MEMO

CONSUME LESS PRODUCE MORE 6.13.2011

To

Mr. Greg Stanton gstanton2@gmail.com

From Jeremy Stapleton

TOPIC | Phoenix Livability 1. Situation Analysis:

The fundamental competitive advantage of our cities is livability. A city is formed to distribute the resources that allow us to fulfill our dreams. It is a citys function to build the setting and circumstances that allow us to feel we can achieve OUR Dreams. We want to know that the places we live, work, play and invest sit on a strong and stable foundation of economic, ecologic and social prosperity. It is difficult to balance the demands and desires of an increasingly diverse and growing population while ensuring ongoing investment and reinvestment in our selves, cities and causes. More and more of us want to be free from the guilt of consumption and desire a setting that allows us to live lighter on the land. More and more of us identify with a feeling of misrepresentation, underrepresentation, a mistrust of government, a sense of hopelessness that our behavior, actions and intent actually affect anything in a corporately globalized world, and are longing to live in a PLACE that represents and supports the lifestyle we desire. By focusing on the details of this setting, the causes and effects of our systems, processes and procedures, we can more efficiently and effectively craft our cities into settings that support prosperous lives for more people while answering the demands for smaller, more efficient and representative government. This memo begins to explore ideas on how to make Phoenix more desirable and livable given our contemporary knowledge, wisdom, needs and desires.

2.

Plan Goals
1. Make Phoenix More Livable/Competitive a place we want to be, a fountain of resources 2. Mitigate Negative Externalities 3. Improve Equitability a. Resource distribution b. Representation 4. Facilitate Active Public Participation

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a: p.o. box 1247 phoenix az 85001 e: jeremy@SynergyDesignLab.com c: 602.516.0313

MEMO
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3.

Plan Objectives
1. Revise Codes & Standards |build a cleaner, greener, biophilic city Many negative externalities are imposed by failing to revise the standard details of how we develop and maintain our city. We know better, more sustainable ways to build but are barred from doing so because the new techniques/strategies are not in the handbook (i.e. rainwater harvesting, complete streets, etc). Supporting and encouraging natural systems can mitigate the need for infrastructure, maintenance and operations while conserving energy, protecting the environment and improving public health. 1) Zoning Code a) Smart Code (www.smartcodecomplete.com) 2) Building Code 3) Adopt a Complete Streets Policy (www.completestreets.org) 4) Research/Adopt NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guideline (www.nacto.org) 5) Revise MAG Standard Details & Specifications to make them leaner & greener 6) Encourage Eco-Industrial Parks tenants would utilize each others waste to create their product/service, eliminating costs and pollution of shipping. 7) Adopt a Rainwater Policy (Tucson has taken the lead) a) Harvest rainwater from streets to grow shade b) New Construction rainwater harvesting requirements 2. Reduce Waste Did you know the City of Phoenix Recycling program sells most of its byproducts to China, reducing the effectiveness of recycling? Only one product is sold locally (a paper pulp to a Flagstaff co.). The Green Glass from recycled wine and beer bottles is the most challenging product to find a buyer for yet an easy solution exists. This same green glass could be incorporated into standard details that specify concrete. Curbs, gutters and sidewalks could incorporate this green glass, creating a local market for the product while reducing solar loading of concrete surfaces and their impact on the Urban Heat Island effect. 1) Strategize a Diversion Program a. Foster multifamily & commercial recycling b. Explore waste tax/charge by quantity/weight 2) Audit Collection Practices a. Rail based delivery to landfill would cut costs and emissions over the remaining life of the facility (approx 75 100 years). 3. Grow an Urban Forest | Clean, Feed and Cool the City Several factors are pushing me to start a Tree Trust or Urban Forestry Trust. Rising pressure

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a: p.o. box 1247 phoenix az 85001 e: jeremy@SynergyDesignLab.com c: 602.516.0313

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CONSUME LESS PRODUCE MORE 6.13.2011

on the General Fund is resulting in an unwritten policy of not planting any more trees because there is no budget to maintain them. The new Phoenix Tree and Shade Master Plan is pushing in the opposite direction and the insiders at the city are trying to strategize how they can actually plant and maintain more trees. Growing a healthy and vibrant urban forest is essentially developing a 24/7 workforce that cleans and cools the city. The money spent offers a return on investment that rivals or beats investment in most other city services. My thought here is that the table is set for a new mechanism (to Phoenix and Arizona) for financing things that people desire. The General Fund is subject to subjective appropriation, a growing percentage of the public is asking for smaller government, and countless citizens have proclaimed that they would donate to a fund that would keep certain services alive. Ive floated the idea of starting a Tree Trust to fund healthy urban forests state wide and its been well received but nobody else I know is going to put the effort in to get the trust started and off the ground. So, Im trying to strategize how I can connect people/ build a board to pull this thing off as I cant do it alone. I just dont have all the knowledge and answers yet to be efficient and effective but Im getting there. There are several potential partners that could take a role in creating a public private partnership to get the Tree Trust started. Keep Arizona Beautiful is looking to reinvent itself and reach out beyond trash cleanups and recycling efforts. As a state-wide non-profit, they could potentially house and promote the trust and the board has shown some interest. A big part of growing a healthy urban forest is already being done and it may make sense to include the Arizona Community Tree Council as a partner to avoid duplicating efforts. Naturally, cities could also elect to participate to utilize the trust funds and the public could voluntarily donate (self-tax) to the trust. This could potentially supplement or remove forest maintenance as a line item in the budget, transferring care and funding to people that really care and will be most efficient and effective at getting the job done. Im sure youre aware of other cities that have tree trusts. This is not a new idea, but its new to the valley and could be the butterfly that flaps its wings to cause a wave of change and progress. 4. Improve Bicycle/Pedestrian Conditions | Awareness, Access, Convenience and Comfort Getting more people on bikes more often will mitigate our reliance on non-renewable energy sources, improve our air quality and build a stronger sense of community, offering residents more freedom from the burdens of an auto-dependent city. 1) Maintain Bicycle Coordinator Position 2) Adopt Official Bike/Pedestrian Plan a) Increase dedicated bike lane miles b) Develop Bike Parking Policies c) Ensure Safe Routes to School

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a: p.o. box 1247 phoenix az 85001 e: jeremy@SynergyDesignLab.com c: 602.516.0313

MEMO
CONSUME LESS PRODUCE MORE 6.13.2011

d) Support Phoenix Tree & Shade Master Plan 3) Encourage a Bicycle Economy/Increase Revenue (Colorado brings in over $1billion a year through bicycling alone) a) Tourism & Events organized, standing/annual, spontaneous i) San Tan Wheelie Jam ii) Tour de Phoenix iii) Olympic/Pro Trials & Training iv) Velodrome races b) Local Manufacturing (Bicycles, clothing, accessories, etc.) c) Support Retail/Service Industry 4) Complete Demonstration Projects a) Canal Scape b) Convert alley easements to bike/pedestrian corridors Many people are too scared to ride their bike next to traffic, separate facilities are warranted and successful in other cities. Opportunity to increase pervious surfaces/reduce costs of storm water Increase Eyes on the Alleys Opportunities for Public Art, Neighborhood Identity/ownership Develop an Alley Economy commercial ops that cater to bikes/peds c) Historic Preservation Bike Maps & Neighborhood Tours Public/Private Partnerships support Tourism d) Village Bike Maps i) Partner with Local First, Merchants and Village Planning Committees to foster connectivity and awareness of village destinations. e) Bike Share Program $1million would get a bike share program along Light Rail. f) Phoenix Rock-a-Rack Program i) Local & Federal grants can be used to provide bike racks to businesses. g) Bike To Work Program i) Develop agreements with partners to provide nearby shower facilities. (1) YMCA (2) Gyms (3) Healthcare Industry ii) Broadcast Bike to Work numbers as point of pride/encourage competition 5) Foster Education & Awareness a) Complete COPD Training Video and Law Briefings (Toby Ehrler) b) Safe Routes to School 5. Engage & Define Neighborhoods | Foster Active Public Participation Neighborhoods define place. Neighborhood scale, community driven planning and development ensures we celebrate our diversity and define unique, desirable identities. Fostering equitable participation in the development of that identity will lead to stronger neighborhoods, commanding a sense of ownership and pride. 1) Charter Village Planning Committees as Economic Development Agents

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a: p.o. box 1247 phoenix az 85001 e: jeremy@SynergyDesignLab.com c: 602.516.0313

MEMO
CONSUME LESS PRODUCE MORE 6.13.2011

2)

3) 4) 5)

a) With the slowdown in development proposals, many VPCs are canceling their meetings. Taking an active role in planning and attracting desirable development will create better results than just reacting to proposals delivered. Its not about action/reaction, but communication to foster successful projects for private and public interests. Unleash the volunteers and citizens to attract projects they desire. b) Foster competition between villages. c) Consider defining more villages to solicit participation. Many villages are too large and diverse to be effective or cultivate a sense of representation. Identify & Support new Neighborhood Centers a) Redevelop State Fairgrounds as a mixed-use neighborhood i) Services for historic neighborhoods ii) Provides a gateway into Central Phoenix from the west iii) Mitigate s90+ acres of asphalt and dust iv) Create Veterans Center & Recreation Opportunities v) Provide for transit connection along 19th Ave. vi) Encourage investment along McDowell Utilize Social Media as a means of Public Involvement; participation is inconvenient Encourage Neighborhood Gardens/Forests a) Vacant lots and Rights of Way could be used to harvest resources Partner to Program Neighborhood Festivals

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a: p.o. box 1247 phoenix az 85001 e: jeremy@SynergyDesignLab.com c: 602.516.0313