Land Use, Agriculture and Housing Action Plan

Challenge

New housing in the San Joaquin Valley is more affordable for transplants from the Bay Area and Southern California. This increased demand for housing drives up the cost for long-term Valley residents making affordable housing a major problem for the region. In addition, housing development is taking important agricultural lands out of production, threatening the strength of this economic sector for the region.

General Plans have not been updated to prepare the region for the projected growth and city and county plans are not necessarily coordinated. The eight councils of government coordinate as much as possible. However, each reports to independent boards and often demonstrates different priorities, making the development of a comprehensive, well-planned regional transportation system difficult. State and federal agencies have begun to proactively engage in the region recently; but more collaboration is needed.

The collaboration among the eight councils of government to successfully compete for and secure state funding for the Regional Blueprint Plan is pivotal for addressing these problems. It also provides an opportunity for testing new regulatory solutions and models. Preparation and adoption of the Regional Blueprint for sustainable growth is essential for long-term economic prosperity in the San Joaquin Valley.

Indicators

• Increase in land use efficiency
• Increase in people per urbanized acre
• Increase in production of affordable housing units
• Increase in the Affordable Housing Index
• Maintenance of the number of acres in agricultural production
• Increase in acres in open space and parks
• Increase in health of ecosystems
• Increase in number of local governments with updated General Plans
• Rate of adoption of local General Plans consistent with the Regional Blueprint Plan
• Increase in the number of local jurisdictions adopting ordinances to promote smart growth and sustainable development, such as efficient water and energy use in new construction, use of green building materials and practices, reduction of urban run-off, and decrease in parking ratios
• Increase in transportation mobility
• Improvement in air quality

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Foster regional consensus to support development and implementation of the Regional Blueprint Plan.

Objective A: Assist development of regional consensus on values, goals, strategies and guidelines for the Regional Blueprint Plan.
Objective B: Develop a high-value, parks and open space strategy.

Goal 2: Promote adoption of community design guidelines that will ensure strong neighborhoods, improve mobility, improve air quality, increase energy efficiency in buildings, and increase infrastructure cost-effectiveness through land use.

Objective A: Increase the overall average density of new development.
Objective B: Reduce urban run-off by decreasing the land covered by commercial and industrial parking.
Objective C: Promote the adoption and implementation of zoning ordinances that are form-based and more flexible.
Objective D: Study and adopt a strategic concept for accommodating new growth by encouraging communities with the necessary elements and constraints to be cost-effective and self-sufficient in achieving the overall goals and objectives.

Goal 3: Determine requisite regional infrastructure and funding strategies to support implementation of the Regional Blueprint Plan.

Objective A: Develop and implement a plan for the provision of regional infrastructure.
Objective B: Develop and implement a process for monitoring the performance and adequacy of regional infrastructure and determining future needs.

Goal 4: Improve the planning and development process to be consistent with the Regional Blueprint Plan and provide incentives for smart growth.

Objective A: Improve the sharing, access and use of planning and environmental resource data among COGs, state and local governments, business organizations, environmental groups, other stakeholders and the public for more informed decision-making.

Goal 5: Develop a long-range strategy for agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley that ensures its viability and sustainability

Objective A: Develop a long-range plan to maintain the viability of agriculture in the region.
Objective B: Minimize the proliferation of ranchette development on farmland.
Objective C: Reduce the loss of farmland attributable to General Plan amendments.

Goal 6: Ensure safe and healthy communities that provide a variety of housing types affordable to all residents and more opportunities for home ownership.

Objective A: Increase the number and availability of housing units for people of all income levels, especially working families.
Objective B: Provide incentives for affordable housing that meets the needs of all income levels in the region.

Goal 7: Identify legislative and regulatory changes necessary to facilitate the implementation of the adopted goals and strategies.

Objective A: Use the San Joaquin Valley as a pilot for testing new permitting and environmental incentives that will facilitate infill and refill developments.
Objective B: Develop an innovative approach to establishing a voluntary high-value open space conservation system.