Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutStrategicPlanDRAFT.CAC.01.28.13 for 2-11-13 mtgCity of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council 2013 Strategic Plan, based on CAC's January 28, 2013 special meeting DRAFT Priorities for 2013 were determined based on a priorities brainstorm and an evaluation of CAC's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats known as a S.W.O.T. Analysis during a special meeting on January 28, 2013. Overall, the group is interested in strengthening its role as an environmental leader in the City and making meaningful contributions to sustainability and smart growth initiatives. In order for CAC to successfully work towards these goals, certain institutional improvements have been identified. Collectively, the 2013 priorities can be divided into three categories: 1) institutional improvements, 2) strengthening CAC as an environmental leader, and 3) specific projects to contribute to in 2013. Category 1: Institutional Improvements •Priority 1.1: Develop internal guidelines to use when evaluating site plan and subdivision applications that will also serve as a framework of recommended improvements to land use regulations. •Priority 1.2: Maintain full membership by recruiting new members promptly as needed •Priority 1.3: Develop functional subcommittee structure to increase productivity and effectiveness Category 2: Strengthening CAC as an Environmental Leader •Priority 2.1: Increase regular collaboration and communication with related boards and committees in the city, surrounding towns, and the county •Priority 2.2: Submit recommendations and communications to Common Council and the Planning and Development Board on a regular basis Category 3: Specific Projects to contribute to in 2013 •Priority 3.1: Both as individuals and as a group, contribute to the comprehensive plan process, particularly in the context of sustainability and environmental issues. •Can we add additional priorities to this category?. Plastic Bags? Energy Action Plan? Parking? At the January 28 th special meeting there was recognition that the advisory role that the CAC was originally conceived to have has not been exercised much in recent years. For this reason, CAC will focus on re-establishing communication and collaboration avenues with partner groups including Common Council, the Planning and Development Board, the Natural Areas Commission (NAC), the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC), the Shade Tree Advisory Committee (STAC), and the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council (EMC). Priorities Brainstorm (priorities for 2013 are in bold in the list below) •Stream setbacks → watershed protections •Slope building regulations → watershed protections •OSI – Open space inventory, including parks, natural areas, etc. (there is one for the County but it's not city-oriented) •Ask for a budget: training, trips, materials •Recruitment •Community involvement •Comprehensive plan – sustainability, focus groups, review of drafts, involved as individuals or as a collective? •Logo/ social media •Green building codes – Phyllis Radke, new Director of Zoning Administration •Greenhouse gas inventory – city buildings complete already •Tree protection/preservation – development threat – legislate protection •Climate Smart Communities – policies and funding for implementation •Improve collaboration/communication with related boards and committees: city, town, county •Become environmental leader •Parking regulations, design controls •Energy action plan (comprehensive plan) currently being reviewed → Megan Wilson •Zoning revamp – form-based codes •Site plan and subdivision guidelines for CAC (PB checklist) – internal policies •Creating CAC subcommittees to address: policy projects, planning projects, reviews •Clean Air Act •Re-establish ourselves in city conversation •Watershed protection – in and out of city •Recruitment •Banning grocery bags – intermunicipal effort, EMC, Carolyn is chair •Revamp SEQR (PB) •Water quality - runoff see SWOT analysis document