Sustainable Communities Plank
General Preamble
Ventura County has been a pioneer in the movement toward sustainable communities since 1967, when the cities of Ventura and Santa Paula adopted the first of seven greenbelt agreements in the county. Ventura County voters reaffirmed their commitment to sustainability by approving the first Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiative in 1995. Hillside protection ordinances currently protect open space in Ventura and Thousand Oaks. Public support for infill and compact development has been demonstrated in general plan updates for over a decade. Ventura County remains a national leader in the effective protection against urban sprawl.
A sustainable community exists in a healthy dynamic relationship with its natural environment and with other communities. Ideally, it does not import water or energy, and does not export its wastes. It does not depend on population growth or expanding borders to sustain its economy, nor does its prosperity depend solely on the extraction of finite natural resources. These goals may not be entirely achievable in the real world, but they are the principles that give direction to practical efforts.
As the era of cheap oil comes to a close, it is imperative that America’s cities return to the common-sense principles that shaped our communities prior to the dominance of the automobile. Ventura County Democrats support the principle of sustainable communities to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and to promote economic well being, a healthy environment, and social equity for all who reside here.
To this end we support the following goals and policies, Ventura County Democrats will:
A sustainable community exists in a healthy dynamic relationship with its natural environment and with other communities. Ideally, it does not import water or energy, and does not export its wastes. It does not depend on population growth or expanding borders to sustain its economy, nor does its prosperity depend solely on the extraction of finite natural resources. These goals may not be entirely achievable in the real world, but they are the principles that give direction to practical efforts.
As the era of cheap oil comes to a close, it is imperative that America’s cities return to the common-sense principles that shaped our communities prior to the dominance of the automobile. Ventura County Democrats support the principle of sustainable communities to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and to promote economic well being, a healthy environment, and social equity for all who reside here.
To this end we support the following goals and policies, Ventura County Democrats will:
Statement of Principles
- Provide safe and convenient alternatives to the automobile, including: walking, bicycling, ride-sharing, bus transit, light rail and intra and inter-county mass transit;
- Promote equitable and environmentally sound policies for road construction, traffic management and public parking;
- Promote regional agreements to discourage “sales-tax islands” of large freeway-oriented retailers. Support zoning policies that encourage neighborhood shopping and revitalization of downtown commerce;
- Encourage development of affordable housing to: allow workers at all income levels to reside near their place of employment; to provide the elderly with safe and dignified homes in retirement; to address the needs young adults and families with children; to provide emergency and transitional housing to homeless citizens and services to help them return to self-sufficiency;
- Enact city and county land development, entitlement and approval procedures that are predictable, fair and cost effective. Encourage smart growth with incentives that minimize uncertainty for developers. Include community stakeholders in participatory planning. Protect homeowners’ rights by preventing eminent domain actions solely intended to increase tax revenue;
- Encourage policies that give preference to infill development, reuse of existing structures, and a healthy mix of residential and commercial facilities within local neighborhoods;
- Adopt building local codes that exceed state minimums for energy and water conservation, and reduction of solid waste. Encourage Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings and local generation of renewable energy; and
- Include responsible handling of waste as part of our community’s sustainability. Sustainable communities do not export waste. Waste management, waste reduction and recycling efforts are aspects to be dealt with. Recycling efforts encompass household waste, hazardous waste and electronic waste.
Statements in Support of Specified Actions by Government Agencies
- Support the efforts of the Ventura County Civic Alliance (VCCA) to promote comprehensive regional planning to accommodate future population growth in a manner that will improve economic, environmental and social conditions our communities; and
- Protect and renew Ventura County’s SOAR ordinances and strengthen existing greenbelt agreements. Oppose annexations that are inconsistent with SOAR’s principles.