Support AGENDA 21 (save the future)

Yesterday, I met another climate change denier who brought up the subject of the 'nefarious' Agenda 21, which he claimed was designed by the State of California to take farms and ranches from citizens under eminent domain law for the purpose of developing their land into 200 sq. foot condos and creating walkable neighborhoods in order to avoid global warming.

Well, I didn't believe him, so I looked it up, And "Agenda 21" is real! (sort of)

Agenda 21 is a non-binding voluntary UN agreement from 1994. It is directed toward combatting poverty, changing consumption patterns, promoting health, achieving a more sustainable population, and sustainable settlement in the 21st century.

In addition, Agenda 21, is designed to fix environmental issues, by implementing atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile environments, conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity), control of pollution and the management of biotechnology, and radioactive wastes.

Agenda 21 calls for social justice, and therefore calls for strengthening the roles of children and youth, women, NGOs, local authorities, business and industry, and workers; and strengthening the role of indigenous peoples, their communities, and farmers.

The idea is to implement Agenda 21 over the next 87 years, implementation includes science, technology transfer, education, international institutions and financial mechanisms.

After learning about AGENDA 21, I now know that I'm not alone. That 20 years ago, while we were not paying attention, a team of academics and world leaders worked diligently and laid out an intelligent blueprint to save the future. They just didn't know how to market it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agenda_21

CNC House!

100 CNC cut post disaster shelter for Haiti from ECOnnect on Vimeo.

Solar-PV Costs across the USA

From EchoWatch

This week, Cost of Solar, an online energy resource and national network of solar installers,estimated solar expenditures for all states as well as potential savings over a month and the long term. The national average cost is $17,056, but as Cost of Solar points out, the renewable form of energy is available for less than $10,000 in a handful of states. That’s not counting local, state and federal incentives that might be available.

Low fuel, renewable, recyclable, sustainable stove.

If you need something for a project to make money in a third world country, give this video to some kids. Then use the proceeds from selling camp-stoves to buy small bottles and bulk rubbing alcohol, for repeat customers.

David Suzuki's Carbon Manifesto

United States Green Building Council

Douglas Kot

Executive Director

U.S. Green Building Council 

Doug has been active in the sustainable design of communities and buildings and as an educator since 1998.  He is a registered architect member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a former-Certified Planner member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a LEED Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design and Construction (LEED AP BD+C), Neighborhood Development (LEED AP ND) and Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance  (LEED AP EB: O+M). He has three professional degrees; a Bachelor of Architecture, a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Master of City Planning.  Doug has taught extensively on building energy use, ecological urban design, and sustainable building technologies.

Event Summary:

San Diego is a patchwork of neighborhoods, ethnicities and unique landscapes. No two are alike but yet they all share the same desire for a livable and citizen centric environment.

There are 42 community planning groups where citizens and businesses bring their concerns and vision for their neighborhood.  While their budgets are small, these groups are the voice for quality of life concerns when the City Council must consider new development.

New Eco-Districts a being created and economic prosperity is being sought through local community development.  

Sustainability and health need to be considered to make our neighborhoods cleaner and greener. 

 Is the goal self-sufficiency in energy, water and transportation?  To create walk/bike friendly streets? To promote business districts? 

Join us to hear how we can plan our communities with an ecological vision that will create a San Diego that we can proudly call America's Finest City.

The U.S. Green Building Council EcoDistricts
Douglas Kot, AIA, MLA, MCP - San Diego Green Building Council
Smart Growth America
LEED Neighborhood Development
SmartCity San Diego
IDEA district
2040 District
One Planet Living
Living City Design
Ecodistricts - are new models of public-private partnership where communities emphasize innovation and deployment of district-scale best practices to create the neighborhoods of the future - resilient, vibrant, resource efficient, and JUST.

20 minute life - all needs met within a 20 minute walk of your house. Mail, grocery, fuel, laundry, news, coffee, etc.

Ecodistricts Incubator in Portland (May 2013) - must be able to raise money, private development, government

Upcoming :
Sept 24th : North Park EcoDistrict Celebration
Sept 30th : Chula Vista Climate neighbor Tool Tour
Oct 1 : Chula Vista Smart Growth Workshop
Dec. 9 : LEED Neighborhood Development Workshop
Dec 11 : Pacific Beach/Mission Beach Sustainable Design Assessment Team

http://www.usgbc-sd.org/calendar

Community Planning at the WRSC

Joe LaCava

Consultant, Land Use and Public Policy

City of San Diego Community Planners Committee

Joe has been a civil engineer, development manager, community advocate, and public policy practitioner over his 30 year career. He has successfully participated in complex land development projects in California, the western United States and internationally. Joe now focuses his practice in San Diego and southern California providing community relations and personalized management of land development opportunities. Recognized as a community leader Joe chairs community and city-wide committees; formed and managed non-profit community organizations; and serves on a variety of stakeholder groups.

Community Planners Committee and 42 Community Planning Groups #CPGsWork
The conundrum ... 

CPGs - 'We have no authority" Need feedback, self-reflection, outreach.

Developer - "CPGs have too much power" Power derives from credibility and degree City Council respects citizens in the CPG. Ease of filing appeals does give an edge. 

Activist - "how come they CBG doesn't reflect my values/issue." Group reflects voters who showed up at election time. Only through investment of time by all stakeholders will a planning group reflect the diversity of its community. Patience and persistence will help drive acceptance of your values. 

There are 42 CPGs in City of San Diego. 

General Plan - City of Villages - city vision and values - foundation for ALL land use decisions - foundation for all policy decisions - used by City Hall, Policy Makers, and regional governments and consultants. The community plan is a local implementation of the general plan.

Topics - Land Use, Mobility, Urban Design, Public Facilities and Services, Natural and cultural resources, Economic Development.

The Challenge: The city representatives can't fully appreciate how their actions translate to your community, neighborhood, street. Private development, infrastructure improvements, new zoning, all need input. 

San Diego first recognized Community Planning Groups in 1966 as a formal mechanism for community input on land use and decision making. Advisory and recommendations, in compliance with the Brown Act. (i.e. these are Quazi-Governmental PUBLIC organizations).

Community/Planning/Group = People. There are about 600 Community Organizations in San Diego. 

Key Difference between CPG vs. Community Organizations : 

CPGs: Discuss -- Deliberate -- VOTE

Other Orgs. Discuss -- Decide -- ACT

CPGs Scope:

Review and make recommendations on: 

• Private development proposals
• City initiatives
• Infrastructure
• Community issues - can be proactive or reactive
• City Hall
• Community Plan Update (every 20 yrs. or so) 

Monthly meetings, typically in evening, agenda posted 72 hrs in advance, with sub-committees. Resident, renter, merchant, or property owners. 12-20 elected members. Open for 1/3 to 1/4 of seats are open every year. Should be 1/3 detailed knowledge, 1/3 institutional knowledge, 1/3 fresh voices/energy. 

Attend: find out about your neighborhood, voice opinion, community-minded, eligibility to run for a seat. Indemnification from law-suits if you become a member of a CPG. 

CPGs - open to everyone, voluntary, democratic, structured, recommendations go to City Hall. Special languages of acronyms, strong personalities, no financial support, minimal technical support from city, no second language services.

The Community Planning Committee = Umbrella Organization over the CPGs.

The CPC has 1 appointee (usually the chair) from each CPG in SD.

Meets monthly - 24-30 attend

Scope: 

City-wide policy

City-wide ordinances

City-wide initiatives (master plans)

Liaison with City Hall

CPC - Do not review private development projects, community specific issues, or private initiatives. 

CPC and CPG roles are expanding...

-infrastructure priorities: 2012 City invited CPC/CPGs to provide neighborhood input on Infrastructure Priorities, 2013 Process formalized in City Council Policy, these are important steps in authentic Public Participation in City Budgeting. 

2012 Results: 29 Communities recommended 225 new projects in addition to prioritizing current CIP projects. 

Code for America 

http://infrastructure.opensandiego.org/ text 760.239.7578 

We need more people involved in community organizations. Front page organizations. 

Other community organizations ...

Recreation Councils ( City recognized; park and rec. centers)

Merchant Associations ( aka Main Street, BID) 

Parking Districts

Town Council

Neighborhood Councils

Advocacy Groups ( WalkSD, BikeSD, MoveSD, etc)

CPGs provide for civic engagement, best venu for direct input to City Hall decisions, stronger when more people participate #CPGsWork 

Questions? Joe LaCava, Chair, Community Planners Committee 858.488.0160 joe@avetterra.com @joe_lacava