Many people have told me they really liked the 2006-07 “How Shall We Grow?” vision for Central Florida’s future, but they have not heard what is happening to make the vision come true. Is anything happening?
Yes!
What we need is a map to the better future, the Central Florida 2050 vision. Here’s how we propose to help make it happen.
Regional Planning Councils, by law, must adopt a set of general growth policies every 10 years. If they are truly effective, they will influence local comprehensive development plans and zoning, and create better communities. Quick!!! Can anyone name one truly effective growth policy from the 1997 ECFRPC strategic regional policy plan?
I thought so.
Keep it simple, stupid! And so we will.
The ECFRPC staff is working with stakeholder groups to derive simple, compelling policies everyone can understand to guide us to the 4C’s 2050 Vision.
You remember the 4Cs:
· Conservation of our most critical natural resources
· Promoting more growth in great urban Centers where we live, work and play
· Connecting centers with Corridors of mixed use multi story buildings with shops and stores on the first floor, offices, and apartments. These corridors would be served by transit such as street cars, light rail or bus.
· Saving Countryside from sprawl.
By doing this, we can:
· Save 2000 square miles from being unnecessarily urbanized between 2010-2050;
· Avoid significant ecosystem damage;
· Save $100 billion in infrastructure;
· Take the pressure off countryside so we still have natural lands and agriculture;
· Stimulate the economy by creating new centers of commerce!
And that’s what people wanted to see in the vision.
Are you interested? Would you like to help us make SWEETEAA? Sweet tea? What the heck is that?
SWEETEAA is the acronym for the chapters in the policy plan, Central Florida 2050:
Smart Growth and Design
Water
Environment
Energy
Economic Development
Transportation
Emergency Preparedness
Affordable Housing
Agriculture
If you are interested in helping create these policies, let me know, and I’ll get you connected so you can pitch in and help us achieve the Central Florida 2050 vision.
Thanks for tuning in! Check with me now and again; I’ll keep you posted on interesting doings in our sunny slice of paradise!
