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Article published May 27, 2009 Public input will be sought for green infrastructure plan
By Joel Davis of The Daily Times Staff
The Blount County Planning Commission is readying to accept more public input on a proposed county green infrastructure plan.
Planning commissioners discussed a draft plan at a special work session on Tuesday. According to Blount County Planning Director John Lamb, any plan the Planning Commission adopts is required to have 30 days notice. Setting of a public hearing will be an item on the regular meeting agenda for Thursday.
Lamb said implementation of any green infrastructure plan will not be something the county can accomplish alone."To be successful it's going to have to go outside the county government structure," Lamb said. "The county can be a partner, but it can't be a lead agency on all of this
The county's Policies Plan calls for the development of a green infrastructure plan -- including aspects such as preserved farms, open space and parks and greenways -- for the county.
The draft plan offers the following definition of green infrastructure:
Green infrastructure includes but is not limited to farmlands, forestlands, rivers, streams, wetlands, mountains, parks, greenways, recreation facilities, and the natural and constructed areas of green and open space that enhance and preserve rural character, provide recreation opportunities, conserve and protect the natural environment, and enhance the livability of the county.
The draft plan builds on citizen input in setting initial priority areas for green infrastructure implementation. During a series of workshops in late 2008, citizens most often designated:
The Little River corridor and tributary watersheds, particularly Ellejoy Creek, Crooked Creek and Tuckaleechee Cove;
Chilhowee Mountain range and associated areas of the Knobs, Happy Valley, Top of the World, and East and West Millers Cove;
Baker Creek and Nine Mile Creek watersheds, particularly wetlands in proximity to Highway 411 South.
"Those priorities areas are a good standing point," Lamb said.Carrot, not stick
The draft plan suggests using more carrot than stick, favoring the use of incentives in setting open space requirements for new subdivisions. The draft plan also acknowledges the limited nature of potential county funding.
"Local county government funding will have greatest impact as leverage towards larger funding resources outside county government, such as matching funds for grants, or part of larger programmed funds including other partners," Lamb wrote.
"It's getting the biggest bang for your buck," Lamb said.
According to the draft plan, "Purchase of development rights may be a cost-effective alternative to outright purchase of land for preservation and conservation." The draft encourages the county to continue to pursue programs concerning the purchase and transfer of development rights to implement green infrastructure.
"If we're going to be a player in this, the county is going to have to put up some money, somewhere," Lamb said.Funding ideas
The draft plan suggests, using recommendations from the Growth Management Advisory Committee, several alternatives to generate needed funding: portion of hotel/motel tax; real estate transfer fee; Register of Deeds document recording fee; one cent on the property tax rate; greenbelt roll back taxes; and dedicated special state license plate. Local funds should be used mainly as leverage for partnered funds either locally or from outside sources.
County Commissioner Gary Farmer said any such program would have to be eased into because "you have to take baby steps. It is not something that you can knee jerk and jump into."