Calling All Communities: US EPA Smart Growth/Infill Applications

Due April 23, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a great call for funding out for community application.

EPA is soliciting applications from communities, regions, and state governments that want assistance with either policy analysis or public participatory processes. The type of work may incorporate policy analysis and review, planning and visioning processes, scorecard/ranking criteria development and assessment, and/or other elements pertinent to the role of the applicant. The type of work, however, should enable the community to better implement smart growth development practices.

EPA has identified some key areas in which communities are likely to benefit from technical assistance:

• Climate change (both mitigation of and adaptation to)
• Green job development
• Corridor redevelopment
• Green building development
• Suburban retrofitting
• Disaster resiliency

Proposals are not limited to requests for technical assistance in only these thematic areas; other topics for assistance are welcome and encouraged, provided they demonstrate cutting-edge challenges and the possibility of replicable solutions.

http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/2009_sgia_rfa.htm

City of Palm Springs Sustainability Master Plan

COC recently assisted the City of Palm Springs to develop a Sustainability Master Plan, which is currently under review by the Resource Conservation Commission and the City Council.  The plan, initiated by the Mayor and City Council, addresses sustainability from a comprehensive community perspective. It includes goals, actions and metrics for the following critical areas: city management, economic vitality, urban development and mobility, climate change, energy, ecosystems, waste and water. The team used multiple types of outreach to neighborhoods, school, businesses and other stakeholder groups as well as an online questionnaire.  The Master Plan includes a working definition of sustainability for Palm Springs including a vision and guiding principles.  It summarizes past and current sustainability initiatives, major trends and state policy, and elements of the City’s General Plan.  To support development of the Master Plan and mobilize local organizations to address sustainability challenges, the Mayor formed a city-wide Leadership Council composed of government, academic, business, institutional and nonprofit organization leaders.