A Self-Assessment of Sustainability in Your Community: Williamstown Township Follow-Up Report December, 203
Acknowledgements Local Partners The Michigan State University (MSU) Project Team would like to acknowledge the following Board, Commission, and staff for their cooperation and assistance during the sustainability assessment: The Williamstown Township Board of Trustees, Williamstown Township Planning Commission, Wanda Bloomquist, Zoning Administrator, and Christopher Doozan, Planning Consultant, McKenna Associates. The information collected provided the necessary details for completion of the sustainability assessment and resulting planning recommendations. Additionally, we would like to thank our local partners for facilitating a joint meeting between the Township Trustees and Planning Commission to provide an opportunity for further collaboration and additional feedback. MSU Project Team Michigan State University School of Planning, Design, & Construction Faculty Principal Investigator Wayne R. Beyea, JD, AICP Research Assistants Callahan Coplai Joshua Ladd Seungjae (Max) Lee Elizabeth Masserang Jacob Maurer Michael Scarcelli Funder This effort was funded in part by the The Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability (MMPGS). The MMPGS has been awarded $3 Million (starting in 20) by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This project, administered by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, is intended to bring economic competitiveness and revitalization to the Greater Lansing Michigan Region of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties.
Introduction Williamstown Township, located in Ingham County, MI was selected as one of four pilot communities for a Sustainability Assessment. This assessment is part of the Sustainable Design Portfolio for Michigan Avenue Corridor (Project 7) offered by The Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability (MMPGS) and funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Project 7, specifically, contains three phases (Development, Implementation & Testing, and Education & Outreach) to move communities toward sustainable practices. Methodology The Sustainability Assessment Tool itself was developed by researching a wide variety of state, federal, and international sources relating to sustainable development. Content was adapted from sources such as the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), American Planning Association, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Transportation, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Michigan State University Land Policy Institute, MSU Sustainability Specialization and School of Planning, Design, & Construction; among others. This wide variety of sources allowed the development of a community sustainability assessment tool that addresses the full breadth of sustainability issues, with a focus on the built environment. Process Once the background research was completed, the information was divided into five sustainability categories: economy, governance, community, environment, and livability. These categories each contain a number of indicators. For example, an indicator of a sustainable economy would be protection of staple local industries. Within each indicator are a number of yes/no metrics. These are specific items that a community is either doing or not doing. In order to determine which metrics were met, the MSU Project Team analyzed the Williamstown Township community Master Plan (draft), local zoning ordinance, and other community/regional plans (e.g. Tri-County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, Grand River Water Management Plan). Additionally, the MSU Project Team consulted with the Township Zoning Administrator, Supervisor, and the Planning Consultant prior to the final presentation to Elected Township Officials and Planning Commissioners, held on September 7, 203. 2
Findings Category Evaluation Livability: Livable communities are coordinated, collaborative environments that address their citizens vision and needs by providing mixed use neighborhoods and diverse housing options. These communities provide multimodal transportation options. Governance: Sustainable governance engages citizen participation; it will function effectively and efficiently for all community members while cooperating to solve common problems. Environment: Preserving the natural environment is essential for maintaining community sustainability. Healthy ecosystems balance economic and conservation needs by assuring adequate resources to meet future needs. Community: Sustainable communities develop clear visions for future course, partner with different sectors, identify their resources, and engage citizens to address common issues by creating peaceful solutions. Economy: Economically sustainable communities establish local economies that are economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible. Sources: Sustainable.org, HUD.gov The five categories were separately assessed using the process listed above. Based on the number of yes/no answers, Williamstown Twp. was either assessed as having low, medium, or high sustainability in each respective category. (A full version of the tool with scoring and comments can be found in the Appendix of this report) Within each category, a table has been included that depicts which indicators were either met or not met. If Williamstown Twp. received a yes vote on 50% or more of the metrics within a certain indicator, this indicator was considered to be met. On the other hand, if more than 50% of the metrics received a no, this indicator was considered not met. Those indicators with a 50/50 split in yes/no were determined to be in the not met category. 3
Livability Livability For the Livability section, Williamstown Twp. scored in the medium sustainability category. By evaluating thirty-four total metrics within this category, it was determined the Township met five of the ten indicators. Livability indicators met and not met are displayed below: Low: 0- YES (23-34 NO) MEDIUM: 2-22 YES (2-22 NO) 6 Metrics Yes No HIGH: 23-34 YES (0- NO) 8 Indicator Assessment Met: Encourage Healthy Lifestyles Mixed-Use and Transit-Oriented Development Provide Safe & Diverse Modes of Transit Coordinate & Leverage Federal Policies and Investment Wide Range of Housing Opportunity Did not meet: Education & Lifelong Learning Responsible Buying & Consumption Promotion of Diversity Enhance Economic Competitiveness Value Existing Communities 4
Governance Governance For the Governance section, Williamstown Twp. scored in the medium sustainability category. By evaluating eighteen total metrics within this category, it was determined the Township met three of the five indicators. Governance indicators met and not met are displayed below: Low: 0-5 YES (3-8 NO) MEDIUM: 6-2 YES (6-2 NO) 0 Metrics Yes No HIGH: 3-8 YES (0-5 NO) 8 Indicator Assessment Met: Urban Boundary System Policy, Ordinances, Taxes Wastes & Toxic Management Did not meet: Regional Collaboration & Feedback Transparency and Accountability 5
Environment Environment For the Environment section, Williamstown Twp. scored in the medium sustainability category. By evaluating twenty-five total metrics within this category, it was determined the Township met four of the seven indicators. Environment indicators met and not met are displayed below: Low: 0-8 YES (7-25 NO) MEDIUM: 9-6 YES (9-6 NO) 3 Metrics Yes No HIGH: 7-25 YES (0-8 NO) 2 Indicator Assessment Met: Preserve Natural Resources Maintain Biodiversity Water Open Space Preservation Did not meet: Air Climate Change Energy 6
Community Community For the Community section, Williamstown Twp. scored in the medium sustainability category. By evaluating fifteen total metrics within this category, it was determined the Township met two of the six indicators. Community indicators met and not met are displayed below: Metrics Low: 0-4 YES (-5 NO) 9 MEDIUM: 5-0 YES (5-0 NO) Yes No HIGH: -5 YES (0-4 NO) 6 Indicator Assessment Met: Fostering Relationships & Shared Interests Culture, Art, Ethnicity, Heritage Did not meet: Community Visioning Conflict Resolution & Mediation Civic Engagement Justice & Equity 7
Economy Economy For the Economy section, Williamstown Twp. received a high sustainability score for the Economy category. By evaluating five total metrics within this category, it was determined the Township met all three indicators. Economy indicators met are displayed below: Low: 0- YES (4-5 NO) MEDIUM: 2-3 YES (2-3 NO) 5 Metrics Yes No HIGH: 4-5 YES (0- NO) 0 Indicator Assessment Met: Protect Local Staple Industries Technology Maintain Local, Healthy Business Did not meet: 8
Overall Williamstown Township received one high category rating and four medium category ratings. In terms of a score, this places the Township with an overall sustainability assessment of medium. This means Williamstown Township has made many great strides in implementing sustainable plans, ordinances, and practices. However, there is always more work to do. Sustainability is an on-going process and a mindset that a community must adopt to approach a desired vision based on local values and circumstances. This report illustrates recommendations for Williamstown Township to improve the sustainability score and turn some metrics that received a no into a yes. It should be noted that each metric was given equal priority. Based on local needs, issues, and values the community may choose to add additional weight to selected metrics. Sustainability Category Rating (High-3/Med-2/Low-) Economy 3 Governance 2 Community 2 Environment 2 Livability 2 TOTAL More Work to Do! 5-8 Making Good Progress! 9-2 Green Machine! 3-5 9
Next Steps Recommendations & Implementation The following recommendations are provided in five sustainability categories: Livability, Governance, Environment, Community, and Economy. The recommendations in each of the categories are focused primarily on metrics or indicators that were not met in the sustainability assessment. Each category includes a three-phased approach. First, there are projects that can be done in the short term, 0- years (phase one). Second, there are middle range recommendations, -3 years (phase two). Finally, there are long term recommendations, 3 or more years (phase three). Nonetheless, any of these recommendations may take some time to be implemented based on financial feasibility or political will within the community. The recommendations are divided into three general categories; Policy (e.g. Master Plan), Ordinance (e.g. Zoning Ordinance), and/or (e.g. By-Laws). Type: Policy Ordinance Timeframe: 2 0- Year (phase one) -3 Years (phase two) 3 3+ Years (phase three) Livability Governance Environment Community Economy 0
Type Recommendations Timeframe - Livability Begin discussions with the neighboring communities and residences to identify and prioritize mutual interests for a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program and/or a Transfer of Development Rights program (TDR). Establish a working committee of stakeholders from Williamstown Township and the City of Williamston that will work in coordination with the Ingham County Farmland & Open Space Preservation Program. 2 Ordinance Adopt and incentivize a PDR/TDR program. Evaluate potential properties for the PDR/TDR program annually. 3 Governance Policy Prioritize each Master Plan objective for implementation by the desired priority, timeframe, and responsibility. Create an implementation section within the Master Plan that targets timeframes and responsibilities for each objective/project. Track progress and adjust strategies of each project on an on-going basis. 2 3 Environment - Policy Ordinance Review climate data from the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments (GLISA) and begin to consider how climate related impacts will affect the Township and surrounding area. Adopt a climate resilience and hazard related section within the Master Plan. This section will include strategies to address community resilience towards extreme flooding, drainage, and storms. Require future buildings and infrastructure projects to undergo climate-related impact assessments as part of the regulatory site plan review. 2 3 http://bc.ingham.org/appointedboardsandcommissions/farmlandandopenspacepreservationboard.aspx
Type Recommendations Timeframe Community Policy Identify current barriers to engaging all residents of the community Design an outreach and engagement strategy for the Township Add a section to the Master Plan for community engagement that will include desired outcomes. Monitor and re-evaluate the Master Plan targets, and establish additional interactive participatory public input opportunities (i.e. social media, informal meetings, workshops) 2 3 Identify type of industry and/or retail the Township desires to attract in the Green Zone. Work in coordination with Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) to market the site. Economy Ordinance Establish an incentive program for buildings aiming to achieve LEED certification. Attend training programs focused on green development, offered by State or regional organizations (e.g. MI Dpt. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth) 2 2 3 2