Background:
Strip MallStates across the U.S. are attempting to limit sprawl through intelligent land use planning. So called Smart Growth initiatives target new development while protecting the environment and promoting quality communities. The government can offset policies that inadvertently encourage sprawl by providing economic incentives for communities and projects that adhere to Smart Growth principles, such as redevelopment, pedestrian friendliness, historic landmark preservation and protection of open space. Solution:
Support initiatives to encourage communities to plan for sound growth, including pending legislation to:
- Set a statutory standard for the amount of training required as a condition for reappointment of municipal planning and zoning officials,
- Allow the governing bodies of municipalities (as opposed to citizens), to initiate a process of annexation to change local boundaries to facilitate regional approaches,
- Allow municipalities to share sales tax revenues (as well as property taxes) in order to encourage cooperation instead of competition for economic activities and community facilities.
- Fund municipal or regional TDR banks that would help to preserve land and focus growth in accordance with local and regional smart growth plans.
What you can do: