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The Smart Growth Principles are a guiding' force for the:Smart Growth Net~orl(, acoalition.' ' ' "of'-' ' "'
<br />organizat ons that includes the. U.S. Envi'ronmental Protection Agency;.American Farmland'
<br />Trust, National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae, International City/countyM'ana§ement
<br />Association, Institute of Transportation Engineers, and others~The principles serve as:'~ fram~
<br />work for §rowth, resulting in the efficie~ t use of resources, and, the development:of'attracitfve,-:
<br />healthy, safe, and vibrant neighborhoods where, residents' can enioy a }ifgt~ quality ot~life; The
<br />
<br />~ Takeadvantageofcom[~actbuilding'desi§fi; : ' '
<br />J Create a range of housing opportunities and choices; .-'.-. "- ::".:,:...
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<br />~ Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong'-sense of'pl~ce~ '- ":" -:;-.'-~ .': __" -'-' ,.-;: 2
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<br />to pay for upg'rades in city water infrastructure
<br />systems, The Maryland program provides
<br />financial assistance for local governments to
<br />correct inadequate water supply systems such
<br />as aging and poorly operating' water treatment
<br />facilities. The money helps to replace leaking'
<br />water mains, repair or replace storag'e tanks,
<br />connect residences with contaminated or inad-
<br />equate wells to city water, and upg'rade exist-
<br />in§ water facilities to meet current federal and
<br />state standards.
<br /> Unfortunately, fix-it-first policy implemen-
<br />tation is slow in most states because of preex-
<br />isting polities and procedures. But as state
<br />and local budgets tighten further, it offers
<br />
<br /> ': ~.:' ' - ' ' - -- ':::' -~.:-':'-'- · greater appeal.
<br />Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmentaL'areas;. '~".. '?"-~. '- - .'
<br /> ,.. .... . ..... . .!:.Q~:.,~._. _.. 'Prfcing. Two types of pdcing' strategy can
<br />Strengthen and direct devel~ pment towards existing communities;' -- ':- '-.- "' '--- -'. -:- .:' affect water cost and demand. The first deter-
<br /> .- : "-::'i~ ::(':. :.' :'. ': ~:' .'
<br />Provide a. variety of transportation choices; ~ -'- -:'" .'' _t .-~ii:. "...':~?..:~.2 ?-) t:: mines who pays for new infrastr, ucture serving
<br />Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective; and' ".~' :~-: -'-:~:_i-'.~ ' _::!!'.-~ new development. The trend over the past ~5
<br /> ' --:' : -" · .?. ~- years has been to shift the cost of new inffa-
<br />Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.. --'- : ~
<br /> . v ..' '. . . :-. ;~.iy.:-.i~--! ,.-.. structure to developers,.and ultimately, p~operty
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<br /> includin~ reducing water cost and demand.
<br /> For exumple, compact building desig'n and
<br /> walkability both favor smaller lots and keep
<br /> water users closer together. Communities that
<br /> encourage climate-appropriate landscaping
<br /> also create a stronger sense of place, one of
<br /> being part of a particular eco-re§ion rather
<br /> than strugg'ling to imitate the broad green
<br /> lawns of Britain.
<br /> Fix-it-~rs£ ]'he "fix-it-first" approach to
<br />infrastructure management is one way to
<br />encourage the smart growth principle of
<br />directin§ development to existing communi-
<br />ties. Poorly maintained, decaying infrastruc-
<br />ture contributes to the abandonment of many
<br />city cores and inner-ring suburbs. It also
<br />inhibits redevelopment. Tending to existing
<br />infrastructure with routine maintenance and
<br />proper upgrades may help attract new resi-
<br />dents and businesses to these areas. Healthy
<br />systems (even old ones) often can accommo-
<br />date new growth and infill development,
<br />which save on the capital expenses of extend-
<br />ins' existing water networks or building new
<br />systems.
<br />
<br /> The U.S. EPA established state drinking
<br />water revolving funds to provide Iow-interest
<br />loans for water infrastructure. The loans are
<br />earmarked for upgrades and for the replace.
<br />ment of failing systems in existing communi-
<br />ties. States administer the revolving funds and
<br />set lundin§ priorities. The loans provide a
<br />
<br /> Tending to existing infrastructure with '
<br /> routine maintenance and proper upgrades helps
<br />
<br />attract new residents and businesses. -. which
<br />saves on the capital expenses of extending existing
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<br /> water networks.
<br />
<br />valuable source of funding' for local systems
<br />but, unfortunately, the demand for them is
<br />greater than the supply.
<br /> Fix-it-first is the adopted state policy in
<br />New Jersey. Maryland, Pennsylvania,
<br />Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin,
<br />California, Oregon, and Washington. Maryland
<br />encourag'es §rowth in urban areas by helping
<br />
<br />buyers. Currently, 77 percent of drinking' water
<br />utilities recover some or all of the cost of service
<br />extensions through developer contributions.
<br /> The second pricing strategy, determines
<br />how much users pay for water consumption.
<br />For years, water prices in many areas failed to
<br />cover costs. The GAO estimated that in ~oo~,
<br />more than 25 percent of utilities failed to
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<br />ZONING'PRACTICE 5.05
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