SECTION: LAND USE LINKAGE
REGIONAL ISSUES ––
During the development of the RGMP, our Steering Committee established a prioritized list of the issues facing our region.
Those issues informed the development of various aspects of the RGMP, including the scenario planning performance measures, and will continue to do so throughout TCRPC’s ongoing implementation efforts.
COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION
Transportation planning and investment traditionally focuses on accommodating automobile drivers, often to the detriment of other users. Transportation, land use and economic development plans need to be developed in an integrated manner, designed and operated with all users and land uses in mind and serving all users equally.
Existing Land Use & Cover interactive map application
AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
The supporting infrastructure's long-term maintenance costs increase over time and, unfortunately, our communities lack tools to recoup those costs after development has occurred. Developing tools to help municipalities and government agencies cooperatively estimate or anticipate these costs can alleviate pressure on both budgets and operations.
INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE
Our region’s growing communities need infrastructure that can grow and adapt. Access to public sewer and water service is a driving factor in land development decisions, as areas that lack it have limited potential density. Identifying these preferred or anticipated expanded service areas is an important aspect of any planning activity.
NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION
Our region’s natural resources account for more than 50 percent of our total land area. Unplanned, low-density, dispersed development threatens to impact our region’s vast natural resources and the benefits we get from them. Infill, redevelopment and compact, contiguous development must be encouraged to preserve and protect our natural areas and resources.
INEFFICIENT LAND USE PATTERNS
Patterns of development are linked to virtually every land planning issue. Inefficient use of land, often in the form of non-contiguous, low density development, makes it difficult to provide services and access daily needs while increasing the cost of development and maintaining the supporting physical infrastructure.
UNREALIZED POTENTIAL FOR REUSE
Municipal regulations and market forces often encourage development of “cheaper” land in less densely developed/populated areas, discouraging the use or reuse of land within areas of existing services and infrastructure. Inefficient land use patterns put our older, established communities at an economic disadvantage, while also increasing the long-term provision and maintenance costs for the communities in which the development does occur.