APPENDIX N: EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE FUTURE
LAND USE PLAN
PROVIDED BY: PLANNING &
ZONING CENTER, INC.
DATE: 2003
ENVIRONMENTALLY
A
Basic Elements of a Natural and Related Resources Inventory
What should be included in
the natural resources Inventory (sometimes referred to as green infrastructure):
·
Base map (with
roads, section numbers, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and drains)
·
Soils by type and
mapping of soils
o
Suitable for
septic systems
o
Suitable for
basements
o
With steep slopes
o
That are
considered prime farmland (SCS definition)
o
Sand and gravel
or other minerals at surface (if any)
o
Hydric soils
·
Topography (from
USGS if there is no more refined information)
·
Land Use/Cover,
o
All land
use/cover types in 1978
o
All land
use/cover types (based on recent air photo interpretation)
o
Change map for
all land use/cover types
o
Map of just forests/woodlands
o
Map of just wetlands
o
Map of just farmland
·
Important
Farmlands Map (by Soil Conservation Service if available)
·
PA 116 farmlands
and open spaces enrolled in the state PA 116 or PDR program (from Dept. of Ag)
·
Floodplains (from
HUD, DEQ or local study)
·
National wetlands
inventory map
·
Designated
environmental areas (if any, from DEQ)
·
High risk erosion
areas (if any, from DEQ)
·
Designated sand
dunes (if any, from DEQ)
·
Priority habitat
areas (if any, from Michigan Natural Features Inventory)
·
State/federal/county/municipally
owned lands
·
Lands owned or
managed by a land conservancy
·
Groundwater
vulnerability map
·
Known sites of
contamination from DEQ
·
Known water well
locations from District Health Dept.
·
Known oil and gas
locations from DEQ
·
Mineral resources
(if known) from DEQ
·
Scenic resources
map
·
Historic and
other cultural resources map
·
Map showing
location of sewer and water lines, treatment and storage facilities and
discharge locations for comparison to green infrastructure
·
Existing parcel
map (from assessor, or county)
·
Composite master
plan map of adjoining jurisdictions (if available)
·
Composite zoning
map of adjoining jurisdictions (if available)
·
Watershed map
covering all watersheds in area (if available)
Where and What to Include in
·
The key natural
features maps would be included in the natural resources section of the Plan
(or sometimes in an Appendix) and would be accompanied by text that:
o
Explained the key
observations associated with each map
o
Identified any
areas of special interest or concern, or under special threat or need for
action
o
Key animal
habitat and movement corridors would be identified
o
Carrying capacity
of key resources for use, development or compatible adjoining development would
be performed (often on a watershed basis)
·
Description of
community character would include:
o
Recognition of
the importance of the natural environment to the character, economy and quality
of life of the community
o
Incorporation of
natural resources and natural features in the description of the character of
each of the neighborhoods or planning sub-areas of the community
·
The goals,
objectives and policies section of the Plan would include a separate section on
natural resources, natural features and environmental protection. In addition,
other sections would incorporate relevant goals, objectives and policies
associated with the natural environment (especially the sections on community
character and infrastructure).
o
Accompanying text
would identify issues and opportunities for natural resource protection and
improvement (rehabilitation and/or reclamation)
o
Alternative means
to accomplish the goals would be examined.
o
Policies would
focus on compatible development and resource conservation. This would include
preparing protection and development standards for all lands in the community,
ranging from those that are least suitable for development to those that are
most suitable for development
·
The Future Land
Use Map would identify those natural resources and natural features that are
desired to be managed for long term preservation or renewable use (like
farmland and forestland). There may be separate maps for special natural
features like greenways, or special environmental areas like sand dunes or
complex wetland systems.
·
The
implementation section would include recommendations for action to implement
those goals, objectives and policies associated with natural resources, natural
features and environmental protection. These may include:
o
Acquisition of
critical properties
o
Increased
interaction with other county, state or federal entities for technical
assistance
o
Alternative
zoning protection regulations and/or resource conservation ordinances
o
Identification of
opportunities for integrating environmental protection into economic
development and social equity policies
o
Relationship of
green infrastructure policies to grey infrastructure policies
o
Importance of
coordination of implementation with abutting jurisdictions, and within the
watershed.