Summer 2002
Could Model Zoning Ordinance Bring the Valley Back to the Future?
A 1910 photo of downtown Fresno sent to us by planner Dan Zack
reminded us of the old adage "the more things change, the more
they remain the same." Its early 20th-century pedestrian environments,
wide sidewalks, bicycles and mixed-use buildings are all envisioned
in a model zoning ordinance developed at the turn of the 21st century
by a coalition of builders, businesspeople and farmers in Fresno
County.
Over the past few years, the concepts of smart growth and livable
communities have gained increasing attention throughout the Valley.
As the agencies ultimately responsible for land use policies, local
governments are crucial for implementing smart growth principles
that support compact, mixed-use and walkable communities.
Unfortunately, even in cities whose officials have voiced support
for smart growth, current zoning codes present a big obstacle to
implementing these concepts. In fact, many Valley communities’
zoning codes make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for
developers to build smart growth projects.
With support from the Federal Highway Administration and the Packard
Foundation, the Fresno Growth Alternatives Alliance sought to address
this impediment through its Livable Neighborhood Development ordinance.
The Alliance solicited input from the Cities of Fresno and Reedley,
and the Local Government Commission provided research assistance.
The Alliance developed the LND as an implementation tool for its
award-winning policy document, A Landscape of Choice. All 16 local
governments in Fresno County have adopted the policies and principles
of Landscape, which created a common vision for future development
to utilize urban land to create walkable, livable communities and
help preserve the region’s valuable farmland.
The LND provides for four separate districts, along with recommended
street standards, which can be used in tandem or individually. The
districts provide a phasing of development intensity from the primarily
single-family Livable Neighborhood Development Residential District
up to the more urban mixed-use district.
 Mixing
uses, reducing parking requirements and street widths, creating
pedestrian-friendly designs, and giving attention to infill development
are planning themes that underlie the entire document.
The City of Lemoore has already used the LND to encourage smart
development. This spring, its city council voted to place all unentitled
land under Planned Unit Development zoning and to use the LND as
development guidelines for these areas. Lemoore’s planning
commission is currently developing a zoning ordinance and alternative
street design guidelines based in part on the LND model zoning ordinance.
"We want to create a truly livable community where people
have the option to walk to work, a park or grocery store and can
choose from a number of different housing options," said Lemoore
Mayor Ed Martin.
With the backing of the San Joaquin Valley Building Industry Association,
the American Farmland Trust, the Fresno Business Council, the Fresno
County Farm Bureau and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, this tool
has the credibility of support from a diverse group of interests.
To receive a free CD with the LND ordinance and Neighborhood Designer,
an interactive design tool to support community and public efforts
for sustainable development in the Central Valley, call John Miller
at American Farmland Trust (559) 627-3708 or e-mail jmiller@farmland.org.
LGC Developing Handbook on Smart Growth Codes
As part of this larger initiative, the Local Government Commission
is creating a guidebook for local governments that want to change
their zoning codes to foster smart-growth development. The LGC has
researched over 150 zoning codes and land development regulations
in preparing this manual. To inaugurate its release, the LGC will
hold three San Joaquin Valley workshops this fall. For more information,
call Steve Hoyt at (916) 448-1198 x 301 or e-mail shoyt@lgc.org.
FUNDING: Tree Planting Funding Available
California ReLeaf announces a maximum of $5,000 per applicant is
available to nonprofit and community groups for tree planting projects
on public lands. Application deadline is September 20, 2002.
For more information, visit http://www.tpl.org/releaf/
or call (916) 1673, x12.
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