Ultimately it will be the old story of sending your tax money to Wash. DC and then trying to get it back......all in the name of .....well sort of....efficiency. Have a look. I think the term "smart growth" is key. To some it is an oxymoron. To others "the holy grail".
planning.org
Community Character Act of 2001 (H.R. 1433 / S. 975)
Fact Sheet
Overview
The Community Character Act (H.R. 1433 / S. 975) is legislation designed to establish
an incentive for improved planning and smart growth through a federal grant program.
The bill provides resources for technical assistance and promotes capacity building for
local and regional planning.
The legislation would offer vital assistance to meet the serious challenge of reforming
outdated planning statutes and supporting planning as the basis for smart growth. CCA
supports an array of state, regional, and local efforts to promote improved quality of
life, economic development, and community livability through better planning. Grants
could be used to obtain technical assistance and support for a state's review and
implementation of growth and planning laws. Activities such as researching and drafting
state policies, conducting workshops and public forums, promoting regional
cooperation, and supporting state planning initiatives would qualify for federal
assistance. Other provisions allow grants for acquiring new information technology,
pilot projects to support innovative planning at the local level and technical assistance.
This legislation promotes smart growth principles and encourages states to create or
update the framework necessary for good planning. It creates a partnership with
communities through incentives, not mandates. This program is a modest investment
that will bring substantial dividends in improving the livability of cities, towns, and
neighborhoods throughout the nation.
Legislative Status
CCA was originally introduced by Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer
(D-OR) during the 106th Congress. The bill was slightly modified and reintroduced
earlier this year. The House and Senate versions of the bill differ modestly. Rep.
Blumenauer was joined by Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) in reintroducing CCA in the
107th Congress. H.R. 1433 has been referred to House Financial Services
Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and the House Resources
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Land. Sen. Chafee introduced
CAA again this year in the Senate with seven original cosponsors. The Senate bill has
been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. EPW
Committee Chairman Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT) is an original cosponsor. The Senate
Environment and Public Works may hold a hearing on smart growth legislation,
including the Community Character Act, later this year.
Key Provisions
H.R. 1433
The bill authorizes $50 million per year for 5 years for a grant program aimed at
state and local planning.
HUD is the administrative agency for the grant program.
Individual grants of up to $1 million for states and $200,000 for Tribal
Governments are available.
A minimum local match of 10 percent is required.
The purpose of grant program is to assist in the development or revision of
state planning legislation, promote the implementation of planning in states with
updated statutes, or planning for multistate regions.
The development or revision of state planning legislation is designated as the
first priority for grants.
The bill establishes eligibility guidelines for receiving grants. The guidelines state
that the basic goals of planning legislation / reform be consistent with the
following principles: citizen participation, multijurisdictional cooperation,
implementation elements, comprehensive planning (which is further defined in
the bill), regular updating, and professional standards.
Grants may be use for the purposes of drafting legislation, R&D for planning
programs or legislation, workshops and public meetings, and coordination with
regional and federal land use planning.
S. 975
The Senate version attempts to clarify some legislative language and intent.
It authorizes $25 million per year for 5 years, plus an additional $1 million per
year for an educational and informational grant program for planning / zoning
officials.
The administrative agency for the program would be the Economic Development
Administration.
In addition to the primary state grant program, the bill creates a local pilot
project grant for local governments. This was done in an effort to clarify that
grants could be used for local activities.
The bill creates ranking criteria for evaluation of grant applications. Six
elements are set up as criteria: outdated legislation, facilitate development of
plans consistent w/ reform legislation, facilitate regionalism, experiencing
significant growth, protect environment and promote economic development,
and state financial commitment. The reform of outdated legislation is designated
as the "fundamental priority."
The bill maintains the House bill's "eligibility criteria" but adds a stronger focus
on environmental protection and public infrastructure.
The bill explicitly states that grants can be used by local governments for
implementation of planning and to acquire new technologies for planning.
Community Character Act of 2001 (H.R. 1433 / S. 975)
Fact Sheet
Overview
The Community Character Act (H.R. 1433 / S. 975) is legislation designed to establish
an incentive for improved planning and smart growth through a federal grant program.
The bill provides resources for technical assistance and promotes capacity building for
local and regional planning.
The legislation would offer vital assistance to meet the serious challenge of reforming
outdated planning statutes and supporting planning as the basis for smart growth. CCA
supports an array of state, regional, and local efforts to promote improved quality of
life, economic development, and community livability through better planning. Grants
could be used to obtain technical assistance and support for a state's review and
implementation of growth and planning laws. Activities such as researching and drafting
state policies, conducting workshops and public forums, promoting regional
cooperation, and supporting state planning initiatives would qualify for federal
assistance. Other provisions allow grants for acquiring new information technology,
pilot projects to support innovative planning at the local level and technical assistance.
This legislation promotes smart growth principles and encourages states to create or
update the framework necessary for good planning. It creates a partnership with
communities through incentives, not mandates. This program is a modest investment
that will bring substantial dividends in improving the livability of cities, towns, and
neighborhoods throughout the nation.
Legislative Status
CCA was originally introduced by Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer
(D-OR) during the 106th Congress. The bill was slightly modified and reintroduced
earlier this year. The House and Senate versions of the bill differ modestly. Rep.
Blumenauer was joined by Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) in reintroducing CCA in the
107th Congress. H.R. 1433 has been referred to House Financial Services
Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and the House Resources
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Land. Sen. Chafee introduced
CAA again this year in the Senate with seven original cosponsors. The Senate bill has
been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. EPW
Committee Chairman Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT) is an original cosponsor. The Senate
Environment and Public Works may hold a hearing on smart growth legislation,
including the Community Character Act, later this year.
Key Provisions
H.R. 1433
The bill authorizes $50 million per year for 5 years for a grant program aimed at
state and local planning.
HUD is the administrative agency for the grant program.
Individual grants of up to $1 million for states and $200,000 for Tribal
Governments are available.
A minimum local match of 10 percent is required.
The purpose of grant program is to assist in the development or revision of
state planning legislation, promote the implementation of planning in states with
updated statutes, or planning for multistate regions.
The development or revision of state planning legislation is designated as the
first priority for grants.
The bill establishes eligibility guidelines for receiving grants. The guidelines state
that the basic goals of planning legislation / reform be consistent with the
following principles: citizen participation, multijurisdictional cooperation,
implementation elements, comprehensive planning (which is further defined in
the bill), regular updating, and professional standards.
Grants may be use for the purposes of drafting legislation, R&D for planning
programs or legislation, workshops and public meetings, and coordination with
regional and federal land use planning.
S. 975
The Senate version attempts to clarify some legislative language and intent.
It authorizes $25 million per year for 5 years, plus an additional $1 million per
year for an educational and informational grant program for planning / zoning
officials.
The administrative agency for the program would be the Economic Development
Administration.
In addition to the primary state grant program, the bill creates a local pilot
project grant for local governments. This was done in an effort to clarify that
grants could be used for local activities.
The bill creates ranking criteria for evaluation of grant applications. Six
elements are set up as criteria: outdated legislation, facilitate development of
plans consistent w/ reform legislation, facilitate regionalism, experiencing
significant growth, protect environment and promote economic development,
and state financial commitment. The reform of outdated legislation is designated
as the "fundamental priority."
The bill maintains the House bill's "eligibility criteria" but adds a stronger focus
on environmental protection and public infrastructure.
The bill explicitly states that grants can be used by local governments for
implementation of planning and to acquire new technologies for planning. |
