LUC%20presentation%204.12.22

Grow Smart RI Presentation to the Land Use Commission Smart Growth: A Powerful Land Use Strategy for Improving Economic Opportunity and Quality of Life Tuesday April 12, 2022 Smart Growth can achieve community development goals and improve quality of life To do it, we'll need: ◼ Increased local capacity, education and training for officials and development practitioners ◼ Funding for infrastructure improvements to support density ◼ Incentives and technical assistance for zoning innovations ◼ Stronger partnerships between state and municipalities Key Points ◼ RI land use laws are not perfect and need revision but aren't the main barrier ◼ Smart growth tools are already working ◼ Municipalities need training, technical assistance and funding ◼ Municipal solicitors need training on land use laws ◼ Developers/site designers need training ◼ A standing technical advisory group is warranted to carefully assess ongoing revisions to land use laws Where are we? ◼ 80%+ Rhode Islanders still live in urbanized areas along the Bay & major rivers ◼ And nearly 80% already live within a 10-min walk of a transit stop • RI Vision from Land Use 2025 What is Smart Growth? Smart growth integrates the work of diverse stakeholders to advance and support healthy, resilient, opportunity-rich, and sustainable communities for everybody, everywhere. What Are the Benefits of Smart Growth? ◼ Sustainable Economic Growth ◼ More Affordable, Healthy Transportation Choices ◼ Housing Diversity and Affordability ◼ Environmental Stewardship – Climate Goals ◼ Quality of Life ◼ Improved Public Health Smart Growth Land Use Techniques ◼ Transit Oriented Development (TOD) ◼ Downtown and Main Street Revitalization ◼ Mixed Use Zoning and Development ◼ Conservation Development ◼ Transfer of Development Rights Transit Oriented Development Conant Thread District Pawtucket / Central Falls Vibrant Downtowns and Main Streets The Benefits of Villages South County Commons Office: 54,000 sq.ft. Retail: 70,000 sq.ft. Residential: 460 Net Revenue: $1.3 million Conservation Development MUNICIPAL ADVANTAGES: - Preserves land without buying it - Reduces town services costs for roads - Increases tax value of site Economic Advantages Landowners ◼ Construction costs reduced by 40% ◼ Lots sell 47% faster ◼ CD Lots sold for 17% more $ than standard ◼ National Association of Realtor's study found an increase of 20-29% Source: The Economics of Conservation Subdivisions, Rayman Mohamed (2006). Urban Affairs Review Conservation Development Environmental Advantages ◼ Preserves vegetated buffers along wetlands, streams, and ponds to protect water quality ◼ Reduces stormwater runoff by cutting down on impervious surfaces like streets and driveways ◼ Protects critical habitat and travel corridors for wildlife ◼ Reduces fragmentation of forest blocks and other unique habitats Transfer of Development Rights Owner of “sending” parcel sells development rights in exchange for permanent conservation easement. Owner of “receiving” parcel buys development rights to build at densities higher than allowed under base zoning. receiving area sending area BE LB No =e > oH rE Te Te pa ¢ Ie ¢ SE —— Sa E=—=a 5 = Sy pr = ed it — . = Sv I. EF FoR REN Led fr # gs BE" A. ie. Jpn CA EERE ed Ee Ha J eo Jy 5 a oe IIE ON Air A 82 date  : =r E ee” eeermsease oo ‘ [Ze mie fue © LAER YEE Ce teen be 1 AEA as eZ < WES woe ane NE NS la oe AGE ra- : EES Si, a BASES Tae an Le Peary), AS eC Sa HENS 0  % oe in rr ; LE ema I Bt Sea. oe Ieee she, see Rl Oe =r Ore pa Lal Si oe Yi | = Toemgm oe T/0f == = Same NC AEEL P= if | mag B00 WN = am PERNA eet Ld Bl = — ape Wo MEA Co Hee ? 3  Additional Tools to Implement Smart Growth ◼ State Historic Tax Credit ◼ Rebuild RI ◼ Municipal Infrastructure Grants ◼ Super Tax Increment Financing ◼ Housing Funding and Incentives ◼ Brownfield Funding ◼ Reform of standards for granting zoning variances Key Take-Aways ◼ Municipal Board/Commission Training ◼ Training for attorneys, developers, site designers ◼ Municipal Land Use Technical Assistance ◼ Funds: (Re)development Planning/Implementation Next Steps ◼ Enable TDR ◼ Division of Planning Training / Circuit Rider ◼ Local Development Fellows Program (MA) ◼ Adequately Capitalize Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program ◼ Promote availability & use of existing housing incentives (FY2022 State Budget) ◼ Chapter 40-A Housing Choices TOD Zoning (MA) ◼ Chapter 40-R The Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District Act MA) ◼ CT Incentive Housing Zones (IHZ) ◼ Enact proposed funding for Main Street RI Program ◼ Renewable energy siting reform ◼ Reform statewide standards for granting zoning variances Thank you.... Grow Smart RI 144 Westminster St, Suite 303 Providence, RI 02903 www.GrowSmartRI.org Scott Wolf Executive Director [email protected] John Flaherty Deputy Director [email protected] Scott Millar Manager of Community Technical Assistance [email protected] Jillian Finkle Director of Special Projects [email protected]