Livable Communities

The Initiative for Scenic Nevada Communities (In SNC)

To advance a livable and scenic Truckee Meadows that reflects sound growth management and community values."

A vision of the Truckee Meadows in 20, 50, 100 years

Surrounded by mountains and accented by the green ribbon of the Truckee River, Reno and Sparks enjoy a unique and beautiful setting. If we all work together to guide the ways in which the Truckee Meadows region grows and develops, we can ensure that our communities remain healthy, beautiful, enjoyable and prosperous, and that the area's outdoor beauty and recreational opportunities will support a prosperous and sustainable tourism economy for generations to come. This is the Initiative for Scenic Nevada Communities' vision of what could be and what will be if we all work together:

A: Open Space and the Environment

People in Reno and Sparks enjoy beautiful views and easy access to recreational opportunities on our public lands.

The Truckee River is the centerpiece of our region and point of pride, a ribbon of green bringing life through our communities. Along its banks are parks, walking paths, beaches and scattered walking malls, shops and restaurants, all of which invite people to enjoy the place and each other.

Air is clean, water is pure, and our open spaces support healthy populations of the native plants and animals that make this region beautiful and unique. The Truckee Meadows Rim Trail circumnavigates the Truckee Meadows, provides refreshing views and opportunities for recreation and exercise through the hills around the valley. Our public lands beyond the fringes of town are protected and offer convenient and welcoming access.

B: Community Design and Development

Being a product of our region and unique history, our communities are distinctive (not just the same old strip malls and fast food everywhere), representing architectural and development styles that reflect our natural surroundings and culture.

Our neighborhoods are people-friendly, with trees, parks, public commons and undeveloped open space. Paths, trails, parks and other open space (often called greenways) connect neighborhoods with each other, with shopping and with public lands at the edge of town. Our communities have unimpeded views of the magnificent mountains surrounding the Truckee Meadows.

Housing opportunities exist for people of all incomes and needs.

C: Transportation

• Neighborhood traffic flows smoothly at speeds that encourage walking and bicycling, and this has resulted in an increased sense of community and ownership. Congestion throughout the region is minimal, and levels of service are acceptable.
• Stores are easily accessible by autos, public transit, bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Our communities are designed to accommodate the needs and safety of both wildlife and people.
• Downtown has diverse shops and services that allow those who live there to meet their daily needs without driving or taking transit to a distant shopping mega-center.
• Billboards that hide beautiful scenery are a thing of the past.

D: Citizen Involvement

Our citizens care about the impact planning and development have on the quality of life in our neighborhoods and communities.

Citizens speak out to elected officials and agencies about their concerns, and these agencies have processes that welcome this input.

How will In SNC achieve this vision?
By concentrating on the three following types of activities:

• Educating community leaders and the public about the benefits of managed growth and alternatives to sprawl.
• Advocating for prudent land-use policies that consider long-term effects to natural resources, the fiscal health of local governments and quality of life.
• Engaging citizens in the planning and decision-making that affect their families and communities.

And using the following tools:
• Powerpoint presentations
• Brochures
• Facilitation/visioning workshops around the region
• Media campaigns to get stories in the papers, on radio and on TV
• Well-researched, visionary presentations on Smart Growth efforts/successes around the country
• Active, coordinated, visionary representation at all levels, from CABs and NABs to the City Council and Planning Commission
• Land-use policies with teeth, which will ensure visionary planning into the future.

Specific goals within areas of focus:

1. Open Space and the Environment
• Preserve existing open spaces within and on the fringes of our urban areas.
• Enhance air and water quality by reducing urban sprawl, which creates air pollution through increased traffic and water pollution through impervious land coverage (asphalt and rooftops).
• Ensure the continued availability and quality of water by preserving the natural drainage and filtering characteristics of the landscape, and promoting sound water conservation practices.
• Enhance air, water and scenic quality in the Truckee Meadows by restoring native vegetation and habitat and reducing impervious coverage as property is redeveloped.
• Advance affordable and sustainable energy use by promoting efficient energy practices and products.
• Preserve the beauty of our high-altitude night sky without sacrificing safety by promoting the use of efficient lighting on our streets and in our neighborhoods.


2. Community Development and Design
• Create additional open space and public gathering commons within our urban areas.
• Incorporate trails and greenways into every development and redevelopment project to increase scenery and quality of life, and to link the places people live with the places they want to go.
• Support incentives in devlopment investment to strengthen the region's urban centers and established neighborhoods rather than create sprawling, isolated, auto-oriented subdivisions and commercial centers.
• Encourage urban design that efficiently utilizes resources and existing infrastructure. Infill and redevelopment of aging neighborhoods and shopping areas are opportunities to revitalize the urban core and halt growth in inappropriate areas.
• Encourage the exercise of private property rights that enhances community quality of life while being consistent with community values and adopted land use policies.
• Ensure that development decisions are predictable, equitable, cost-effective and consistent with community values.
• Promote a diverse range of housing, job location, and transportation choices.
• Embrace high standards for architecture, urban design and property maintenance to reflect community pride.


3. Transportation
• Reduce sprawl, thereby reducing the need for additional streets and highways, which in turn reduces traffic congestion and driving time.
• Upgrade roads to accommodate pedestrian, cycling and transit facilities before widening roads or building new ones.
• Ensure that all modes of transportation are equitably addressed in transportation planning, design and funding. Promote safe, comfortable and accessible facilities that serve the entire population, including the old, young and disabled.
• While new development pays for impacts upon the regional transportation system, this factor should be one of several considerations in approving new roadway development. Other considerations should be impacts to existing neighborhoods, linkages to existing areas, and if new facilities support the desired regional urban form.
• Pedestrian, cycling and transit facilities need to be incorporated into all new community design.
• Beautify the public roadway system landscaping, street furniture and lighting to ensure that streets add value and blend with our region’s character. v
  
  4. Citizen Involvement
• Fully engage the public in the preparation of all community plans, policies and capital improvement projects that impact neighborhoods, communities and the region.
• Support planning processes that encourage early public input, and not simply perfunctory in order to gain "buy off" on preconceived ideas.
• Public involvement should be ongoing, proactive and collaborative, rather than limited and adversarial.
• Encourage the involvement of people and groups who have historically not participated in planning.v
• Welcome public activism because it enriches democracy.
• Encourage local governments to include and appreciate individuals who exercise their constitutional rights of expression.

On February 7, 2003, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) spoke at events in Reno at the request of Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev) on the subject of land use and transportation issues. He is often described as the "Johnny Appleseed of Livability" as he has worked with many local citizens and organizations toward more effective civic partnerships to improve land use, environment, and transportation.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) and Chairman Doug Smith

Blumenauer serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where he has focused on creating policies and partnerships that will make communities safer, healthier, and more economically secure. He is the founder of the Congressional Bike Caucus, co-chair of the Task Force on Livable Communities, and a member of the House Sustainable Development Caucus.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer has been an Oregon elected official for his entire career.

As a member of the Portland City Council and Multnomah County Commission for almost twenty years, Blumenauer championed programs and policies that led to Portland's acclaim as one of the nation's most livable cities. His impact has led to greater choices in Portland transportation, curbside recycling, safer streets and greater care for nature. He has also recognized the need for strong partnerships throughout the executive branch and has urged various agencies to take the lead in promoting sustainable growth and increased community livability.

To find out more about Congressman Earl Blumenauer, visit http://www.house.gov/blumenauer/.