Time Volunteer Position) Josh Griffin Environmental Inspector III Lonnie Warren Environmental Inspector II David Compton Planner I (Full Time Temporary Position) Charles McKenna
Existing City Groups & Public Involvement Supported by New Office Wetlands Board Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board Energy Advisory Committee Green Ribbon Committee Clean Waters Task Force Sustainability Advisory Team Joint Energy Committee
What will be the Virginia Beach Sustainability Plan? A document prepared with extensive community involvement that will define recommendations for City policy and actions to move the City forward in a broad array of areas (environmental/physical, economic, physical, and social/cultural) to enable the City to be a more sustainable community.
What kinds of issues will the Sustainability Plan address? Environmental Economic Social Energy and Climate Natural Systems Planning and Design Economic Prosperity Employment and Workforce Training Arts, Education and Community Children, Health and Safety Affordability and Equity
How will the Sustainability Plan be unique? Long planning horizon 2063 (City s 100 th Birthday) Regional context Metrics to gauge implementation Integrated goals, recommendations, strategies
Other Communities with Exemplary Sustainability Plans New York, NY Chicago, IL Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA Portland, OR Seattle, WA Denver, CO Charlotte, NC Arlington, VA Charlottesville, VA Chesapeake, VA Sarasota, FL
How will the plan be Developed? Alignment with City Mission, Council Vision and Strategic Plan, Sustainable City Model, Envision 2040 work effort, and other adopted policies and plans Recommendations from the AIA s SDAT Program work Input from a series of facilitated public input sessions, Steering Committee, Focus Groups Presentation to Council of final draft document for adoption early summer 2012
Final SDAT Recommendations Urban Design - walkability & connectivity; articulate neighborhoods; establish connections; centers along transit boulevard; mixed use development at beach; open space; phased implementation Agriculture neighborhood markets; preserving farm(er)s/watermen; connecting to the country best practices; local food system Transportation & Complete Streets - provide viable choices to shift a proportion of SOV to alternate modes (light rail, bus rapid transit, bicycle and pedestrian systems); complete streets Green Economy - Increase Communication; Grow the Energy Efficiency Sector; Pursue Renewable Energy Investments; Prepare Your Workforce; Leverage Growth Along Light Rail to Create Communities
Timetable for New Plan Fall 2011 Complete Documentation of existing City plans, policies, actions and initiatives that relate to sustainability Winter 2012 Initiate community open house effort to solicit public input Late Spring 2012 Release initial draft plan for citizen feedback Summer 2012 Complete final draft plan for presentation to City Council for adoption
Virginia Beach Sustainability Is: NOT simply a series of actions A comprehensive lens of how we look at EVERY city action Community engagement the City cannot do it alone Lower energy use & higher renewables Viable multimodal transportation options Mixed use walkable redevelopment Farms AND the farm economy Healthy natural systems Ready for sea level rise Green Economic Development
Short Term Work Program for Sustainability Complete strategic planning process for new Environment & Sustainability Office December 2010 Begin effort to develop new City Sustainability Website and Gateway for related information Spring 2011 Complete revisions to City Procurement Policy Summer 2011 Initiate Sustainability Plan development process Summer 2011 Briefings to City Department Leadership Team and Strategic Issue Teams Summer & Fall 2011 Submit City s Virginia Go Green 2011 application to VML September 2011 Designation of Department and Program Staff Contacts to form a City Sustainability Team Fall 2011 Seek funding sources to support the City s sustainability efforts through grants - Ongoing
a sustainable city = a healthy city
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA A Community for a Lifetime and A Community for Lifetimes to Come!
Questions?