November 9, 2012
Jen Horton, Policy and Planning Fellow, US EPA, for the Smart Growth Network

Rural and small town communities across the United States are embracing land use decisions aligned with smart growth principles. Publications, articles, and reports are targeting this increasingly popular movement, acknowledging that smart growth is not just a development solution for densely populated, urban places. This week’s blog post is dedicated to two perspectives on how preservation of open space and agricultural land can help rural communities maintain a strong sense of place, handle development pressures, and develop more livable communities for the future.

Encroachment of the suburbs into farmland areas in Dallas County, Iowa. (Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service) Pete Pointner is an independent consultant who believes there are positive things governments and individuals can do to preserve our rural landscapes for the future. In the paper he submitted to the National Conversation, "Preserving Our Rural Landscapes," Pointner suggests that there are two central questions planning and design can address: Where should growth occur, and what pattern and quality of planning and design should it follow? In answer to the first question, Pointner argues that large tracts of farmland should be set aside for long-term agricultural preservation, which can be achieved through zoning, purchase of development rights, and conservation easements. In answer to the second question, Pointner maintains that development of residential, retail, and industry should occur adjacent to established communities with schools, emergency services, and infrastructure, while avoiding leap frog development: "Focusing development around existing communities and preserving agricultural land from rural sprawl reduces conflicts between residential and agricultural uses and lowers the costs of public services significantly. It helps to revitalize our rural communities and preserve our rural landscapes." Ruth Miller from the Center for Community Preservation and Planning submitted a post to the National Conversation about Newton County, Georgia. This region adjacent to Atlanta has introduced planning and development goals focused on preservation of agriculture and open space. "Rural communities cover some 90% of our country's land area, grow our food, and provide the raw materials to build our cities, but they make up probably one-half of one percent of the discussion about urban planning. This is unfortunate because our least populous places are the least prepared to handle growth. In some ways, Newton County, Georgia lucked out. It watched its more urban neighbors get slammed with development pressure. Parts of Newton's Atlanta-facing edge turned into congestion-choked cookie-cutter suburbs, but this spurred the rest of the community into action. Once Newton County's leaders decided to act, they were able to move quickly. The water authority, school board, city councils, and county commission formed the Newton County Leadership Collaborative. With working groups and annual meetings, they set ambitious targets for the county. The 2050 Plan will conserve 88% of Newton County's land for agriculture and open space, and turn the rest of the land into walkable, mixed use communities like the existing downtowns everyone cherished. A study at the University of Georgia estimates that Newton County's conservation and planning will save its public agencies $3.3 billion. The 2050 Plan will also reduce carbon emissions by 33% and preserve 62% of tree cover. Several overlays, zoning ordinances, and a transferable development rights program later, Newton County is a leader in rural planning. Now, Newton County and its Center for Community Preservation and Planning are shining examples of rural smart growth." The following video, Strategic Planning in Rural America: Meet Newton County, illustrates how concerned citizens formed the Center for Community Preservation and Planning to discuss the changes affecting the community and plan together for a better future for Newton. [video:vimeo:31801741]     If you are interested in more information about rural smart growth, see the publication from the International City/County Management Association and the Smart Growth Network, Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities, which provides recommendations to help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving the rural character of existing communities. Okay, let's get to talking! Have you been implementing land preservation through zoning, development standards, codes, etc. in your town? Are there successful outcomes that you can report as a result? What are other smart growth approaches that rural towns can use to create or preserve unique, distinctive, and livable places?