Shaping a Sustainable Future: Development and Community Preservation

Working Together

CMRPC, March 14, 2013

E. Heidi Ricci Senior Policy Analyst

Mass Audubon

Resiliency

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the current generation without diminishing quality of life for future generations

economy

environment community

Diversity

Vitality

Central MA – Rich and Diverse Communities

Natural beauty, habitat, and land and water resources

And historic downtowns and

centers of economic activity

Losing Ground: Beyond the footprint

April 13, 2009

Land Use Trends

Kathy Sferra ©

Bigger Houses on Bigger Lots = More Sprawl

• 47,000 acres of natural land was developed between 1999-

2005

• 87% of the land lost was due to residential development

The ‘Sprawl Frontiers’

Costs of Sprawl

Infrastructure maintenance:

Community and quality of life issues

Water quality and recharge

Loss of forests and farmlands

Long commutes, shopping trips Energy intensive

- Pavement maintenance - Stormwater

Residential Development & Habitat Loss

Will the Expanding Cycle of Sprawl Repeat Again?

Shaping the Future of Your Community Program

Working in the state’s fastest developing regions to provide community leaders and concerned citizens with tools and support to chart a more sustainable future

www.massaudubon.org/shapingthefuture

• Traditional Values • Climate Mitigation

• Resiliency for People and Wildlife

Forests

Water Resources

Prioritize Protection: Important habitat and Green Infrastructure

Prioritize Development:

Concentrate near infrastructure and away from important natural resources

Infrastructure: Use Efficiently

Charting a More Sustainable Approach

Regional Plans – Implementation Toolkit www.massaudubon.org/495Toolkit

Regional Themes

PDAs

• Downtowns, town centers and villages

• Housing: Diversify, connect to jobs, commerce

Infrastructure: interchanges, transit, water supply and treatment

PPAs

• Preserve farms, forests, historic sites

• PPAs: Connect open space – trails and habitat

Regional Prioritization Plans Implementation

www.massaudubon.org/495Toolkit

Revitalizing Your Downtown

Align Zoning with Community Goals

Meeting Housing Needs

• Cost

• Diversity of housing types

• Proximity to transit, jobs, and services

Nearly half the U.S. population – 150 million baby boomers and their children – may be in the market for walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods with

smaller homes. (Brookings Institution, 2011)

Real estate values over the next 25 years will rise fastest in communities with a compact mix of residential and commercial districts in a pedestrian-

friendly configuration (Real Estate Research Corp., 2002)

Open Space Planning

Focus land conservation on areas most critical for long-term persistence of rare and other native species, exemplary natural communities and a diversity of ecosystems Align local plans and zoning

Look beyond parcel and municipal boundaries – connect habitat and trails for people

Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape –BioMap2

Central MA is home to many rare and endangered species, including. . .

Wood Turtle

Bald Eagle

American Bittern

Blue Spotted Salamander

Orange Sallow Moth

Open Space Design provides flexibility that reduces conflicts between

landowner development interests and protection of natural resources such as rare species habitat, wetlands and

waterways, and forests and farmlands.

Development and Preservation Can Occur at the Same Time - if your community’s bylaws allow it!

− Boards Must Issue Permits if a Project Meets Minimum

Requirements

− State Zoning Act limits flexibility available to

communities -- “An Act Promoting the Planning and Development of Sustainable

Communities” would provide needed reforms.

“You get what you zone for”

Charting a More Sustainable Approach

Protect important land and water resources through zoning and

regulations Don’t have to buy all the open space

that needs protection

Provides landowner with more flexibility

Attractive and marketable results

Conventional Subdivision Zoning

Natural Resource Protection Zoning

Credit: Jeff Lacy, DCR

Community Preservation Act

Dedicated local fund for:

• Historic Preservation

• Open Space and Recreation

• Housing

Surcharge on local property taxes (up to 3%)

10% of the funds raised each year allocated to each of the three categories, other 70% is

flexible

Includes annual state matching funds

CPA in 2012: 155 Communities (44% of state)

CPA Results to Date

• Over $1 billion raised for CPA projects

• 2,900+ appropriations to restore and preserve historic resources

• 18,000 acres of open space protected

• 5,000 housing units

• 800 recreation projects

Clean Energy and Climate Change Tools

• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

• Green Communities

• Greening Transportation

• Energy Efficiency

• Protecting Natural Carbon Storage and Resiliency

© Andrew Sylvia, Westford Solar Park

Costs of Sprawl – Energy Intensive!

Preserving Forest Lands

• Compact development and land conservation keeps forested and natural (carbon absorbing) lands intact • Massachusetts’ forests are sequestering 12% of our annual carbon emissions! • Every acre of forest holds 85 TONS of carbon • Natural landscapes absorb rainfall during storm events, decreasing flooding, and filter the air and our drinking water

More Intense Storms 100-year - 24 hour Design Storm Comparison

County TP-40 Rainfall

(inches) NRCC Rainfall

(inches) Percent Change

Barnstable 7.1 8.2 16 % Berkshire 6.4 7.6 19 % Bristol 7.0 8.6 22 % Dukes 7.2 8.3 15 % Essex 6.4 8.8 38 % Franklin 6.2 7.4 19 % Hampden 6.5 8.0 23 % Hampshire 6.4 7.6 19 % Middlesex 6.4 8.5 33 % Plymouth 6.9 8.7 26 % Worcester 6.4 8.2 29 %

Water Resources and Climate Change

Remove barriers to fish and

accommodate storm flows

Green infrastructure

and low impact

development

No Regrets Solutions

Mass Audubon Sanctuaries

Connecting People of all Ages to Nature and Outdoor Activity

• People who connect with and understand the natural world value its presence in their community. • Connecting these individuals to local efforts to preserve and protect their town’s natural systems is a logical step from appreciation to action.

Connecting People with Nature and Encouraging Civic Engagement

Leading By Example

Results: Reduced carbon emissions by 50% since FY 2003

• 30 photovoltaic (solar) arrays at 21 wildlife sanctuaries – total of 260 kW • Solar hot water systems at 5 sites • Improved efficiency in heating, lighting, equipment, and vehicles statewide • Water-conserving plumbing fixtures and appliances • Rain gardens, barrels and cisterns.

Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

Reducing our energy usage and demonstrating renewable energy technologies

Tools for Planning

Online Tools and Information

Water Resource Protection and Infrastructure Tools

• Water Resources Information

and Planning

• Water Infrastructure Financing

• Stormwater Management and Low Impact Development

• Green Infrastructure

• Restoration of Rivers and Floodplains Rain garden in

Worcester

Workshops

http://www.apa-ma.org/resources/publications/nrb-guidebook

Subdivision Regulations – Low Impact Development

Recent Partners include. . .

- State agencies - MA Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development - Exec. Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs - Dept. of Agricultural Resources -Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

- Local and National Non-profits - Community Preservation Coalition -US Green Building Alliance - MA Chapter of the American Planning Association

- The Development Community - MassDevelopment - Development and consulting firms

- Regional land trusts - Watershed associations - And more!

www.massaudubon.org/shapingthefuture