PRESERVATION and PROGRESS IN THE DRAGON RUN

PRESERVATION and PROGRESS IN THE DRAGON

RUN


RUN


RUN

COORDINATING LAND USE POLICIES AND PRACTICES


RUN

COORDINATING LAND USE POLICIES AND PRACTICES

PARADIGM DESIGN January 25, 2005 Work Session

PROJECT OVERVIEWPROJECT

OVERVIEW

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND


Memorandum of Agreement adopted in 2001




Land Use Policy Audit completed in 2003






Watershed Management Plan adopted in 2004 (3 counties)








2005: Preservation and Progress - Coordinating Land Use Policies and Practices




2005: Preservation and Progress - Coordinating Land Use Policies and Practices

PROJECT OBJECTIVESPROJECT OBJECTIVES


Implement the goals & objectives of the Dragon Run Memorandum of Agreement


MISSION, GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE DRAGON RUN MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

MISSION: To support and promote community-based efforts to preserve the cultural, historic, and natural character of the Dragon Run, while preserving property rights and the traditional uses within the watershed. GOAL IEstablish a high level of cooperation and communication between the four countieswithin the Dragon Run Watershed to achieve consistency across county boundaries. OBJECTIVE ADevelop a plan to address the inevitable future development pressure to changethe traditional use of land in the Dragon Run Watershed. OBJECTIVE BAchieve consistency across county boundaries among land use plans andregulations in order to maintain farming and forestry and to preserve naturalheritage areas by protecting plants, animals, natural communities, and aquaticsystems. OBJECTIVE CProvide ongoing monitoring of existing plans and planning tools in order toassess traditional land uses and watershed health and take action necessary topreserve the watershed. OBJECTIVE D Comprehensively implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) for waterquality, wildlife habitat, and soil conservation. GOAL IIFoster educational partnerships and opportunities to establish the community’sconnection to and respect for the land and water of the Dragon Run. OBJECTIVE AEncourage experience-based education consistent with the Stewardship andCommunity Engagement goals of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. OBJECTIVE BPromote the community and economic benefits of the Dragon Run derived fromits natural characteristics and traditional uses such as farming, forestry, huntingand fishing. GOAL IIIPromote the concept of landowner stewardship that has served to preserve the DragonRun Watershed as a regional treasure. OBJECTIVE AAddress the potential dilemma of preserving the watershed’s sense of peace andserenity by protecting open space and reducing fragmentation of farms, forests,and wildlife habitat versus the landowners rights in determining or influencingfuture land use. OBJECTIVE BEducate landowners about the regional importance of the Dragon Run.

GOAL I:

Establish a high level of cooperation and communication between the four countieswithin the Dragon Run Watershed to achieve consistency across county boundaries.

GOAL I:

Establish a high level of cooperation and communication between the four countieswithin the Dragon Run Watershed to achieve consistency across county boundaries.

OBJECTIVES:

A. Develop a plan to address the inevitable future development pressure to change the traditional use of land in the Dragon Run Watershed. B. Achieve consistency across county boundaries among land use plans and regulations in order to maintain farming and forestry and to preserve natural heritage areas by protecting plants, animals, natural communities, and aquaticsystems.

OBJECTIVES:

A. Develop a plan to address the inevitable future development pressure to change the traditional use of land in the Dragon Run Watershed. B. Achieve consistency across county boundaries among land use plans and regulations in order to maintain farming and forestry and to preserve natural heritage areas by protecting plants, animals, natural communities, and aquaticsystems.



Develop model planning policies and standards for the Dragon Run






Work with each County to adopt consistent land use policies to protect the Dragon Run and encourage compatible economic development uses



Work with each County to adopt consistent land use policies to protect the Dragon Run and encourage compatible economic development uses

SCOPE & SCHEDULESCOPE & SCHEDULE


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

KICK OFF & ORGANIZATIONAL

MODEL COMP PLAN DISTRICT

MODEL ZONING OVERLAY DISTRICT

ILLUSTRATIVES & PUBLIC PRESENT.

PHASE 1: DEVELOPING THE MODEL DISTRICTSPHASE 1: DEVELOPING THE MODEL DISTRICTS

PRODUCTION OF DELIVERABLES

KEY MEETINGS


KEY MEETINGS


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

COUNTY TECHNICAL MEMORANDA

WORK SESSIONS WITH COUNTY STAFF

PUBLIC INFORMAT. MEETINGS

SUPPORT FOR ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS

PHASE 2: WORKING WITH THE COUNTIESPHASE 2: WORKING WITH THE COUNTIES


ONGOING MEETINGS


ONGOING MEETINGS

ROLESROLES

ROLESROLES Citizens at large:

Landowners and other stakeholdersInput, evaluation and consensus on recommendations

Dragon Run Steering Committee:Core group of Landowners and County officials to represent stakeholdersDevelop key recommendations for model districts for the Dragon Run

County Officials:Boards of Supervisors and Planning CommissionsReview, evaluate and adopt recommendations for each County

Citizens at large:Landowners and other stakeholdersInput, evaluation and consensus on recommendations

Dragon Run Steering Committee:Core group of Landowners and County officials to represent stakeholdersDevelop key recommendations for model districts for the Dragon Run

County Officials:Boards of Supervisors and Planning CommissionsReview, evaluate and adopt recommendations for each County

ROLES - (cont’d)ROLES - (cont’d)

County Staff:County Administrators, planners & othersReview, refine and “customize” recommendations

Planning District Commission:SAMP DirectorTechnical and organizational resource

Consultant:Paradigm Design - Land Use & PlanningTechnical “staff” to Steering Committee and Counties

County Staff:County Administrators, planners & othersReview, refine and “customize” recommendations

Planning District Commission:SAMP DirectorTechnical and organizational resource

Consultant:Paradigm Design - Land Use & PlanningTechnical “staff” to Steering Committee and Counties

Questionsor Comments?


LAND USE POLICY AUDIT

LAND USE POLICY AUDIT

THE LAND USE POLICY AUDITTHE LAND USE POLICY AUDIT

Comprehensive “Audit” of the 4 Counties in 2003.

Looked at: Comprehensive Plan Zoning Subdivision Chesapeake Bay & Others

Looked at both regional scale & site scale

Comprehensive “Audit” of the 4 Counties in 2003.

Looked at: Comprehensive Plan Zoning Subdivision Chesapeake Bay & Others

Looked at both regional scale & site scale


FINDINGS:

Comprehensive Plans give little policy guidance about the Dragon Run

Zoning Ordinances allow some incompatible uses (auto graveyards, landfills, etc.)

Special Districts (DRCD & Chesapeake Bay) are generally “streamside” protections

Subdivision Ordinances generally control density (2-6 units maximum for Minor Subdivisions)

FINDINGS:

Comprehensive Plans give little policy guidance about the Dragon Run

Zoning Ordinances allow some incompatible uses (auto graveyards, landfills, etc.)

Special Districts (DRCD & Chesapeake Bay) are generally “streamside” protections

Subdivision Ordinances generally control density (2-6 units maximum for Minor Subdivisions)

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:

All Counties

ZONING:

All Counties

EXISTING CONDITIONS:

•100 Year Floodplain

•Wetlands

•Existing Structures

•Parcel Sizes

EXISTING CONDITIONS:

•100 Year Floodplain

•Wetlands

•Existing Structures

•Parcel Sizes

CURRENT POLICIES:

•5-Ac. average lot size

•“By Right” development

•2-6 Lots per parcel under Minor Subdivision

CURRENT POLICIES:

•5-Ac. average lot size

•“By Right” development

•2-6 Lots per parcel under Minor Subdivision

TYPICAL FARM:

•100 Ac. farm & forest

•Traditional farmstead

•Fronts on Dragon Run

•Ches. Bay RPA/RMA

TYPICAL FARM:

•100 Ac. farm & forest

•Traditional farmstead

•Fronts on Dragon Run

•Ches. Bay RPA/RMA

CURRENT POLICIES:

•6 Lot Minor Subdivision

•4 waterfront lots (5-10 ac. each)

•2 farm lots (20-30 ac. each)

•Clearing permitted outside Ches. Bay area

CURRENT POLICIES:

•6 Lot Minor Subdivision

•4 waterfront lots (5-10 ac. each)

•2 farm lots (20-30 ac. each)

•Clearing permitted outside Ches. Bay area


OPPORTUNITIES:

Adopt model planning districts in the Comprehensive Plans of the 4 Counties?

Adopt Zoning Overlay districts in the Counties?

Align Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances?

Develop “Owner’s Manual” for Dragon Run landowners (voluntary guidelines)?

OPPORTUNITIES:

Adopt model planning districts in the Comprehensive Plans of the 4 Counties?

Adopt Zoning Overlay districts in the Counties?

Align Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances?

Develop “Owner’s Manual” for Dragon Run landowners (voluntary guidelines)?

TRENDS & ISSUES

TRENDS & ISSUES

Why change things now?Why change things now?

Why change things now?

Landowners have effectively conserved the Dragon Run to date





Current development pressures are low







BUT - development pressures are influenced by regional, national, even global trends









Will the current policies / ordinances conserve the Dragon Run in the future?





Will the current policies / ordinances conserve the Dragon Run in the future?

Why do we have these growth issues?

The causes of growth problems are regional, national and global, and yet . . .

Why do we have these growth issues?

The causes of growth problems are regional, national and global, and yet . . .

ISSUESISSUES

The solutions are mainly implemented by localities:

The solutions are mainly implemented by localities:

ISSUES (cont’d)ISSUES (cont’d)

New “knowledge-based” economy allows people to live anywhere.

70% of American households do not have school age children

Demographers now predict long-term gradual dispersal of the population into small towns and rural areas

New “knowledge-based” economy allows people to live anywhere.

70% of American households do not have school age children

Demographers now predict long-term gradual dispersal of the population into small towns and rural areas


The edges of Metro regions are starting to merge:

The edges of Metro regions are starting to merge:


Once an area is “discovered,” it is often beyond the power of a locality to prevent major land development

There is pressure to develop before the “land boom” dies

Growth taxes the road, water, sewage treatment systems (and the residents)

New populations bring different perceptions - vote on different priorities

New taxes on landowners mean even more pressure to “convert” rural land

Once an area is “discovered,” it is often beyond the power of a locality to prevent major land development

There is pressure to develop before the “land boom” dies

Growth taxes the road, water, sewage treatment systems (and the residents)

New populations bring different perceptions - vote on different priorities

New taxes on landowners mean even more pressure to “convert” rural land



Citizens often seem to “want it both ways”- they dislike:

New roads AND traffic congestion

Dispersed growth AND density

Expensive AND cheap housing

Citizens often seem to “want it both ways”- they dislike:

New roads AND traffic congestion

Dispersed growth AND density

Expensive AND cheap housing

Dilemmas faced by scenic rural areas (e.g.Dragon Run):

Traditional industries (timber, forestry) face global commodity value declines

Welcome new sources of income - BUT don’t want changes in quality of life

Desire to see the resources protected BUT don’t want to tell others what to do with their land

Dilemmas faced by scenic rural areas (e.g.Dragon Run):

Traditional industries (timber, forestry) face global commodity value declines

Welcome new sources of income - BUT don’t want changes in quality of life

Desire to see the resources protected BUT don’t want to tell others what to do with their land


LOW DENSITY – HOUSES ON 2ac.-5ac. LOTS SPREAD OUT OVER THE LANDSCAPELOW DENSITY – HOUSES ON 2ac.-5ac. LOTS SPREAD OUT OVER THE LANDSCAPE

We should be interested in what kind of community we will leave for our children:

Can we leave it, Greater More Prosperous More Beautiful

than we found it?

Edward McMahon, Middle Peninsula, November 30, 2004

We should be interested in what kind of community we will leave for our children:

Can we leave it, Greater More Prosperous More Beautiful

than we found it?


Failing to plan means planning to fail:

We spend too much time fighting over what we disagree on - not enough time on what we agree on!

Develop a Vision for the Future

Build local plans around the enhancement of natural & cultural assets

Use education, incentives and voluntary initiatives - not just regulations

Develop a “quality of life” lobby


Failing to plan means planning to fail:

We spend too much time fighting over what we disagree on - not enough time on what we agree on!

Develop a Vision for the Future

Build local plans around the enhancement of natural & cultural assets

Use education, incentives and voluntary initiatives - not just regulations

Develop a “quality of life” lobby


The causes of sprawl are regional or national, but the tools are implemented locally

The Dragon Run Steering Committee is an excellent resource for developing these tools

The timing is critical to begin developing these tools for the Dragon Run today

The causes of sprawl are regional or national, but the tools are implemented locally

The Dragon Run Steering Committee is an excellent resource for developing these tools

The timing is critical to begin developing these tools for the Dragon Run today

In Summary:In Summary:

1. GIVE FEEDBACK

2. EVALUATE /CRITIQUE THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES

3. PARTICIPATE!

1. GIVE FEEDBACK

2. EVALUATE /CRITIQUE THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES

3. PARTICIPATE!

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PRESERVATION and PROGRESS IN THE DRAGON RUN