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WASHINGTON
– On April 25, 2002, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee passed, by a vote of 12-7, S.975 known as the Community
Character Act (CCA). The American Planning Association (APA)
applauds the committee for taking this critical step in support of
updated planning to enhance and preserve economic, natural,
cultural, and scenic resources of our communities. This
legislation recognizes that the federal government can be a partner
with localities in building vibrant, livable places without
intrusive federal mandates.
The
Community Character Act, introduced by Rhode Island Senator Lincoln
Chafee, provides a much-needed incentive to help states and
localities initiate and implement smart growth planning strategies.
This legislation supports planning that makes the development
process fair, open, predictable and, above all, democratic.
It is through good planning that the vision and dreams of
citizens for the future of their community are realized.
This
bill is not “top-down,” nor is it “one-size-fits-all.”
S. 975 specifically promotes public participation and allows
states and localities to choose a smart growth program that meets
the needs and context of that area.
Far from being “no growth” – as some misguided critics
have suggested – the legislation actually gives neighborhoods and
citizens needed, modern tools for coping with the increasing
challenges of accommodating and encouraging growth that improves
quality of life and overall community character.
Cities
and towns across America are facing a difficult choice between
explosive development and the preservation of community character.
Since 1990, the rates of population growth in some
communities across America have been staggering: Las Vegas 83%,
Naples, Florida 65%, Austin, Texas 48%, Boise, Idaho 46%, Phoenix
45%, Provo, Utah 40%, Atlanta 39%, Wilmington, N.C. 36%, and Denver
30%. As Senator Chafee
aptly noted, “Up-to-date
planning legislation empowers states and local governments to spur
economic development, protect the environment, coordinate
transportation and infrastructure needs, and preserve our
communities."
The
bill now moves to full Senate for consideration and approval.
A companion bill, H.R. 1433, has been introduced in the House
of Representatives. APA
calls on Congress to seize the momentum from today’s vote to give
this modest, yet vitally important, initiative final approval.
Following
the bill’s passage in committee, Sen. Chafee said, “"I
introduced the CCA for one very simple purpose: to provide limited
federal assistance to those states and tribes that want to organize
their growth," Chafee said.
Chairman Jeffords at
a March hearing on CCA noted, "planning and redevelopment tools
are one of the best ways to help cities and town become economically
vibrant and culturally cohesive communities." Senator Jeffords,
co-chair of the Senate Smart Growth Task Force, further commented
that the CCA would "provide communities that wish to plan
proactively the resources to do so.”
“The
CCA provides incentives for better planning while maintaining
flexibility for states and localities,” said W. Paul Farmer, AICP,
executive director of APA. “As we’ve seen this week with the
Supreme Court decision regarding Lake Tahoe, community planners
should be given the tools to make local decisions based on local
needs and issues.” Good planning and design make good business
sense. Long-term
planning and design help to create communities with character and a
variety of options for living and working.
As people are drawn to such places—as tourists or
residents—the economy thrives.
The
CCA would provide $125 million over five years in voluntary federal
grants to help states and communities develop or implement land use
planning legislation, conduct research and development related to
land use plans, and provide technical support for improved planning.
The bill is designed to allow financially strapped states,
cities and towns pay for the planning expertise they need to
adequately protect their communities from haphazard growth.
The
Community Character Act has received the support of a variety of
groups representing
a broad array of interests and professions working to strengthen
communities and neighborhoods through improved built and natural
environments. Support
for this legislation includes planners, architects, realtors,
multifamily housing developers, mayors, environmentalists, landscape
architects, historic preservationists, and smart growth advocates.
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