|
| SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY BLUEPRINT NEWSLETTER |
|
Blueprint Regional Advisiory Committee begins regional values and vision discussion
|
At a summer workshop in Fresno, a group of local stakeholders known as the Blueprint Regional Advisory Committee (BRAC) began the process of discussing possible regional values that might be common across the region.
Upon completion of the process, the BRAC will have developed a statement of regional values and vision that will work together with other Blueprint products to enable local implementation of the Blueprint plan. In framing the discussion, the BRAC is considering multiple values, such as the economy, protecting natural resources, and preserving regional uniqueness and community identity. For more information on the BRAC or to get involved, visit www.valleyblueprint.org/brac.aspx
|
top |
|
Kern scheduling for Fall 2007 Workshops
|
|
In Kern County to date, more than 800 people throughout the county joined the Kern Council of Governments in developing a new blueprint for their community’s growth over the next 50 years.
Kern COG began public outreach for the Kern Regional Blueprint Project in March. Eighteen town-hall meetings have been held in Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Taft, Delano, Arvin, Frazier Park, the Kern River Valley, Greenfield, Bakersfield, Lamont, Shafter, Wasco, Mojave, McFarland, and Metro Bakersfield. The meetings offered Spanish translation and handouts printed in English and Spanish.
As in other Valley counties, the Blueprint process is designed to help regions plan for future growth and quality of life through the integration of transportation, housing, land use, economic development and environmental protection.
Participants decided on several common visions for their communities, including:
- Expanded and improved educational system and job training;
- Economic diversity and jobs;
- Proactive planning for growth, with an emphasis on curbing sprawl, and preserving agriculture and open space;
- Improved medical services;
- Additional public services for all ages, including recreation and community events, childcare, youth activities, and senior services;
- Walkable neighborhoods;
- Improved infrastructure including better roads, bikeways, and public transit;
- More housing choices and affordability;
- Improving air quality; and
- Use of alternative energy sources.
A second set of meetings scheduled for late Fall 2007 will use the visions and values identified in Phase I to formulate a preferred growth scenario. For more detail email Robert Phipps rphipps@kerncog.gov |
top |
|
Merced plans September workshops
|
The Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) has hired Lori Flanders to focus on Blueprint outreach. In August, Lori will give over a dozen presentations to community clubs, agencies, and high school groups. At these meetings, attendees use “clicker” technology to answer questions about why they live in the San Joaquin Valley, where they think people will live, work and shop in 2050; where they would prefer to see future growth; and what that growth should include.
In September, outreach continued with three workshops in different areas of Merced County. Using “U-Plan”, a scenario comparison software program developed by UC Davis with extensive input from MCAG, participants manipulated maps showing various growth options, then compare choices and recommend the pieces and parts they like best for Merced County’s future.
Those choices will be refined further when the top-ranked pieces of a future plan are included in three scenario options and taken back to the public in another round of workshops. For more information, email Candice Steelman at Candice@mcagov.org.
top |
|
Highway 99: First projects
|
The California Transportation Commission has allocated those funds for high priority projects along Highway 99, with an emphasis on additional lanes and interchanges. These are among the first projects encompassed by the Highway 99 Corridor Enhancement Master Plan, a multibillion plan to improve the road’s capacity and aesthetics. While it’s just the start, work will first being on the following projects:
Tulare and Fresno Counties
Widen to six lanes, Goshen-Kingsburg
Fresno and Madera Counties
Widen to six lanes, Ashlan Ave. to Ave. 7
Madera County
Improve Ave. 12 Interchange
Merced County
Widen Four-lane expressway to six-lane freeway from the Madera County line to Buchannan Hollow
Merced County
Widen Four-lane expressway to six-lane freeway, Buchannan Hollow to McHenry Rd.
San Joaquin County
Widen four lanes to six lanes from Route 120 to Arch Rd.
San Joaquin
S. Stockton widening, four lanes to six lanes, Arch Rd to Rt. 4
top
|
|
Madera leads San Joaquin Valley in projected growth
|
According to new projections for the Demographic Research Unit at the California Department of Finance, Madera County leads the San Joaquin Valley in projected percentage increase. By 2050, Madera is expected to grow 231.7% by 2050, the third highest in the state. Other San Joaquin Valley counties with notable percentage increases are Kern (216.4%) and San Joaquin (213.5%) Full List of Projections
 Full List of Projections
top |
|
San Joaquin County to bring draft document back to community
|
The Blueprint process has been in progress in San Joaquin County in a big way during 2007. San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) held workshops throughout the County with a diverse cross-section of concerned residents. They shared their thoughts and visions for our region to effect positive change and create the basis of a roadmap for use by current and future leaders. Participant’s comments were categorized, then synthesized into what became 27 separate themes or ideals that captured the priorities of workshop participants. This citizen-driven data was provided to two dedicated working groups: The Blueprint Planners’ Roundtable (local planning officials) and The Blueprint Leadership Group (community stakeholders representing the environment, economic development, farming, housing, public transit, transportation, and non-profits). Through months of meetings, a draft document emerged covering the values, goals, objectives, and performance measures that will form the basis of the San Joaquin County Blueprint.
SJCOG is now working on bringing this draft document back to the citizens in another round of community workshops that will feature a variety of land use scenarios designed to test the key ideas of our draft document. In addition, our workshop data will be supplemented with the results of an opinion poll conducted during September 2007.
top |
|
Fresno County begins media outreach
|
Fresno COG’s Blueprint planning process is currently in Phase II, where we are working with local agency planning staff to develop the goals, objectives and performance measures that will reflect the community’s expressed values. We have also commenced the modeling phase of the project where we are beginning to look at alternative growth scenarios and analyze the outcomes associated with each.
An Opinion Editorial printed in the Fresno Bee regarding projected population growth was submitted by Executive Director Barbara Goodwin. It will be followed by three additional pieces on housing issues, transportation, and air quality/environment.
top |
|
Stanislaus Council of Governments
|
On August 27, the Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) accepted the Stanislaus County Blueprint Values and Vision Statement. The Vision Statement was a culmination of public outreach workshops held in the spring.
“Establishment of a comprehensive innovative planning process that will accomplish our core values, and assure a superior quality of life, prosperity, equality, and economic opportunity for future generations.”
In October and November, StanCOG will review the Draft Stanislaus County Blueprint Goals, Objectives and Performance Indicators, with acceptance scheduled for November. Contained in the draft goals are four overall themes:
- Equal Opportunity - (representation, transportation options, economic and educational opportunities, higher educated workforce opportunities)
- Balance of Urban and Rural Values - (preservation of agricultural land, open space/greenbelts, employment and housing options, distinctive communities)
- Healthy Environment and Community – (clean air and water, safe communities, healthy programs for children, adequate medical facilities)
top
|
|
Tulare County Blueprint Moves Forward
|
Tulare County residents have spoken about their values and the vision for the future through the year 2050. Currently, that input is being used to develop goals, objectives, and performance measures for the Plan. Focusing on some of the major large-scale issues in the County such as transportation, air quality, housing, and land use, the Blueprint will outline ways that we can achieve success and measure progress.
Tulare County is expected to swell to a population of 1,026,755 by the year 2050. There are a variety of ways to handle that growth, and the Tulare County Association of Governments will be looking at several possible growth scenarios in the next phase of the Blueprint Project. For more information, contact Elizabeth Wright at EWright@co.tulare.ca.us.
top
|
|
 |
|
