Post on 23-Feb-2016
description
Beyond Sustainable Communities
A Transitional Moment for Regions
Jacob LiebSustainability Manager
For California Planning RoundtableNovember 9, 2013
Regionalism?
• Regions are the critical unit for most issues– Growth– Economy– Environment– Transportation
• Regional government is another story– MPOs, COGs, special districts
Anticipated Future Growth, SCAG Region
3
Quest for Relevance and Visibility
Recent Past
• Blueprint Plans• Popular Member
Programs • Regional
Comprehensive Plans
• Changes in Transportation Planning
• SB 375!
What regional agencies are good at• Data
• Technical analysis and tools
• Coordination• Consensus building
• Member service
What regions struggle with• Top down policy and mandates• Mediating differences and disputes• Balancing planning requirements and member
orientation
So are Regional Agencies Emerging?
SB 375 in Retrospect
• Started out as CEQA reform• Regional agencies as instrument of state
growth policy• GHG or other outcomes?• Procedural or high level policy instrument?• Big deal or not a big deal?
SB 375 to Date
SCSs complete in 4 large regions• GHG targets met• Viewed as successBUT . . .
SB 375 to Date, Cont.
• 50% lawsuit rate in large regions
• What’s up with CEQA streamlining?
• Follow through(a mixed bag)
A Little Bit About the Plans
• Continuing progress on land use efficiency• Transit and active transportation investment• SCAG major push on transportation
finance/pricing• Lots of public involvement and meaningful input• Other key policies
– TDM– Vehicle Technology
13
3 Overarching Strategies
allocate
ONLY 13%capital investment
to highways
focus over
50%growth within
3%land area
FROM 7:3single- vs. multi-
family units
TO 3:7
Outcomes of the RTP/SCS A More Sustainable Region
• Exceeded requirements
• Reduced GHG and VMT
• Improved health outcomes
• Economic growth and jobs
• Fresh outlook on transportation finance
• Many other co-benefits
-Energy, water, open space conservation
14
Year Target2012
RTP/SCS Results
2020 8% 9%2035 13% 16%
State MandateSB 375 GHG Reduction
focus over50%
growth within3%
land area
HQTAs (2035)
Major issues to be worked out• Scoping Plan Update• Cap and Trade
Investments• ZEV Action Plan• SB 743 and further
CEQA tinkering• Strategic Growth
Council post-Prop 84
What happens next
• More questions than answers– Integration of AB 32– Effective CEQA changes– Real investment– Conclusion of legal challenges
What regions are doing to follow up
• Implementing plans• Local assistance
programs• Joint work with
County Transportation
Commissions• Looking for money
Thank You!