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Clearly, current and reliable planning information is essential
<br /> for achieving the speed necessary in activating a post-disaster
<br /> plan, and certainly where, as in Arkadelphia, it was necessary to
<br /> develop one that had not previously existed. While Arkadelphia
<br /> will likely benefit over time from the changes it has adopted, a
<br /> more adequate predisaster plan, especially one that
<br /> contemplated potential reconstruction scenarios, might have
<br /> allowed the city to move faster toward even bolder initiatives.
<br /> With respect to anticipating the consequences of disasters,
<br /> the Nags Head example may be more pertinent. It is nearly
<br /> impossible to foresee the path or intensity of a tornado until a
<br /> funnel cloud is bearing down on the community. Tornadoes
<br /> come as close to being truly random events as any type of
<br /> disaster on earth. But floods, coastal storms, wildfires, and
<br /> earthquakes have known (or knowable) contours and patterns
<br /> that planning can address to varying degrees. Including a
<br /> natural hazards element in the local comprehensive plan (an
<br /> element required by only a few states in their enabling
<br /> legislation) allows local planners to map those contours and
<br /> determine how to steer development out of harm's way or at
<br /> least minimize its vulnerability.
<br /> The tools for doing this have been evolving rapidly in recent
<br /> years, pushed in part by advances in scientific research on
<br /> natural hazards. In addition to the significant body of
<br /> information on this subject that will appear in the PAS Report,
<br /> FEMA last year published a manual, Multihazard Identification
<br /> and Risk Assessment, to aid communities in this endeavor. Also,
<br /> APA's GROW~4G SMAR'rTM has included a natural hazards
<br /> element in its model comprehensive plan legislation in Chapter
<br />
<br />· 7 of the Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook, scheduled for
<br /> release this fall. With these tools available, the operative
<br /> planning motto for communities preparing for the eventuality
<br /> of natural disasters should be "The sooner, the better."
<br />
<br /> :xv n c= Repo rts
<br />
<br />Local Government Tax
<br />and Land Use Policies
<br />in the United States
<br />Helen F. Ladd, et al. Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc., 12 Winter
<br />Sport Lane, Williston, VT 05495. $80. 264pp.
<br /> The relationship between property tax revenues and local
<br />land-use patterns is at the core of many debates over the
<br />shape of metropolitan development across the U.S. Issues
<br />like exclusionary zoning and interlocal competition for
<br />industrial and commercial tax base have dominated urban
<br />affairs literature for decades. This collection of essays probes
<br />that relationship from a variety of angles. Many are by
<br />Helen F. Ladd, a professor of public policy studies and
<br />economics at Duke University, but a variety of other experts
<br />in urban planning and economics also have contributed.
<br />Wallace E. Oases and Robert M. Schwab, both at the
<br />University of Maryland, examine the development impacts
<br />of Pittsburgh's unique shift, following Henry George's
<br />famous principles, to a greater emphasis on taxing land and
<br />reducing taxes on improvements, noting an atypical increase
<br />in central city real estate development. Thomas Luce
<br />examines the equity impacts of the Twin Cities' unique
<br />regional tax-base sharing program. For the most part, he
<br />finds it has not gone far enough and is thus the target of
<br />ongoing reform efforts. Overall, this is a valuable book for
<br />those curious about tax and land-use issues.
<br />
<br />Jim Schwab is the principal investigator for Planning for Post-
<br />Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction, which has just undergone
<br />review of its final draft. It is slated for publication late this year.
<br />
<br />Clarification
<br />
<br />In reference to the article about Albuquerque's growth in the
<br />June 1998 issue of Zoning News, 1000 Friends of New Mexico
<br />supports adoption of an urban service area for Albuquerque in
<br />combination with other growth management measures. The
<br />organization works on growth- and planning-related issues, such
<br />as housing, economic development, transportation, and
<br />education, in addition to conservation.
<br />
<br />Zoning News is a monthly newsletter published by the/uncrican Planning Associasion.
<br />Subscriptions arc available for $50 (U.S.) and $65 (foreign). Frank S. So, Executive Director;
<br />William R. Klein, Director of Re4carch.
<br />Zoning News is produced ar APA. Jim Schwab and Mike Davidson. Editors; Chris Burke, Fay
<br />Dolnick. Kimbedy Gester, Kate Giordano, Sanjay Jeer, Megan Lewis, Mav/a Morris, Becki
<br />Retzlaff, Martin Roupe, Jason Wittenberg, Reporters; Cynthia Cheskl, Assistant Edisor; Lisa
<br />Barton. Design and Production.
<br />Copyright ©1998 by American Planning Association, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600.
<br />Chicago, IL 60603. The American Planning Association has headquarters offices ar 1776
<br />Massachusetts Ave,, N.W.. Washington, DC 20036.
<br />All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
<br />any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
<br />storage and retrieval system, without permission in wriling from she American Planning
<br />Association.
<br />Printed on recycled paper, including 50-70% recycled fiber
<br />and 10% postconsumcr waste. ~
<br />
<br />Trees and Development:
<br />A Technical Guide to
<br />Preservation of Trees
<br />During Land Development
<br />Nelda Matheny and/ames R. Clark. International Society of
<br />Arborlculture, P.O. Box3129, Champaign, IL 61826-3129.
<br />$45. 183pp.
<br /> Tree preservation is not to be taken lightly in many
<br />American communities. Destructive development patterns
<br />and a heightened environmental consciousness have placed
<br />trees at the top of priority lists for planners and
<br />conservationists alike. This technical guide looks at methods
<br />for tree preservation in the face of land and infrastructure
<br />development. Its goal is to help readers understand how
<br />trees grow and how they respond to environmental changes
<br />brought on by development patterns. The guide also looks at
<br />trees with respect to a project's design, development, and
<br />construction. The importance of tree preservation as a
<br />communal effort is stressed as well. Matheny and Clark use
<br />detailed charts and graphics throughout the text to illustrate
<br />the steps involved in the preservation process. Appendices
<br />and case studies provide information on preparing tree
<br />preservation reports and plans, answering frequently asked
<br />questions on the subject, and more. The guide is useful to
<br />planners, public agencies, development professionals,
<br />arborists, consultants, engineers, landscape architects, and
<br />builders.
<br />
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