HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Sustainability PlanConfidential Page 1 5/7/2010
City of Oshkosh
Comprehensive Plan, 2005 -2025
Amendment:
SUSTAINABILITY CHAPTER
Confidential Page 2 5/7/2010
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments............................................... ............................... page 4
Background ............................ ............................... ...........................page 4
Executive Summary ................... ............................... ..........................pages 4 -5
What is Sustainability? ....................................... ............................... ..........................pages 6 -7
City of Oshkosh Sustainability Efforts To Date ................. ..........................pages 6 -11
a) Where We Are Today ......... ............................... ...........................page 8
b) Where We Want To Be Tomorrow .......................... ..........................pages 8 -10
c) Oshkosh's Strengths & Challenges ......................... ...........................page 11
Key Sustainability Issues ............. ............................... ..........................pages 12 -24
1) Energy & Climate Change ...... ............................... ..........................pages 12 -14
a) Background
b) Goal Statement
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
2) Development, Buildings, Zoning & Infrastructure ....... ..........................pages 15 -16
a) Background
b) Goal Statement
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
3) Healthy, Local Food .................. ............................... ...........................page 17
a) Background
b) Goal Statement
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
4) Transportation & Mobility ......... ............................... ...........................page 18
a) Background
b) Goal Statement
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
5) Solid Waste Reduction & Management ......................... ...........................page 19
a) Background
b) Goal Statement
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
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d) Implementation
6) Drinking, Wastewater & Storm Water Management ..... ...........................page 20
a) Background
b) Goal Statement
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
7) Managing Natural Resources for Eco- Tourism ............ ...........................page 21
a) Background
b) Goal Statement—to make Oshkosh a Destination
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
8) Neighborhoods & Schools ......... ............................... ...........................page 22
a) Background
b) Goal Statement—to make Oshkosh a Destination
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
9) Triple Bottom Line for Businesses & Green Collar Economy .......................page 23
a) Background
b) Goal Statement—to make Oshkosh a Destination
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
10) Education, Outreach & Communication ..................... ...........................page 24
a) Background
b) Goal Statement—to make Oshkosh a Destination
c) Action Items or Proposed Policies
d) Implementation
(SHOULD WE HAVE AN 11 AREA— SUSTAINABLE GOVERNMENT? This is likely
where we'd put things like hiring a diverse workforce, greening the purchasing policy, using full
cost - accounting software, and turning off computers, lights, etc. in city buildings)
Plan Metrics & Evaluation ......... ............................... ..........................pages 25 -XX
a) Action Plans, Timelines, Responsible Parties & CIP budgeting
b) Metrics /Indicators For Evaluating Success
Sustainable Practices For Residents, Businesses & Other Shareholders ............ pgs XX -XX
(Perhaps the SAB can take the lead on this section ?)
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
(The City of Oshkosh would like to acknowledge ... sponsors, staff, Council, SAB, SPSC,
volunteers, citizens, UW-EX and Catherine, etc.)
BACKGROUND
The City of Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin's population (2000 census) is 62, 916, with approximately 50,000
households within its municipal borders. "Oshkosh, on the Water," the county seat of
Winnebago County, is located where the Fox River meets Lake Winnebago. Oshkosh's
historical and cultural past is largely that of a timber, lumber and forest products town, and as
such, is also sometimes referred to as the "Sawdust City," as homes, businesses and industries
were built literally on top of deep layers of sawdust that lined the Fox River and downtown areas
as a result of the mills.
The breadth and depth of natural resources in our community, including the Winnebago Pool
Lakes and the Fox River, is a point of pride for Oshkosh, and outdoor recreation plays a huge
role in the way residents and visitors work, play and recreate. Lakes Poygan, Buttes des Morts,
and Winneconne, in addition to Lake Winnebago —the second largest inland freshwater lake in
the country —are home to the largest self - sustaining lake sturgeon population in the worlda
species that is endangered and /or threatened literally everywhere else on this planet.
Boating and angling, in particular, are very popular pastimes and sports herea part of our
cultural and historical past as well —but they also play a vital role in the regional economy. The
angling industry alone in Winnebago County has an annual economic impact of nearly $240
million (UWEX, 2008.). (By comparison, the annual, international EAA Fly -In, held at
Oshkosh's Wittman Regional Airport each year in July, generates about $80 million annually,
while the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh boasts an annual economic impact of over $500
million.)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The goal of this chapter amendment to the 2005 -2025 Comprehensive Plan is to make certain
that the Four Principles of Sustainability are followed in the City of Oshkosh to improve our
quality of life by meeting present environmental, economic, and social needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
The creation of this plan was a result of a two -year long effort to address sustainability issues in
the City of Oshkosh. In 2008, Mayor Frank Tower signed onto the U.S. Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement, and in doing so, also repopulated a dormant city commission —the Energy
& Environment Advisory Board. The "E &E" board subsequently changed its name and
refocused its energy on creating a city and community -wide sustainability plan, using the
framework and ideology of The Natural Step (TNS).
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In April 2009, former Community & Economic Development Director, Jackson Kinney, formed
the Sustainability Plan Steering Committee (SPSC), consisting of several staff, citizens and
community shareholders, to advise and steer the planning effort. At the first meeting of the
SPSC, participants requested a baseline of past and current policies, procedures, projects, and /or
initiatives related to sustainability. Over the course of the next several months, numerous
division and /or department heads gave presentations on their efforts to date. (For more specific
information on those presentations, please see Appendix.)
In October of that same year, a graduate student intern was hired by the Planning Department, to
help research, develop and coordinate the writing of the plan itself. Six months later, a new
Planning Deparment Principal Planner, Robin Leslie, and a new Community & Economic
Development Director, Allen Davis, came on board the effort, and a draft plan was disseminated
to the SPSC for their review and feedback.
(Following an endorsement of the draft plan by the SPSC several community input sessions will
have to be convened and coordinated, giving citizens a voice in the creation of a completely
unique (to Oshkosh) sustainability plan.)
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WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
Sustainability has been defined most commonly as "meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland
Commission, 1987.). But in more simplistic terms, sustainability means preserving life on Earth,
including human civilization. Meeting human needs is thus vital in creating a sustainable
society.
As the building blocks of society, communities play an essential role in addressing the challenge
of sustainability Since communities are complex, diverse systems with multiple stakeholders,
there are often many interpretations of sustainability and very different ideas about how best to
achieve it.
In Wisconsin, sustainability and sustainable community development is commonly associated
with the adoption of The Natural Step or "Eco- Municipality" model for communities, as well as
an action plan to move toward a more sustainable community, according to the University of
Wisconsin - Extension.
The Natural Step Framework
The Natural Step (TNS) provides a clear, compelling, science -based definition of sustainability
and a strategic planning framework to help communities make smart decisions that will move
them step -by -step towards a successful and sustainable future.
TNS framework is based on systems thinking —what happens in one part of a system affects
every other part. TNS framework means thinking and working as a team, using a common
language and a shared understanding and definition, of sustainability. TNS also uses an
upstream approach anticipating and avoiding problems before they occur, rather than reacting to
their downstream effects.
To understand the framework, however, we must first understand the Four System Conditions
for Sustainability:
"In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing...
1) concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth's crust (such as heavy metals, fossil
fuels, etc.)
2) concentrations of substances produced by society (such as plastics, toxic chemicals, etc.)
3) degradation by physical means (such as via erosion, or rapid depletion of unique ecosystems,
etc.) ... and in that a sustainable
society...
4) people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their
needs" (Lahti, 2004).
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Reworded as The Four Principles of Sustainability:
To become a sustainable society we must...
1. Eliminate our contribution to the progressive build -up of substances extracted from the
Earth's crust (for example, heavy metals and fossil fuels)
2. Eliminate our contribution to the progressive build -up of chemicals and compounds
produced by society (for example, dioxins, PCBs, and DDT)
3. Eliminate our contribution to the progressive physical degradation and destruction of
nature and natural processes (for example, over harvesting forests and paving over critical
wildlife habitat); and
4. Eliminate our contribution to conditions that undermine people's capacity to meet their
basic human needs (for example, unsafe working conditions and not enough pay to live on).
(Note: Realizing that "eliminate" is sometimes a daunting task, many communities have adopted
the use of the words, "Reduce and /or eliminate. ")
Sustainable Community Development
In general, sustainability and community sustainability planning are becoming commonplace. In
fact, the public agrees that sustainability in the context of natural resource and economic issues is
especially relevant. Social justice and equity—or the Fourth System Condition of TNS —are
much more difficult to articulate, integrate, and find acceptable, however. Fortunately, when
presented with solutions that level the playing field with little negative impact to any particular
group, that can be surmounted (Cain, 2009.).
The gauge of community sustainability is the "degree to which a community and its socio-
economic base is self - sufficient in energy, food, water, shelter, transportation, financing, and
local employment such that it contributes to the native ecosystem capacity to sustain life across
multiple generations" (Cain, 2009.).
Sustainable community indicators—locally established values for which data is collected and
trends tracked and reported —are often used to measure progress toward sustainability.
Ultimately, a community is sustainable when it is able to meet its present needs while
safeguarding the ability of future generations to meet their needs with the same or richer quality
of life.
"Sustainable community development is important because it is a fundamental and essential
foundation for living off the interest of the community and local region, rather than the capital,"
says Title, Cain, of XXX publication. It is also "conceptually difficult to place a price tag on
using traditional economics and contemporary cultural expectations for quick return with
inequitable returns. Some sustainability initiatives such as energy efficiency upgrades provide
rapid return on investment. Cost - benefit analysis of other sustainability initiatives requires a
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mindset for long -term payback equitably distributed across all stakeholders. Impact on taxes,
fees, or other public investment must be presented fairly, as an investment in the future with
future returns that might be longer than a four -year political term." (Cain, 2009)
CITY OF OSHKOSH SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS TO DATE
Where We Are Today— Existing sustainability elements in Comprehensive Plan 2005 -2025
(to be completed in May)
i) Issues & Opportunities
ii) Housing
iii) Land Use
iv) Transportation
v) Economic Development
vi) Utilities & Community Facilities
vii) Agriculture, Natural & Cultural Resources
viii) Intergovernmental Cooperation
ix) Implementation
Overview of McKinstry findings & ARRA Funds & Projects: an easily - digestible report of
that audit and analysis is not readily available, however, Purchasing Director, Jon Urben, will
keep us updated as to what (and when) projects are completed or underway.
Where We Want To Be Tomorrow
"Sustainability for the future of Oshkosh includes the integration of the City's economic, social,
and environmental life in order to: "meet the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This encompasses a general
consciousness in all decisions on how the outcome will affect future generations' environmental,
social, and economic welfare and an effort to minimize any adverse impacts" (Vision Oshkosh
Report, 2009.).
"Oshkosh residents embraced a variety of sustainable technologies, including solar panels, wind
farms, and bus rapid transit as means of lowering Oshkosh's carbon foot -print and creating a
sustainable community in the future. Residents also indicated a desire for increased means of
reducing landfill waste, such as creating a community compost collection area."
Vision Oshkosh Sustainability Chapter Key Findings:
• 82 %* of public meeting participants believe it is appropriate to incorporate sustainable
design practices in to future development in Oshkosh, specifically solar panels, solar
orientation of buildings, green roofs, and wind turbines.
• 77 %* of public meeting participants would support the idea of an "On- Demand" Transit
System for the City of Oshkosh and adjacent areas. An "On- Demand" Transit System is
essentially a small bus that travels from point to point and is accessible via web or cell phone.
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The system costs on average $3 per trip and may pickup multiple passengers along the way to
increase efficiency. Reducing the use of the car is an important policy to achieve sustainability.
• 71 %* of public meeting participants believe it is appropriate to re -open a passenger and
freight train line between Green Bay and Milwaukee with stops in cities such as Appleton,
Fond du Lac, and Oshkosh.
Economic Sustainability Recommendations:
• Create a "Buy Local" marketing campaign for the Oshkosh area and for the New North.
• Concentrate new development in downtown, in order to create a vibrant business and retail
center.
• City government should work with stakeholders to build on this Vision Report to create
consensus on controversial issues and make strong decisive leadership decisions where
consensus already exists, such as riverfront development. All aspects of the city, from residents
to council members to city employees need to adopt a "Can Do" attitude in order to move the
city forward and achieve any of the goals of this Vision.
• Develop a coordinated planning effort between the Fox Cities, Green Bay, Fond du Lac,
Appleton, and Oshkosh is highly recommended in order to create a strong competitive regional
economy.
• Promote the new vision of Oshkosh through an extensive media and public relations
campaign.
• Increase the activities, events, and festivals that attract visitors to Oshkosh.
• Continue to support the EAA Air Venture as a national event, and encourage adjacent
business development in and around the airfield.
• Oshkosh should strive to achieve a jobs to housing balance of 1 to 1 in order to create an
economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable city.
Environmental Sustainability Recommendations:
• Sustainability is the key to the future viability of Oshkosh.
• Oshkosh should institute sustainable design standards into the City's building code for all
future development and include elements like requirements or incentives for solar panels, solar
orientation of the building, green roofs, and wind turbines.
• Oshkosh should plan and create an off - street trail system to connect all residential areas to
Downtown, Highway 41 retail, and employment centers in Oshkosh. Trails should be a
maximum of 1,800 feet from all residential areas.
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• Industrial lands waiting for redevelopment should be converted to green space as an interim
use.
• Establish landscape standards for green roofs, rain gardens and pervious pavement.
• Develop surface - runoff polices and plans that require diversion and collection of water to
natural drainage and filtration areas.
• Consider porous, or pervious, materials as a first option for new parking lot construction.
• Develop a tree canopy plan for the entire City to establish 50% to 100% canopy coverage.
• All new development must set aside at least 10% of the developable area as public green
space.
• Existing bus service should be expanded to make more frequent and convenient stops.
GPS location signs should be installed at major bus stops in order to alert riders to wait times for
various bus routes. Bus shelters should be provided at all possible locations. Regular bus service
should be in place for all residential and employment areas (preferably within a 1/2 mile).
• It is highly recommended that the cities of Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay jointly explore
the option of installing a Bus Rapid Transit system along Highway 41 connecting all three
downtowns.
• A new train station and the re- opening of the train line between Green Bay and
Milwaukee is highly recommended and should become a policy priority.
• New parks are highly encouraged. Locations for these new parks are indicated on Map 3 of the
Vision Translation Workshop Maps.
• Conduct a transportation needs assessment study; develop a transportation plan emphasizing
walking, bicycle ridership, and transit ridership.
• Promote and pursue alternative modes of transportation through policy and land use.
Alternative transportation modes should include a Bus Rapid Transit system, local bus service,
On- Demand transit, walking, and bicycling.
• Improve the existing transit station and plaza to create a central meeting place for the
city, coordinate plaza design with surrounding streetscaping and street furniture;
• Where appropriate designate bicycle lanes and bicycle parking and rental facilities to
establish a comprehensive bicycle network;
Results of TNS Study Circles & Next Steps (to be completed in May /June)
Results of Community Input Forums (to be completed late summer /fall)
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OSHKOSH'S STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
1) Oshkosh, On the Water... abundance of aquatic resources, from Fox/Wolf River, to
Winnebago Pool Lakes, to the smaller streams and creeks of the bioregion... natural
resources are tied to our history, culture and economy... teachable moments for visitors
and residents via outdoor, community festival events (i.e., EAA, Country USA,
Waterfest, Gallery Walk, etc.)
2) Great preK -12 educational system; numerous and diverse higher ed opportunities,
including entire UW System of community and technical colleges, 2 -year schools, 4 -year
comprehensives and the entire UWEX system, not to mention other private universities in
the area (Ripon, Lawrence, etc.)
3) Vibrant arts and culture scene and community
4) Centrally located state university /college town; UWO is higher ed sustainability leader
with robust Env Studies program; has endorsed the Earth Charter; has a green business
focus, with 12,000 students and 1700 faculty /staff2" largest employer in town
5) Traditional manufacturing base, great potential for green collar jobs— companies
whose headquarters are in Oshkosh could lead by example
6) City and community are politically & socio- economically divided—almost in half, and
most families /residents are financially strapped, living from paycheck to paycheck.
Unemployment is high... and the city's budget is also strapped...
7) Diversity is not exactly celebrated and there is a widening gap between
socioeconomic classes
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FOCUS AREA #1: Energy & Climate Change
Background
On April 27, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report on
climate change entitled "Climate Change Indicators in the United States." This latest report
presents "clear evidence that the composition of the atmosphere is being altered as a result of
human activities and that the climate is changing They also illustrate a number of effects on
society and ecosystems related to these changes," according to the EPA. (underlined for
emphasis.)
"In the United States, greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities increased by 14
percent from 1990 to 2008 Carbon dioxide accounts for most of the nation's emissions and most
of this increase. Electricity generation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the
United States, followed by transportation Emissions per person have remained about the same
since 1990," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2010.).
" Worldwide, emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities increased by 26 percent from
1990 to 2005 Emissions of carbon dioxide —which account for nearly three- fourths of the
total— increased by 31 percent over this period. Like in the United States, the majority of the
world's emissions are associated with energy use (EPA, 2010.)
In addition, average temperatures have risen across the lower 48 states since 1901, with an
increased rate of warming over the past 30 years. Seven of the top 10 warmest years on record
for the lower 48 states have occurred since 1990, and the last 10 five -year periods have been the
warmest five -year periods on record. Average global temperatures show a similar trend, and
2000 -2009 was the warmest decade on record worldwide Within the United States, parts of the
North, the West, and Alaska have seen temperatures increase the most.
Other key indicators for climate change in the U.S. were: the frequency of heat waves an
increase in U.S. and global precipitation including heavy precipitation; an increase in cyclone
intensity; a rise in global oceanic temperatures including surface temperatures; rising sea levels
increased ocean acidity massive arctic ice melts retreating lag ciers decreased lake ice on fresh
waters; decreased snow cover and snowpack; increase in heat - related deaths decreased lengths
of r owing seasons including shifts in hardiness zones; earlier leaf and bloom dates and finally,
altered bird wintering ranges and mi rg atory routes (EPA, 2010.).
In addition to these recent findings by the EPA, a recent article appearing in the Yale
Environment 360, by Frank Ackerman, senior economist with the Stockholm Environment
Institute at Tufts University says that "amid a growing call for reducing atmospheric
concentrations of CO2 to 350 parts per million, a group of economists maintains that striving to
meet that target is a smart investment and the best insurance policy humanity could buy
To avoid reaching a crisis stage on a global scale, scientist James E. Hansen, Director of
NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and a growing number of others, including author
Bill McKibben and his 350.org initiative, now call for stabilizing carbon dioxide (CO2)
concentrations at 350 parts per million (ppm). The world is now around 390 ppm and rising;
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since CO2 persists in the atmosphere for a long time, it is difficult to reduce concentrations
quickly. In Hansen's scenario, a phase -out of coal use, massive reforestation, and widespread use
of carbon capture and storage could allow the world to achieve negative net carbon emissions by
mid - century and reach 350 ppm by 2100.
Federal Regulation
As of December 29, 2009, suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers
of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG
emissions are required to submit annual reports to EPA (totaling approximately 10,000 U.S.
facilities, including utilities, refineries, landfills, cement producers, chemical manufacturers, pulp
and paper mills, and landfills.)
On March 22, 2010, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson signed four new proposed rules that amend
the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule, further requiring reporting of emissions data
from the oil and natural gas, industries that emit fluorinated greenhouse gases, and from facilities
that inject and store carbon dioxide (CO2) underground for the purposes of geologic
sequestration or enhanced oil and gas recovery.
To become a leader in addressing climate change, the City of Oshkosh became members of
ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) in 2008 and since then have been following the
Five Milestones framework for addressing GHG emissions and climate change mitigation from
both a municipal operations perspective, as well as community -wide perspective.
(Of note: Municipal operations typically account for five percent of a community's GHG
emissions meaning, roughly 95 percent of a city's GHG emissions are from the private sector.)
Goal Statement
The City of Oshkosh seeks to foster local energy production, champion energy efficiency and
conservation initiatives, while at the same time, increasing the use of renewable power, with the
eventual goal of being independent of fossil fuels. In addition, the City of Oshkosh will be a
leader in addressing climate change and energy issues, and as such, have completed both a
municipal operation baselines for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as a community
baseline of GHG emissions, based on residential, commercial and industrial outputs.
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
What could the City do to foster local energy production, conservation, and
efficiency, while increasing the use of renewable power? What can the City do
to decrease its carbon footprint and minimize air pollution ??
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES:
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• Invest in carbon accounting software and other climate change mitigation technologies
(please see Appendix for specific software and technologies)
• Consider a city -scale energy retrofit program, especially for those who can't afford to
invest in energy efficiency measures in the first place
• Investigate the purchase of NatureWise energy from WPS
Implementation
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FOCUS AREA #2: DEVELOPMENT, BUILDINGS, ZONING &
INFRASTRUCTURE
Background
In March 2010, UW- Extension, the University of Wisconsin System, and other local partners
involved in the Wisconsin Idea initiative, convened a series of pubic policy roundtables relative
to sustainable communities, and held a Wrap- up/Next Steps conference entitled "Sustainable
Community Public Policy Forums, a Wisconsin Idea Forum," at the UW Fox Valley.
Participants learned that one of the recurring themes of those local brainstorming sessions was
"policies that promote more sustainable patterns of land use and urban form." Roundtable
participants also expressed concern that current land use planning often does not effectively
address issues such as energy conservation, water consumption & re -use, and urban sprawl.
Participants also felt that more flexible and transparent land use controls should be developed to
encourage more sustainable infrastructure development. As such, several recommended policies
(below) were brought to life.
• Make energy consumption a criteria when evaluating proposed development
• Place more emphasis on infrastructure development that encourages sustainable practices
• Develop a common definition of "sprawl" and a common policy of urban development
• Promote more state leadership on urban sprawl — utilizing both carrot and stick approaches
• Provide an incentive to include a sustainability element in the comprehensive planning process
• Provide education on alternative ways to incorporate sustainability planning in local planning
efforts
• Revise zoning codes, building codes, and subdivision rules
• Require sidewalks and pedestrian friendly infrastructure in all communities
• Promote better trail systems
• Promote higher density economic development
• Clarify building, housing codes and land use rules
• Promote higher density downtowns
• Provide more flexible zoning to allow for community gardens
• Establish model sustainable communities
• Get rid of overly prescriptive rules about landscaping (replace turf with gardens, use less water)
• Change codes to permit grey water re -use, cisterns, and alternative building materials without
having to go through so many hoops
• Promote the re -use of grey water for watering lawns and other uses
• Promote community ownership models of development
• Provide ordinances, building codes, and other tools that encourage sustainable physical design
• Develop state building codes that require energy conservation and other sustainabilty elements by
mandate (re -use of materials, water use, etc)
• Embrace different land use /development models that recognize value on farmland, forests,
prairies
• Encourage higher density, creative design within community — walkable, bikable, transit
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connections
• Promote higher standards for development projects including reducing waste, re -using materials,
and the consideration of durability /long -term efficacy of projects
• Develop enforceable urban growth boundaries
• Developments should require independent analysts to project 25- and 50- year cost of
development to the development owner as well as to various municipal governments (i.e. long
term tax burden, cost of services, replacement /cost of infrastructure, traffic creation,
environmental services, schools, etc)
• Provide shuttle service for community events
• Support regional planning efforts
• Provide incentives for communities to work together instead of competing — e.x. planning when
on community builds new subdivisions, how does another community react when the new
communities raise property taxes
• Support the implementation of comprehensive plans
Goal Statement
The City of Oshkosh's goal is to: promote and incentivize "green building ", and require that all
new development (at least in tax - supported TIF districts) be built to LEED standards; to promote
downtown development and urban infill; to change zoning ordinances to incentivize high- density
infill of existing areas, particularly those existing brownfield sites along the Fox River and in
other industrial part of the city; to promote, attract, create and solicit a diversity of riverfront
mixed uses, including the redevelopment of the former Pioneer Inn property; and to decrease
urban sprawl.
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTIONS:
What could the City be doing to foster a more sustainable, built environment,
specifically as it relates to high efficiency and/or "green" buildings
What kinds of zoning ordinances changes could the City make to ensure more
sustainable development, and decrease urban sprawl?
How should the City guide and promote development so that buildings and
neighborhoods incorporate sustainable features?
Proposed Actions & Policies
EXAMPLE:
• Consider a new development provision that states all development must be built to
LEED standards (not LEED "certified," but built to traditional green building standards)
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Implementation
FOCUS AREA #3: Healthy, Local Food
Background
One common theme among all community sustainability plans is the promotion and advocacy of
local, healthy (preferably organic) food, and easily accessible markets to those foods. Becoming
locally self - sufficient is the ultimate goal of sustainable food and sustainable food networks and
programs. (More... stats, etc.)
Goal Statement—to advocate for and increase accessibility to locally grown, healthy (preferably
organic) food and markets, regardless of socioeconomic status, while ensuring youth and
students access to same in schools
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
What can the City do to promote area food production, sales, and consumption
while reducing food related waste?
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES:
• Support local Farmer's Markets, including neighborhood markets
• Support and attract downtown grocery, including Health & Wellness stores
• Support campus grocery, preferably a Trader Joes or Whole Foods
Implementation
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FOCUS AREA # 4: Balanced Transportation & Mobility
Background
Goal Statement
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
How should the City increase mobility choices by enhancing other forms of
transportation besides that for automobiles? How can transportation
infrastructure be designed efficiently, safely, with the environment in mind, and
be connected to other local and regional networks?
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES
Implementation
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FOCUS AREA # 5: Solid Waste Reduction & Management
Background
"99 percent of the stuff we harvest, mine, process, transport... is trashed within 6 months,"
according to the Story of Stuff, "and in the past three decades alone, one -third of the planet's
natural resources base have been consumed."
Fortunately, there are simple, easy ways to make a difference, including, for example: using both
sides of paper; carrying our own refillable coffee cups and water containers (and not buying
bottled water to begin with); getting toner cartridges refilled vs. replaced, composting food
scraps and yard waste, repairing vs. replacing household appliances and clothes among other
things.
A popular mantra is "Buy Green, Buy Fair, Buy Local, Buy Used, and most importantly, Buy
Less." Of course, the old mantra of "Reduce, Reuse Recycle" still applies, but we can now also
add on "Rebut', Donate, and Compost."
Goal Statement
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
What should the City do to promote consumer product awareness, increase
recycling rates, and reduce the amount of substances entering into landfills?
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES
Consider a garbage tax, based on the amount of garbage that gets picked up
Consider a plastic bag tax, or further use incentives to advocate the use of reusable
bags /totes at grocery and department stores
Implementation
Confidential Page 20 5/7/2010
FOCUS AREA # 6: Drinking, Wastewater & Storm Water Management
Background
Goal Statement
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES
Implementation
Confidential Page 21 5/7/2010
FOCUS AREA # 7: Managing Natural Resources for Eco- Tourism
Background
• Winnebago Pool Lakes and the Fox/Wolf Basin (including Honey and Sawyer Creeks)
• Oshkosh as Natural Resource & Special Event Destination
• Support key events and activities, but also "silent sport" and other non - motorized
enjoyment of the Winnebago Pool Lakes
Goal Statement— to make Oshkosh a Destination
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
What should the City do to safeguard our ecosystems, trees, soil, and water
resources? What could the City do to promote Oshkosh as a "destination "?
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES
• Finish the Riverfront Redevelopment project
Implementation
Confidential Page 22 5/7/2010
FOCUS AREA # 8: Healthy Local Neighborhoods & Schools
Background
Goal Statement
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
How should the City continue to protect its citizens from disease, promote
healthy living, civic engagement, cultural and ethnic diversity, while partnering
with others to provide these activities?
What can the City do to build partnerships for sustainability with the Oshkosh
Area School District and Unified Catholic Schools, the University of Wisconsin
Oshkosh and Fox Valley Technical College?
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES:
Implementation
Confidential Page 23 5/7/2010
FOCUS AREA # 9:
The Triple Bottom Line for Businesses & Green Collar Economy
Background
Goal Statement
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
How should the City bolster the local economy by attracting Green - collar jobs
and encouraging businesses to become more sustainable?
Action Items or Policies
EXAMPLES
• Provide a financial incentive for sustainable or clean energy companies and businesses to
relocate to Oshkosh
• Create an eco- industrial park as a pilot project
• Create a green business incubator downtown, or close to campuses
• Offer businesses no or low interest loans for energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits
Implementation
Confidential Page 24 5/7/2010
FOCUS AREA # 10: Education, Outreach & Communication
Background
It used to be that `going green' meant simple recycling, reusing, and reducing. It was a series of
actions, a checklist of to -dos, which could be easily marked "completed" and you'd be done with
it! With the advent of technology and development in options and resources, however, more and
different possibilities have arose due to a shift in lifestyle and mentality, going deeper than just a
mere checklist.
The act of `going green' now calls for a more comprehensive understanding of your actions and
consequences of those actions. No longer the simple task of recycling, the process of becoming
more green and sustainable has broadened to a shift in mentality in the choices we make for our
businesses and lifestyles" (Tam, 2010.).
According to author Michael Tam, in the XXX issue of the Green Economy Post, "to capture the
nature of what it really means to shift the mindset of business and individuals toward a more
sustainable perspective, (there are) four key areas of focus: behavior change; thinking cyclical
rather than linear; making less equal more; and asking how we can make things work, rather than
accept the status quo."
Goal Statement
PUBLIC FORUM QUESTION:
What could the City do to create awareness of sustainability and sustainable
practices, at home, work and play? How could the City communicate with its
citizenry, and engage others in our sustainability efforts?
Action Items or Proposed Policies
EXAMPLES
Implementation
Confidential Page 25 5/7/2010
Plan Metrics & Evaluation
Action Plans, Timelines, Responsible Parties & CIP budgeting
Metrics /Indicators For Evaluating Success
Sustainable Practices For Residents, Businesses & Other Shareholders