Agenda Packets - 1992/12/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• The basic needs of all of the area's population for shelter, food, water, clothing and energy are met. The warning signs of widening socio-economic disparities recognized in the 1990s have been addressed. The percentage of the region's population living in poverty has decreased. • Housing is affordable and available for all income groups throughout the urban service area of the region. People have the opportunity to rent or own housing anywhere in the urban service area. Responsibility to the Environment • Large tracts of land with high-quality or unique natural resource and scenic values will be available for public use. All public waters have public access. • All natural watercourses, including wetlands, channels, floodplains and shorelands are sufficiently protected to allow them to function naturally. The region continues to be "water rich," and with careful management of this valuable resource, meets the multiple demands on groundwater and surface water. The region's soil and mineral resources are carefully managed. There is swimmable and fishable water quality in the region's three major rivers and some 100 lakes with major potential for recreation or for domestic water supply. Levels of nonpoint-source pollution generated locally are as low as possible under existing technology and within economic constraints. The region has reduced the per capita amounts and toxicity of waste generated compared with 1992 conditions. Reuse and recycling are at the highest level that is technologically achievable and economically feasible. There is little landfilling of wastes. There are no more major pollution sites to be cleaned up, and all previously contaminated sites have been put back into beneficial uses. The region attains or exceeds all federal and state ambient air quality standards. g The physical-de�lopr npa#e-cn of-tomregion-±s-d-irected-town-r-d-eneburaging land-use patterns that reduce traffic congestion, energy consumption, air pollution and negative effects on the natural environment. • The region has an urban service area with a compact, contiguous development pattern. Densities are high enough to make delivering services efficient, yet balanced with open space and the natural environment. In the rural area, productive farm lands and open spaces are preserved and development limited to be consistent with a rural level of public services. • T--he-two-downtowns-continue-to-p-lay-amajor-rote-inrtlre-region-as-viable cornmercial-enters, with increased emphasis on large-scale, unique facilities and events. Major retail and office concentrations, such as those around regional shopping centers, are secondary focal points and hubs of activity. Aging areas have been rehabilitated so they can continue to be viable neighborhoods. 5