Please contact Co-Chairs:
Detty Peikert, AIA (dpeikert@peikertgroup.com) or
Shela Fletcher (shela_fletcher@hotmail.com)
To join the e-mail list send an e-mail to: GoletaBlueprint-subscribe@topica.com
Background:
Over the past several years the Sustainable Regions Committee (formerly Land
Use Committee) of TSP has been considering a project consisting of a series
of workshops to build consensus around a multi disciplinary vision for a
sustainable region. The proposed project was referred to as the Blueprint for
a Sustainable Region. At its recent board retreat the committee decided to
move forward with a project that is more narrowly focused on Goleta Valley
rather than the entire South Coast.
Goleta Valley, although a distinct geographic region of the South Coast, is
currently governed by four jurisdictional entities with differing goals. The
number of competing interests has restrained the formation of a cohesive and
holistic vision for a balanced and sustainable future that encompasses the entire
Goleta Valley.
TSP would like to provide a collaborative effort to study the ideas and proposals
of various groups and work toward a vision for the residents and businesses
of Goleta Valley so that planning and policy decisions can be made to ensure
a sustainable future.
Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to bring together community leaders, stakeholders,
planning and design professionals, and residents to create a positive vision
for a Sustainable Goleta Valley.
Goal:
The goal of this effort is to create a document that graphically depicts
the major issue areas, or Five Pillars of Sustainability, including Economy,
Environment and Open Space, Transportation, Housing, and Basic Community Services.
The graphic depictions will include an easy to understand colored map of the
region that will show the interaction of all these elements as they might be
implemented in the future. There will also be a number of vignettes and sketches
to show visually how some of the elements of the “blueprint” might
be realized. Included with the document will be a series of written principles
that relate to the key elements depicted in the map. Virtual modeling may also
be used to show how various scenarios might be played out.
Limitations:
This project is not intended to replace Goleta’s General Plan or other
community planning efforts now in place or underway. It is merely intended to
build consensus around creative ideas that can complement and inform the governmental
planning process. As such the work product of this project will be kept broad,
providing general concepts and creative proposals that support traditional and
alternative solutions.
Process:
A steering committee will be formed to take responsibility of organizing
and executing the project. The steering committee will consist of TSP board
members as well as non board members with energy, interest and expertise to
contribute.
The proposed elements of the project are as follows:
- Planning and design of the “Blueprint” project and process
- Collection of background data, demographics, maps etc.
- Outreach to community leaders and stake holders
- A series of three or four public visioning workshops to take input and
develop consensus around principles of sustainability - Interpolation of workshop results to create graphic and written work
product - Final workshop to present and finalize draft documents
- Publishing of work product
- Presentation to public and government agencies
Timeline:
Ideally the workshops would move forward before the summer, however, much
planning by the steering committee is necessary before a definite timeline
can be set. A more realistic goal would be to proceed with planning and fundraising
through spring and summer and plan the workshops for November and December
of 2004.
Funding:
There are likely to be many people and organizations supportive of this project.
Possible financial backers include, government agencies, financial institutions,
businesses and UCSB.
The first step is to generate a document that clearly articulates the scope
and nature of the project so that some initial seed capital can be raised to
cover expenses incurred in planning the project.
Conclusion:
This is an exciting project that could capture the imagination of the community
and positively influence efforts now underway to plan for the future of the
Goleta Valley. The time is right for TSP to bring the principles of sustainability
and livable communities to the table and make them part of the equation.