Title
Resolution to Adopt Sustainability Goals as Part of City Master Plan
Memorandum
The attached resolution directs the Planning Commission to initiate adoption of the 16 sustainability goals developed as part of the sustainability framework project into the City Master Plan.
The sustainability framework project began in January 2011. This project has two key deliverables: 1) a sustainability framework that prioritizes city plan goals into an overarching set of sustainability goals for Ann Arbor; and 2) a sustainability action plan that organizes established quantifiable targets and actions into one integrated plan to track progress on the goals. The framework is not a new plan, but instead is a reorganization of 20 years of planning into one organized document that recognizes the broad spectrum of Ann Arbor's city plans, goals, and resolutions.
The intent of this resolution is to adopt a set of overarching goals for the City of Ann Arbor. This set of goals will help guide and institutionalize sustainability planning within the city.
Staff
Prepared By: Wendy Rampson, Planning Manager and Matthew Naud, Environmental Coordinator
Sponsored By: Councilmembers Briere, Derezinski, and Teall
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor aspires to be a sustainable community;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is committed to ensuring a high quality of life, while balancing economic development with the preservation and conservation of natural resources;
Whereas, City Council previously adopted 10 environmental goals in 2007 including Clean Air; Clean Water; Efficient Mobility; Health-Promoting Urban Environment; Local Food Sufficiency; Responsible Resource Use; Safe Community; Stable Climate; Sustainable Energy; and Viable Ecosystems;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor accepted a grant from the Home Depot Foundation to develop a sustainability framework and sustainability action plan;
Whereas, The 16 sustainability goals have been developed from goals created in over 25 different planning efforts covering the three key aspects of sustainability - environment, economy, and equity;
Whereas, These sustainability goals build on goals already developed through a variety of public processes;
Whereas, A joint commission meeting with representatives from Energy, Environmental, Planning, and Park Advisory Commission was held in September 2011 to discuss sustainability goals;
Whereas, A Sustainability Framework Committee was formed with representatives from Energy Commission, Environmental Commission, Housing Commission, Planning Commission, Park Advisory Commission, and the Housing and Human Services Advisory Board to help create these goals;
Whereas, The Sustainable Ann Arbor Forums addressed the areas of climate and energy, community, land use and access, and resource management;
Whereas, The sustainability goals were distributed to City Council, Energy Commission, Environmental Commission, Housing Commission, Planning Commission, Park Advisory Commission, and the Housing and Human Services Advisory Board in February 2012 for comments;
Whereas, The sustainability goals were shared with the public in February 2012;
Whereas, A public meeting was held on March 29, 2012 to solicit feedback on the sustainability goals;
Whereas, The Energy Commission met on May 8, 2012 - at a public meeting with an opportunity for public comment - and passed a resolution unanimously recommending that City Council initiate the process to adopt the 16 sustainability goals as part of the City Master Plan;
Whereas, The Park Advisory Commission met on May 15, 2012 - at a public meeting with an opportunity for public comment - and passed a resolution unanimously recommending that City Council initiate the process to adopt the 16 sustainability goals as part of the City Master Plan;
Whereas, The Housing and Human Services Advisory Board met on May 15, 2012 - at a public meeting with an opportunity for public comment - and passed a resolution unanimously recommending that City Council initiate the process to adopt the 16 sustainability goals as part of the City Master Plan;
Whereas, The Environmental Commission met on May 24, 2012 - at a public meeting with an opportunity for public comment - and passed a resolution unanimously recommending that City Council initiate the process to adopt the 16 sustainability goals as part of the City Master Plan;
Whereas, The Planning Commission met on June 5, 2012 - at a public meeting with an opportunity for public comment - and passed a resolution unanimously recommending that City Council initiate the process to adopt the 16 sustainability goals as part of the City Master Plan;
Whereas, The Housing Commission met on June 27, 2012 - at a public meeting with an opportunity for public comment - and passed a resolution unanimously recommending that City Council initiate the process to adopt the 16 sustainability goals as part of the City Master Plan;
Whereas, Additional opportunities for public comment will be available as part of the City Master Plan review process;
RESOLVED, City Council directs the Planning Commission to initiate the process to adopt the 16 sustainability goals as part of the City Master Plan; and
RESOLVED, City Council directs the City Administrator to apply the 16 sustainability goals in continuing staff work on the sustainability action plan while the City Master Plan review process is underway.