Community Planning and Resiliency

Elizabeth Boo Thomas

March 18, 2011

Who is CPEX?
Every Community in Louisiana made extraordinary through planning excellence.
CPEX helps create highly functional, equitable communities throughout Louisiana that capitalize on their unique qualities through community-driven planning and implementation.

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What Do We Do?
Outreach and Education Planning and Implementation

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PLANNING IN LOUISIANA

PLANNING IN LOUISIANA

Parish Planning Activities

64 54
50

41 21 21 22 10

14

18

Source: Maloney-Mjica, Lynn. 2007. Factors associated with the adoption of land use planning in Louisiana parishes prior to the hurricane season of 2005. Master's Thesis, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

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PLANNING IN LOUISIANA

Municipal Capacity
Population of Louisiana Cities, Towns, and Villages
21%
60% Between 1990 - 2000

Population Loss

40%

79%

< 5,000 Pop.

> 5,000 Pop.

Lost Population

Did Not Lose Population

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PLANNING IN LOUISIANA

Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan

50-year guide for growth and development 35 coastal parishes Largest community outreach effort in U.S. History (27,000 citizens)
Surveys 2,500+ Workshops 1,000+ Regional Polling 23,000+

Engaged people in choices and consequences

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Results of the Process

Implications of Plan on Future Planning:
Heightened the need for local comprehensive planning and land development regulations Encouraged better coordination across state agencies for coastal restoration and protection Heightened the need to sustain our natural systems at the state, regional and local levels

LOUISIANA SPEAKS

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COMMUNITY PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

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CPEX Community Planning

Adopted Plans Plans in Progress Toolkit Pilots
E. Feliciana W. Feliciana East Baton Rouge Tangipahoa Ascension Lafayette St. Charles Jean Lafitte Lafourche

Jena Vernon

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What is a Comprehensive Plan?

Shared community vision Policy blueprint 15-20 years Coordination of government and private programs, major projects and funding opportunities

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

Comprised of Elements Land Use Transportation Economic Development Public Infrastructure/Utilities Housing and Human Services Parks and Open Space Historic, Environment and Coastal Resources Community Facilities
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Why is Planning Important?

Allows the municipality to direct growth rather than simply being the recipient of growth. Consistency and predictability, which leads to economic development. Leverage public investment with private development.

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Why is Planning Important?

The trouble with land is that theyre not making it anymore. -- Will Rogers

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Jenas Vision Town Plan

IMPLEMENTATION

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Community Visioning Workshop

Keep Highway in Town Reduce Traffic on Oak Street (Hwy. 84) Make Streets More Pedestrian-Friendly Preserve Oak Street, Fill in the Gaps Offer More Housing Options Capitalize on Hunting and Fishing Industry Provide Something for Young People to Do Accommodate Retirees

IMPLEMENTATION

IMPLEMENTATION

Highway 84 DOTD Options

Option 1: Small Bypass Option 2: Two Lane Couplet

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IMPLEMENTATION

Highway 84 DOTD Options

Option 3: Large Bypass Option 4: Small Couplet

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IMPLEMENTATION

Downtown Couplet
Existing Aerial Proposed Downtown Master Plan

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IMPLEMENTATION

Highway 84 Character Map

IMPLEMENTATION

Highway 84/Oak Street

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IMPLEMENTATION

Highway 84/Oak Street

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One Year Later

Over 15 projects underway:
Grants Pilot Streetscape City Park Improvements Strand Theatre Filled Vacant Storefronts Town Square Low income Housing

IMPLEMENTATION

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Best Practices Manual and Coastal Ordinances

COASTAL PLANNING

COASTAL PLANNING

Why Coastal Communities?

Need more than just good evacuation plans Standard development practices arent appropriate in Louisianas Coastal Areas Need to develop best practices for coastal development that is designed for the geography, economy and culture of the coast Need to prepare against the various risks faced by our communities

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PLANNING IN LOUISIANA

Coastal Parishes
Adopted Comp Plans Zoning Subdivision Regulations I-Codes Only

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COASTAL PLANNING

Coastal Louisiana without Action in 2100

1,335,000
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PLANNING IN LOUISIANA

The Best Practice Manual

Strategies that are appropriate to Louisianas unique geographies and cultures. Empowering local decision makers Community scale tools and strategies Building scale tools and techniques

STRATEGIES FOR COASTAL PLANNING

Strategies for Communities

Prevent flooding
Build levees; Sediment diversion; Strengthen borders of flood prone areas; Armor and fill

Adapt to occasional flooding

Develop community-wide approaches that adapt to occasional floodwaters; Develop resiliency; Minimize property damage from flooding

Relocate when absolutely necessary

Relocate part or all of a community to a more stable area

COASTAL PLANNING

Coastal Ordinances
Grew out of the Louisiana Land Use Toolkit Build upon the research, recommendations and strategies in the Best Practice Manual Focus on Hazard Mitigation and Natural Resource Protection

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How does planning make a community resilient?

Rally around common goals Proactive, instead of reactive More competitive Flexible Back on feet quicker

Resilient in the wake of economic, environmental, or other disasters

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CHANGE IS INEVITABLE, so plan for it!

If we dont do anything, the coast will change, the economy will change, development will happen Use the knowledge we have Plan for change Keeping our plans flexible Use your plan to attract resources
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www.cpex.org facebook.com/centerforplanningexcellence twitter.com/cpex_la Elizabeth Boo Thomas boothomas@cpex.org