Report finds outdated planning laws prevent smart growth
Smart growth measures are most successful in states in which planning statutes have been modernized. That is the finding of a recent report released by the Washington, D.C.-based American Planning Association (APA), which notes that nearly half the states have made at least limited changes in their planning laws.
The report, “Planning for Smart Growth: 2002 State of the States,” explains that, in many cases, outdated planning laws are preventing states from effectively implementing smart growth measures to address urban sprawl, scattered rural development, farmland protection and other growth issues. As a result, unmanaged development is costing local governments millions of dollars in wasteful and inefficient expenditures.
The report offers examples of cost-savings resulting from planning statute updates. Implementing the New Jersey State Plan will help that state save as much as $2.3 billion in capital costs for local road, water and sewer infrastructure by 2020. And, the planning changes within Envision Utah’s Quality Growth Strategies are expected to save the greater Salt Lake City area $4.5 billion in transportation, water, sewer and utility costs.
The APA points out that, while state and local governments bear the primary responsibility for enacting planning reforms to allow for smart growth, federal assistance also is needed. The group says that state and local government budget shortfalls likely will be the most significant impediment to planning reform this year.
To download a free copy of the report, visit www.planning.org.
