Proposed Amendment to County Comprehensive Plans - Assignment Example

? The Councils of Pierce and Snohomish County Planning Policy DP-47 of the and its impacts on Pierce and Snohomish County Introduction The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Vision 2040 is a Puget Sound area regional planning document that presents planning objectives for the entire area of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. This document proposes to analyze and assess the importance, relevance, and value of this document to the counties of Pierce and Snohomish. Specifically, this report will consider Multicounty Planning Policy DP-47: MPP-DP-47: Support agricultural, farmland, and aquatic uses that enhance the food system in the central Puget Sound region and its capacity to produce fresh and minimally processed foods. (Puget Sound Regional Council, 2008, 59) The counties of both Pierce and Snohomish will have the opportunity to vote on the Vision 2040 document, and amongst its terms are the preceding. The following discussion paper will outline the policy and its various facets. It will also introduce some of the broadest national, indeed international, implications of the policy as well as the local issues of direct and immediate importance. This document will provide Pierce and Snohomish councilors with all the information necessary to make a considered and enlightened decision regarding Vision 2040, in the context of Multicounty Planning Policy DP-47. Vision 2040 and the Goals of Pierce and Snohomish Counties Vision 2040 is 'The Growth Management, Environmental, Economic, and Transportation Strategy for the Central Puget Sound Region' and was adopted by the PSRC General Assembly on April 24, 2008 and amended by the PSCR Executive Board on May 28, 2009. Consequently, it's jurisdiction covers Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Further, the Vision 2040 document identifies sustainable – social, economic and environmental - development as its core vision: The concept of people, prosperity and planet provides a central theme for VISION 2040. It describes what is referred to as the triple bottom line approach of capturing an expanded spectrum of values when planning for the future and in measuring results. It signals that the region uses an approach to public decision-making that produces social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefits. (Puget Sound Regional Council, 2008, v) As such in its general principles it corresponds precisely with the goals of the Pierce County Code Title 19A – Comprehensive Plan, 2010. This document commences with the identification of thirteen goals. One of these is (E.) 'Economic Development', and another is (J.) “Protect the environment and enhance the state's high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the availability of water.” A range of the other objectives relate to social goals and quality of life issues. Clearly, therefore, the Vision 2040 document is congruent with Pierce County's broadest policy thrusts. Such is also the case with Snohomish County. The future of Snohomish County is outlined in the Snohomish County Department of Planning and Development Services, General Policy Plan, 2011 identifies a series of themes and policy objectives that are also consonant with Vision 2040: Encouragement of development and/or redevelopment in urban areas with existing or planned public facilities and services. Reduction of urban sprawl. Adequate provision of efficient multi-modal transportation systems. Availability of affordable housing for citizens of all income levels. Promotion of economic opportunity. Respect for private property rights. Predictability and timeliness of permit review processes. Conservation of natural resources. Retention of open space and provision of recreational opportunities. Protection and enhancement of the environment. Citizen participation in the planning process. Adequate provision of necessary public facilities and services. Preservation of historic and archaeological resources. Utilization, protection, restoration and preservation of shorelines of statewide significance. (Snohomish County Department of Planning and Development Services, 2011, IN -10). Again, all of these objectives are congruent with the overall goals of Vision 2040 and its esthesis of sustainable development in the Puget Sound Region. MPP – D47 Overall congruency aside, the details of MPP – D47 demand analysis. To repeat MPP – D47 states: MPP-DP-47: Support agricultural, farmland, and aquatic uses that enhance the food system in the central Puget Sound region and its capacity to produce fresh and minimally processed foods. (Puget Sound Regional Council, 2008, 59) Essentially, MPP – D47 calls for all development strategies to recognize the importance of local production of foodstuffs whether that involves agriculture, farmland or aquaculture. (Puget Sound Regional Council, 2008, 59) The issue is whether or not MPP – D47 manifests those goals, in a practical and achievable manner. On another level, as noted earlier, it is also reasonable to ask whether MPP – D47, addresses national interests and national security goals. Consideration of these issues will follow on a priority basis. Therefore, of necessity both national security interests and local well being will be assessed. In order of priority local public health, consumption of imported oil and employment will be considered in the context of MPP – D47. A fundamental responsibility of government is public health. Even now as federal legislatures debate health care reform both parties to the debate agree that the well-being and health of the American populace is their shared goal. Further, public health is a key component of the social leg of sustainable development. Thus, the Vision 2040 document states, “the region's communities will be planned and designed to promote physical, social, and mental well-being so that all people can live healthier and more active lives.” (Puget Sound Regional Council, 2008, 59) That fresh, locally grown produce and foodstuffs are healthier than older products that have been shipped over long distances and times is universally accepted. Locally the North Kitsap Herald ran an article in February, 2011 highlighting the health benefits of locally grown food, subtitled “You are What you Eat”. Locally grown food reaches the consumer at its peak ripeness and its freshest, offering the highest nutrient content and the best flavor. (Jennings, 2011) Therefore, in terms of public health locally grown food offers tremendous benefits. Further, if these benefits are translated into better levels of health throughout the community it reduces medical and healthcare costs. In a broader sense also locally grown food has an opportunity to contribute to local health and well being. Land reserved for agricultural use improves the local environment, mitigates the heat-sink effects of the urban areas in the region, and offers aesthetic benefits to the residents. In every sense then, locally grown food is an important element of the lifestyle and social goals of the Pierce and Snohomish county councils and of the Puget Sound Regional Council. Locally grown food, perhaps unexpectedly also has national and international implications. According to Vision 2040, “The food system is highly dependent on fossil fuel consumption, traveling on average 1,500 miles before reaching our plates — often in refrigerated containers.” (Puget Sound Regional Council, 2008, 59) With locally grown food that number is reduced, literally, one hundredfold, to perhaps fifteen miles. The President, and his Republican predecessor, both acknowledge that dependence on foreign oil, particularly from the Middle East, is one of America's strategic burden. Locally produced food greatly reduces the consumption of, and need for, foreign oil: As such it directly addresses a national security priority. Simply put, locally grown food reduces the United States' reliance on foreign oil and addresses the federal government's national energy strategy. Locally grown food is a national security priority and MPP – D47 addresses that issue and provides a partial solution to the problem. Recommendations Regionally, nationally and internationally MPP – D47 has positive implications for residents of the counties of Pierce and Snohomish, and of the Puget Sound region overall. Therefore, the only recommendation that can be made to the Pierce and Snohomish Councils is that the Vision 2040 policy, in the context of MPP DP – 47, must be adopted and wholeheartedly applied. Bibliography Pierce County. Pierce County Code Title 19A – Comprehensive Plan, 2010. http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/xml/Abtus/ourorg/council/code/title%2019a%20pcc.pdf. Puget Sound Regional Council. Vision 2040. 2008. http://psrc.org/assets/366/FullReport.pdf. Jennings, Erin. 'Unearthing your food: They say you are what you eat, so learn ways to grow your own'. North Kitsap Herald.February 25, 2011. |http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/lifestyle/116774259.html. Snohomish County Department of Planning and Development Services. General Policy Plan. 2011. http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/PDS/Divisions/PlanningandTechnology/LR_Planning/Projects_Programs/Comprehensive_Plan/General_Policy_Plan.htm. Read More