PLANNING & LAND USE Innovative Demonstration
PLANNING & LAND USE Innovative Demonstration Projects Program Summary: Two Innovative Demonstration Projects include the 1) Pedestrian and Bicyclist Master Plan and the 2) Sustainability Plan Framework. 1) Pedestrian and Bicyclist Master Plan Since 2008, the Greenbelt Advisory Planning Board (APB) worked on developing the Greenbelt Pedestrian and Bicyclist Master Plan with the assistance of Toole Design Group, a transportation planning group. In November 2013, the plan was formally presented and approved by the Greenbelt City Council. In January 2014, the City of Greenbelt’s Advisory Planning Board (APB) presented the Greenbelt Pedestrian and Bicyclist Master Plan, which intends to guide improvements in the conditions for walking and cycling throughout the City. This plan contains general principles for making streets more walkable and bikeable. The recommendations can be used to provide a framework and priorities for determining capital project budget recommendations in future years, and to have recommendations properly prepared and positioned to take advantage of future state or federal funding opportunities as they arise. This master plan is intended to be a living document; APB, Planning Department staff, City Council, and residents will continue to assess, revise, and add to the recommendations in the coming years. Staff from the Planning & Community Development Department continued to work closely with the Advisory Planning Board and Public Works to implement the recommendations of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the Bus Stop Safety and Accessibility Study. In addition, staff continues to look for grant opportunities. In FY 2017, a task force was established with the State Highway Administration to implement identified improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities where they intersect at city and state maintained roadways.
Proof 1.1: Pedestrian & Bicyclist Master Plan
http://www.greenbeltmd.gov/documentcenter/view/1733
Proof 1.2: Meeting advertisement in Greenbelt News Review
http://www.greenbeltnewsreview.com/issues/GNR20161103.pdf (page 7)
2) Sustainability Plan Framework The Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (Green ACES) developed the Sustainability Plan Framework to guide the City of Greenbelt’s efforts in becoming more sustainable both within city operations and community-wide. In 2013, the Sustainability Plan Framework document was presented to the Greenbelt City Council. The document highlighted aspects of the city infrastructure in which measurable sustainability goals could be and have been achieved. On September 16, 2013, the City Council held a work session and adopted the framework. The framework document continues to be a “living” document. The Sustainability Plan Framework has been reviewed and the recommended action items will be completed on an ongoing basis. The Sustainability Plan Framework is comprised of seven major sectors, each with its own goals, success indicators, targets and action plan. The sectors and their primary goals are 1) Energy: Promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the production and use of renewable energy in Greenbelt’s residential, commercial, municipal and institutional sectors; 2) Food Systems: Increase local food production and availability of locally produced food in Greenbelt; 3) Green Building: Promote and encourage green building practices in both new and existing building renovations within Greenbelt’s residential, commercial, municipal and institutional sectors; 4) Land Use: Find a balance between land use and land preservation, and ensure ways to protect the ecosystems while integrating with the built environment; 5) Transportation: Connect, unify, and create a transportation framework that is sustainable, efficient, convenient, reliable, inclusive, child-friendly and accessible – including for those with disabilities; 6) Waste Management: Zero waste to eliminate the amount of materials going to the landfill and incinerators; and 7) Water: Conservation and sustainable management of water in Greenbelt. Over the last decade, the City of Greenbelt has taken many steps towards improved sustainability. The city mitigated the energy efficiency of its facilities by upgrading the HVAC systems at city buildings, retrofitting street and building light fixtures with LED lighting and in 2012, moving to the purchase of 100% of its power from wind alternatives. Overall the city has reduced its energy use by 718, 973 KWh/year. Greenbelt provides a large variety of volunteer opportunities annually for citizen engagement in watershed stewardship through: organic gardening, tree plantings, tree protection projects, invasive species removals and litter clean up events, zero waste events, composting and much more. In 2016, over 4,300 volunteer hours were served during environment friendly events and at least 10 free workshops were held on topics such as composting, rain barrels, and rain gardens. Last year alone, the City of Greenbelt’s refuse and recycling programs diverted over 1,800 tons of waste from the landfill through comingled recycling, electronics and paint recycling, shredding days and yard waste diversion. Twice Monthly Donation Drop-Off collections also provide citizens with opportunities to recycle and repurpose a large variety of clothing and household goods. The Green Team’s Zero Waste Circle provided education and composting at 23 zero waste events resulting in 2,419 additional pounds of waste not going to the landfills. In addition, our Public Works Department has implemented a composting program for food scraps in its facility.
Proof 2.1: Sustainability Plan Framework
http://www.greenbeltmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2641
Proof 2.2: June 6, 2017 Press Release Greenbelt’s Ongoing Commitment To Address Climate Change
http://www.greenbeltmd.gov/documentcenter/view/3842
Proof 1.1: Pedestrian & Bicyclist Master Plan
http://www.greenbeltmd.gov/documentcenter/view/1733
Proof 1.2: Meeting advertisement in Greenbelt News Review
http://www.greenbeltnewsreview.com/issues/GNR20161103.pdf (page 7)
2) Sustainability Plan Framework The Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (Green ACES) developed the Sustainability Plan Framework to guide the City of Greenbelt’s efforts in becoming more sustainable both within city operations and community-wide. In 2013, the Sustainability Plan Framework document was presented to the Greenbelt City Council. The document highlighted aspects of the city infrastructure in which measurable sustainability goals could be and have been achieved. On September 16, 2013, the City Council held a work session and adopted the framework. The framework document continues to be a “living” document. The Sustainability Plan Framework has been reviewed and the recommended action items will be completed on an ongoing basis. The Sustainability Plan Framework is comprised of seven major sectors, each with its own goals, success indicators, targets and action plan. The sectors and their primary goals are 1) Energy: Promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the production and use of renewable energy in Greenbelt’s residential, commercial, municipal and institutional sectors; 2) Food Systems: Increase local food production and availability of locally produced food in Greenbelt; 3) Green Building: Promote and encourage green building practices in both new and existing building renovations within Greenbelt’s residential, commercial, municipal and institutional sectors; 4) Land Use: Find a balance between land use and land preservation, and ensure ways to protect the ecosystems while integrating with the built environment; 5) Transportation: Connect, unify, and create a transportation framework that is sustainable, efficient, convenient, reliable, inclusive, child-friendly and accessible – including for those with disabilities; 6) Waste Management: Zero waste to eliminate the amount of materials going to the landfill and incinerators; and 7) Water: Conservation and sustainable management of water in Greenbelt. Over the last decade, the City of Greenbelt has taken many steps towards improved sustainability. The city mitigated the energy efficiency of its facilities by upgrading the HVAC systems at city buildings, retrofitting street and building light fixtures with LED lighting and in 2012, moving to the purchase of 100% of its power from wind alternatives. Overall the city has reduced its energy use by 718, 973 KWh/year. Greenbelt provides a large variety of volunteer opportunities annually for citizen engagement in watershed stewardship through: organic gardening, tree plantings, tree protection projects, invasive species removals and litter clean up events, zero waste events, composting and much more. In 2016, over 4,300 volunteer hours were served during environment friendly events and at least 10 free workshops were held on topics such as composting, rain barrels, and rain gardens. Last year alone, the City of Greenbelt’s refuse and recycling programs diverted over 1,800 tons of waste from the landfill through comingled recycling, electronics and paint recycling, shredding days and yard waste diversion. Twice Monthly Donation Drop-Off collections also provide citizens with opportunities to recycle and repurpose a large variety of clothing and household goods. The Green Team’s Zero Waste Circle provided education and composting at 23 zero waste events resulting in 2,419 additional pounds of waste not going to the landfills. In addition, our Public Works Department has implemented a composting program for food scraps in its facility.
Proof 2.1: Sustainability Plan Framework
http://www.greenbeltmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2641
Proof 2.2: June 6, 2017 Press Release Greenbelt’s Ongoing Commitment To Address Climate Change
http://www.greenbeltmd.gov/documentcenter/view/3842
