Durham, North Carolina
"Smart Growth" Audit
For the City of Durham, Duncan Associates prepared a "smart growth" audit. As a working definition, the Durham "smart growth" audit started with the same "smart growth" characteristics and indicators that a similar audit in Charlotte/ Mecklenburg County applied. The Charlotte audit utilized the following 14 indicators in measuring how well local plans, policies and regulations meet local "smart growth" objectives. They include: 1) anticipating growth and planning needs; 2 ) long-term comprehensive plan with adequate land supply; 3) compact development; 4) protection of natural resources;
5) infill development; 6) variety of housing choices; 7) mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods; 8) balanced multi-modal transportation; 9) minimizing costs by maximizing existing infrastructure through coordinated land use/ transportation planning, 10) timely provision and fair funding of new infrastructure; 12) reasonable, predictable and efficient plan review process; 13) supporting fiscal policies; and 14) ability to integrate land use, transportation and infrastructure decisions. The first task gathered and analyzed all available local reports, plans, programs and regulations. These materials underwent a complete review to measure consistency with prescribed smart growth criteria; to compare consistency among various plans and policies; and to compare them to national best "smart growth" practices. This analysis resulted in the "smart growth" audit report and preliminary recommendations. A final set of policy recommendations, along with an implementation checklist of actions necessary to carry out those policy recommendations was then prepared.
Period: May 2000 - February 2001
Contact: Richard Hails
Team: Duncan Associates
Acting Planning Director
Patricia
E, Harris, AIA, NOMA 919.469.4082
Dr.
David R. Godschalk
Haden-Stanziale
