1000 Friends of IowaPUBLIC POLICY UPDATESeptember 28, 2007 In This Issue Healthy Federal Pork Sizzles on the Grill Report Ties Urban Development to Climate Change Hot off the Press: Iowa Land Use Planning Notebook Dear Friends, Happy Fall Equinox. Sweltering summer days may be over but hot news times and policy decisions will spark changes in future development patterns. We're bringing groundbreaking news and action opportunities to your front burner, so pay close attention and keep stirring the pot as an advocate for change!Stephanie Weisenbach1000 Friends of Iowa Healthy Federal Pork Sizzles on the GrillThe United States House and Senate have passed the fiscal year 2008 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development spending bill. The House and Senate versions of the bill are different yet collectively include almost 2,000 earmarks totaling about $2.5 billion. The FY2008 Transportation/HUD spending bill is on its way to conference committee, meaning that selected members of the House and Senate will work out final changes before it is sent to the President.Typically, we see a lot of new highway projects and sprawling development receive funding from earmarks. If a road project doesn't meet enough criteria to be approved by a government agency for public funding, then supporters of that project can use political leverage with members of Congress for an earmark to add tax dollars to the project. Somewhat surprisingly, we didn't see any earmark funding for MLK extension/NW 26th Street interchange in Des Moines, the Northeast Polk County Beltway, or other projects of known concern to our members.We are pleased to see several projects for revitalization, public transit, and responsible development proposed for earmarks this year. A few of these include: Cedar Rapids for revitalization of the New Bohemia District, specifically for brownfield clean-up on the Sinclair meatpacking plant site - $150,000 from Congressman Loebsack Coralville Intermodal facility public transit hub - $400,000 from Congressman Loebsack and $1 million from Senators Harkin and Grassley Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) for an Alternatives Analysis Study to improve the transit system - $150,000 from Congressman Boswell Statewide bus replacement - $7 million from Senators Harkin and Grassley Davenport Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund and Grant Pool - $400,000 from Senators Harkin and Grassley Humboldt brownfields cleanup at Frit Industries site - $1 million from Senator Grassley Marshalltown Grant Park Neighborhood Redevelopment Initiative - $200,000 from Senators Harkin and Grassley Potentially the most exciting of all of them, another $800,000 to Main Street Iowa communities as an earmark from Senator Harkin. Harkin has historically brought home money for rehabilitation grants in our Main Street communities through an earmark, and another round of grants will serve Iowa well. If you are supportive of any of these projects, you should take a moment to write your Representative and/or Senators to encourage these kinds of public investments. For more information about earmarks, including other earmarks for Iowa, visit www.taxpayer.net and www.earmarkwatch.org. Report ties Urban Development to Climate ChangeIn Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, a comprehensive review of dozens of studies, published by the Urban Land Institute, the researchers conclude that urban development is both a key contributor to climate change and an essential factor in combating it.In it, the team of researchers documents how key changes in land development patterns could help reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. They warn that if sprawling development continues to fuel growth in driving, the projected 59 percent increase in the total miles driven between 2005 and 2030 will overwhelm expected gains from vehicle efficiency and low-carbon fuels. Even with projected efficiency improvements, vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide would be 41 percent above today's levels, rather than well below 1990 levels as required for climate stabilization by 2050, according to the report.While demand for such smart-growth development is growing, government regulations, government spending, and transportation policies still favor sprawling, automobile-dependent development. The report recommends changes in all three areas to make green neighborhoods more available and more affordable. It also calls for including smart-growth strategies as a fundamental tenet in upcoming climate change legislation. Read more about the report and download it at http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/gcindex.html Hot off the Press:Iowa Land Use Planning Notebook The Iowa Land Use Planning Notebook, published by Iowa State University Extension for nearly 30 years, was re-released after being completely updated and reformatted by Gary Taylor, ISU assistant professor and extension specialist in community and regional planning. Gary Taylor was also the primary investigator/author of the 2007 report that 1000 Friends released, the Des Moines Metropolitan Area Smart Growth Audit.The Iowa Land Use Planning Notebook is written for anyone involved in the land use planning and development process. This comprehensive guide includes the following chapters: Roles and Responsibilities in Planning and Zoning The Comprehensive Plan The Zoning Ordinance and Common Zoning Procedures Subdivision Regulations Open Meetings and Meeting Management Conflicts of Interest and Ethical Considerations Iowa Planning and Zoning Legislation Common Planning and Zoning TerminologyFor more information about the Iowa Land Use Planning Notebook or to purchase it, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/jun/060701.htm Send us your feedbackNow that we've shared with you some hot topics we've come across, feel free to contact us with updates about land use issues in your neighborhood or community. As always, we'll be happy to provide advice and point you to additional information to assist you in achieving responsible land use! Don't hesitate to send us your feedback or suggestions! 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