Incorporating Sustainability into Metro Vision

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At the DRCOG Board of Directors 2009 annual retreat, attendees expressed a desire to incorporate sustainability into the most recent major update of Metro Vision 2035, adopted in February of 2011. The Board subsequently identified several sustainability concepts, goals and potential policy updates for further exploration.

Click here to view a summary of the actions the Board has taken to date. See below for further details regarding this effort.

• To obtain stakeholder input on the issue of regional sustainability, DRCOG hosted two workshops or "Sustainability Cafes" on July 29 and Aug. 10, 2009.
  
  
• At a Sept. 2, 2009, study session, the Board reviewed outcomes from the Sustainability Cafes, including a list of 30 sustainability concepts.
  
  
• At its Oct. 21 meeting, the Board identified 17 concepts it will consider further as part of its ongoing conversation on regional sustainability goals; 11 that DRCOG's current plans and programs specifically address and 6 six that are within DRCOG's purview, but not overtly addressed in current plans and programs. Click on the links below for more details.
  
  
  • Agenda memo from the Oct. 21 Board meeting
  • Sustainability concepts for discussion
    
    
• At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Board decided to explore six potential sustainability goals and thier implications for inclusion in the Metro Vision 2035 update. Click here to view the agenda memo from the meeting, including the six potential goals.
  
  
• DRCOG presented an initial analysis of the draft sustainability goals at the Feb 3, 2010 Metro Vision Issues Committee (MVIC) meeting . MVIC discussed DRCOG staff’s proposed work plan for incorporating sustainability into the Metro Vision, Regional Transportation Plan and TIP Preparation Policy updates. Click here to view the presentation from the meeting.
  
  
• At its February meeting, the Board accepted MVIC’s recommendation on proposed goal revisions, work plan, and committee format for the continued exploration of incorporating sustainability in the update of Metro Vision 2035. View the Board agenda item.
  
  
• At its March meeting MVIC discussed Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Policy recommendations related to sustainability goal/concepts A) to increase the rate of construction of transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities and B) to reduce the percent of trips by single occupant vehicle (SOV). View the agenda and presentation.
  
  
• At its April 7 meeting, MVIC discussed TIP policy recommendations related to sustainability goal/concepts C) to locate 50 percent of new housing and 75 percent of new employment in designated urban centers and N) to reduce per capita transportation greenhouse gas emissions. Click here to view examples from other MPOs. View the agenda.
  
  
• DRCOG hosted two Planner Idea Exchanges in April to obtain local planning staff input on updates to Metro Vision policy. View information on the April 21 PIE concerning Metro Vision urban center policies and the April 28 PIE concerning urban center TIP policies.
  
  
• At its May 5 meeting, MVIC discussed Metro Vision policy recommendations related to sustainability goal/concept C) to locate 50 percent of new housing and 75 percent of new employment in designated urban centers. Click here to view the meeting agenda. A presentation of the ULI report Growing Cooler preceded the MVIC meeting. Click here for information on the presentation speakers. View Jerry Walters' presentation on Growing Cooler, Carlos Hernandez's presentation on Calculating VMT, and Cynthia Cody's presentation on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
  
  
• DRCOG hosted a Planner Idea Exchange in May to obtain local planning staff input on updates to Metro Vision policy. View information on the May 19 PIE concerning Metro Vision senior-friendly and community design policies.
  
  
• DRCOG hosted a Planner Idea Exchange in June to obtain local planning staff input on updates to Metro Vision policy. View information on the June 16 PIE concerning Metro Vision policies regarding the efficient use of natural resources.
  
  
• At its July 7 meeting, MVIC discussed Metro Vision policy recommendations related to sustainability concept G)to integrate land use and transportation planning and expand the senior friendly development section to cover broader community design and L) to promote efficient use of natural resources and the goal of reducing per capita water use. Click here to view the meeting agenda.
  
  
• At its September 1 meeting, MVIC reviewed a summary of activities that DRCOG has undertaken to incorporate sustainability into Metro Vision, including actions and recommendations of the DRCOG Board and MVIC. Click here to view the summary.
  
  
• At its October 6 meeting, MVIC discussed policy recommendations related to the sustainability concept of promoting efficient use of natural resources and the goal of reducing per capita water use. Click here to view the summary. Click here to view the staff presentation.
  
  
• At its November 3 meeting, MVIC reviewed the Livable Community Subcommittee’s recommended refinements to the Urban Centers and Community Design policies, continued its discussion on water conservation, and received a briefing on the draft Metro Vision plan document that will be released for public comment in November. View the agenda summary on the Livable Community Subcommittee recommendations and water conservation. Click here to view the draft Metro Vision plan document.
  
  
• DRCOG held a public hearing on the update to the 2035 Metro Vision Plan Dec. 15, 2010. For further information view the notice of public hearing.
  
  
• On Feb. 16, 2011, the DRCOG Board adopted the updated Metro Vision 2035 plan. View the Metro Vision 2035 Plan and the Metro Vision 2035 maps.
  
  

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