VAPA Executive and Legislative Committees Hold Inaugural Meeting To Establish Chapter Positions on Proposed Legislation
By David Kovacs, AICP, VAPA Director for Policy & Legislation
On January 30, 2001, a bit of history was made when thirteen (13) VAPA members participated as the VAPA Executive Committee met with the Legislative Committee to establish positions to be taken on four (4) pieces of legislation that were before the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns during the 2001 General Assembly Session. Positions taken are as follows:
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The position on HB 2702 (requiring landowner consent for any rezoning) was opposition. The bill was tabled with minimum discussion.
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The position on HB 1673 (the better of the clustering bills) was opposition since it was contrary to the VAPA position that new legislation should be enabling and not mandatory. HB 1673 was referred, by letter, to the Study Commission on Growth and Economic Development.
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The position on HB 2026 (illumination regulation to be allowed) was one of insuring that HB 2026 did not set a standard that would not be as strict as standards that are currently used by some localities. HB 2026 was tabled upon recommendation of a subcommittee. There was no discussion.
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The position on HB 2726 (engineering reports pertaining to septic systems to be accepted by local government) was opposition. However, HB 2726 was amended so that our concerns were accommodated.
The significance of the meeting was that it formally established a process for review and position taking on proposed legislation. As a part of the meeting, the group identified some standards and criteria that should be considered throughout this process. These included the policies adopted last year as a part of the VAPA Tool Kit along with the need to examine unanticipated consequences of what might appear to be “good” legislation.
There will be further discussion of the criteria at the Legislative Session on the first day of the VAPA Conference in Rosslyn. Thereafter, proposed criteria will be posted on the Legislative Page at the VAPA website and then considered by the Board at its summer meeting.
2001 General Assembly Wrap-up
Even though the General Assembly was still in Session when this article was written, the legislative action - - with regard to planning and land use - - was essentially completed at cross-over. The VAPA Legislative Committee identified about eighty bills to track this Session. Half of these remained alive at cross-over but none really had a significant effect upon planning and land use practice. Those that would have had some impact (good or bad) were either tabled, left in committee, or stricken. A complete list of the bills that were tracked and their disposition can be viewed on the Legislative Page at the VAPA website or the table can be obtained by contacting [email protected].
One reason for a lack of real activity is that the Chamber of Commerce requested that a study commission be created to address growth and development. The resulting Study Resolution is HJ 671 – Creation of the Commission on Growth and Economic Development. During the early days of the Session, there was a general tone that any bills dealing with land use and growth would be referred to the Study Commission. However, the initial language of HJ 671 was quite restrictive and limited the study to a few major subjects. By the time the final language of HJ 671 was agreed upon, growth management, adequate public facilities, and zoning bills had been tabled; thus, it appears that the study commission will not address all (or many) of the topics that continue to be raised during the General Assembly sessions.
VAPA will monitor the activity of the Study Commission and will provide comment during the study process. Drop in at the Legislative Update Panel on the first day of the VAPA Conference for more information or if you are interested in helping to prepare the VAPA position paper. If you can’t make the conference make contact through [email protected].
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General Assembly Decides To Put Growth Bills On Hold While New Panel Looks For Solutions
By Rex Springston and Will Jones, Richmond-Times Dispatch, Jan 28, 2001
Editors Note: At the time of printing, this bill has passed as referenced in the above article. The following excerpt provides some background into the creation of said Committee.
The General Assembly is moving toward a time-honored response to the problem of sprawling development -- more study. A proposal backed by key lawmakers and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce would put growth-related bills on hold for a year while a 14-member commission looks for answers. Depending on who's talking, the study would be an opportunity for all sides to reach consensus - or a way for House members to avoid controversial votes in an election year. Del. Riley E. Ingram, R-Hopewell, said all parties are willing to hammer out recommendations to the 2002 General Assembly. "Everyone has come to the table and said, 'Let's see if we can all get along and see what we can do,'" said Ingram, a co-sponsor of the study proposal. Environmentalists, however, said they were frozen out of deliberations about the study. "Nobody asked us. Nobody discussed it with us," said Jolly de Give, Director of Planning for the Piedmont Environmental Council, a Warrenton-based conservation group. "I think it's a polite way to kill these [growth-management] bills."
The study proposal would create the Commission on Growth and Economic Development, which would consist of 10 state legislators and four representatives of local governments. Environmental groups plan to lobby for representation. The commission would examine such things as localities' needs for cash to offset the strains of rapid growth, revitalizing inner cities and older suburbs, redeveloping abandoned sites, preserving open lands and protecting property rights. The study could even look at ways to direct development to growth-hungry regions, Ingram said.
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce recommended the study after the collapse of efforts to negotiate a legislative truce for the 2001 session between representatives of the home-building industry and the Virginia Coalition of High Growth Communities. Legislators face a tough task. Builders favor smarter growth as long as it doesn't impinge on rights to build. Localities want more money and power to mange their growth. Environmentalists want more compact development to save forests, farms and rural communities. And the public doesn't leap at the idea of building houses closer together. In addition, Virginia has no plan for growth. Legislators leave that to localities, many of which have competing interests and promote sprawl.
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PIONEERS IN VIRGINIA PLANNING: Feature: William Franklin LaVecchia, P. E., AICP
By Angela Harper, FAICP
“Bill” LaVecchia has been a public service pioneer because his thirty-eight year career has successfully combined three professions – civil engineer, planner, and public administrator. Bill’s boyhood was spent in Front Royal, Oklahoma and Winchester. His early jobs employed by Safeway and the U. S. Army provided skills and wonderful experiences that led him to select engineering. Getting his B. S. in Civil Engineering and his M. S. degree in Municipal Engineering and Public Administration from VPI&SU were followed by his first local government position as Assistant City Manager and City Engineer in Athens, Tennessee. From 1954-55, Bill prepared the city’s Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and CIP. He was responsible for the engineering and construction of all public improvements and supervised the Police, Fire, Personnel and Public Works agencies.
The combination of engineering, planning and administrative experience was just what the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia wanted when they hired him as the Town Manager in 1955. His accomplishments in his four years there included the preparation, adoption and implementation of a Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. His knowledge and skills were recognized when he was the “expert witness” in the annexation case against Montgomery County, which resulted in a substantial increase in land area and population for the Town. As the Chief Finance Officer he gained experience that led to his saying, “Finance is the foundation for everything. Understanding what developers can afford to do is integral to everything you do.”
In 1959, Bill accepted the challenges of working for the “bedroom community” of Henrico County as the Director of Planning or, in reality, the “Staff Assistant to the County Manager for Planning and Community Development.” In the 1950s individuals with a wide range of educational training and experience were doing land use planning and regulation in Virginia. Henrico County had a newly adopted Land Use Plan and an accompanying Zoning Ordinance that had been prepared by Julian Tarrant, a planning consultant and planning pioneer.
An unusual dimension of the Director’s position until 1977 was his appointment to the Planning Commission with full responsibilities and voting privileges. For the next 18 years, there were many decisions that required him to balance professional training against political realities and public responsibility. The components of the County’s comprehensive plan increased substantially during this period. The Land Use Plan prepared by Henrico’s young professionally-trained planners was adopted. This Plan proposed a radically different future for Henrico. When the Plan was realized, the “bedroom community” would become a “living, working and shopping” community where quality of life for residents and businesses was a priority with economic development initiatives undertaken. The “new” elements of the Plan were the Goals and Objectives and the Phasing Plan, and the “first” Major Thoroughfare Plan was a critical component. The “first” Open Space Plan followed and led to a general obligation bond referendum that provided for the acquisition and development of land for recreation and parks.
Bill’s leadership affected the operation of other County agencies. The responsibility for drainage engineering was transferred from Public Works to the Planning Office so that subdivision plan review could be improved. After instituting review procedures and training the staff, the responsibility was transferred back to Public Works. From 1959 to 1969, Bill served as the Acting Chief Building Inspector. His work culminated in the employment of the first Assistant Chief Building Inspector. Bill instituted the review of all building permits and certificates of occupancy for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
In 1960, Bill helped the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee Chair, Lewis A. McMurran, Jr., to redraft the entire State Planning Act. The proposed bill was enacted by the General Assembly. For two decades, he was asked by senators and delegates to help with redrafts of the Act. Even the Attorney General’s Office has asked him for personal opinions relating to the Act. Being an “expert witness” was an important role that Bill had throughout his career. He remembers vividly testifying in Judge Merhige’s United States District Court as an expert witness in planning, zoning and land use planning during the Henrico, Chesterfield and Richmond school merger suit.
In 1978, Bill was promoted to the newly created position of Deputy County Manager for Planning and Inspections. In 1984, Bill was appointed County Manager and effectively used his planning experience to emphasize balancing growth between residential and business development. His understanding that “finance is the foundation for everything” led to his strengthening the County’s economic development efforts with the Land Use Plan guiding the determination of economic development sites. Henrico achieved a “AAA” bond rating from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s and achieved an enviable commercial tax base, so that quality public services could be provided with a low tax rate. Accomplishing land use planning goals through the implementation of financial strategies was successful and set the standard for all future Plan updates.
When asked how he received planning education, Bill praised the summer institutes that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology held plus VCPA, VACo, and APA conference sessions. He consulted with other localities, especially Fairfax County and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The list of Bill’s accomplishments is too long for this profile. Bill was recognized as an “experienced planner” in 1988 by the American Institute of Certified Planners and asked to be a member. In 1989, he received the Richmond Joint Engineers Council Award in recognition of his contributions to the engineering and scientific profession in the greater Richmond community and his outstanding leadership as Henrico County Manager. In 1991, he received the Richmond Metro Chamber outstanding community service award for his contribution toward the improvement and progress of the community and for his direction of Henrico County’s growth.
The most prestigious award Bill received was the 1991 ICMA award for career development in honor of L. P. Cookingham. The award recognized his ability to work with employees to develop their leadership skills. As Director of Planning he had a mission to hire young and enthusiastic planners and watch them grow in their jobs. Many of these planners have become directors and managers in other communities, as well as in Henrico. He said “In my experience, when you let people know you believe in them, they never let you down.” Bill LaVecchia retired in 1991 but has not stopped being active in church and community organizations.
This article was written by Angela Harper, Deputy County Manager for Henrico County. Angela considers Bill LaVecchia her mentor. Bill hired Angela in 1971 and appointed her Director of Planning in 1990.
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Two New Publications Help Citizens Fight Sprawl
and Tame Telecommunications Towers
Two new publications from Scenic America, "From Sprawl to Smart Growth: How to Achieve Beautiful Results" and "Taming Wireless Telecommunications Towers," are now available to help citizens advocate for smart growth that is attractive and the sensitive siting of wireless telecommunications towers. Visual quality is a basic building block for healthy, vibrant, and productive communities. We take pride in where we live and work when these places are attractive and well-designed. One of the problems with sprawl development is that it is ugly. Car-clogged asphalt, faceless cookie-cutter architecture, treeless housing developments, and an expanding network of giant, new telecommunications towers rob places of their scenic beauty and distinctive character. “As Americans across the country search for ‘America the Beautiful,’ they’re encountering a very different reality,” said Meg Maguire, president of Scenic America. “Everywhere is becoming nowhere and it all looks the same. Change is inevitable, but ugliness is not.” Smart growth initiatives recognize the relationship between development patterns and quality of life, helping communities develop policies to balance economic vitality and environmental stewardship.
"From Sprawl to Smart Growth: How to Achieve Beautiful Results" shows how citizens can implement smart growth strategies through activities such as community education, voluntary measures, incentives, land or easement acquisition, and regulatory action. This publication can be ordered for $3.50* plus shipping and handling by visiting Scenic America’s website at www.scenic.org or by calling Scenic America at (202) 543-6200 to order by phone.
"Taming Wireless Telecommunications Towers" informs communities of the options they have when advocating for the sensitive placement of towers and provides model legislation and examples of tower ordinances from across the country. It illustrates how to craft an ordinance that limits the visual impact of towers on the local landscape while still promoting wireless technology. This publication is available for $8.00* plus shipping and handling by visiting Scenic America’s website at www.scenic.org or by calling Scenic America at (202) 543-6200 to order by phone.
* Scenic America offers a 20% discount on orders of five or more of the same publication.
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News From Nationals
PUBLIC RELATIONS COURSE FOR PLANNERS
In order to provide APA members, chapters and divisions practical training and guidance in public relations and marketing, a special one-day course is being developed and will be available beginning in the summer of 2001. The goal of this specially designed workshop is to empower planners to increase public support for planning, planners and planning agencies. The workshop can be conducted either as a professional development event or as training for chapter leaders and members. Due to the design and interactive nature of the course, attendance for each workshop is limited to 35 participants. The workshop will be conducted by public relations consultant Marc Breslav and APA Public Affairs Coordinator, Denny Johnson. Marc Breslav is the founder of one of the nation's leading public relations, marketing and advertising firms specializing in the environment, and assisted APA with media outreach for the 2000 National Planning Conference in New York City. To ensure that the workshop addresses the needs of planners, we have polled APA leaders about their greatest public relations challenges and media topics of greatest use to them.
Topics to be covered include marketing and public relations basics using planning-oriented case histories; applying lessons from the APA/AICP Millennium Planning Survey and national polls in order to effectively publicize and market planning; public relations and marketing plans; message definition; getting planning stories carried by the media; cultivating reporters and editors; and utilizing APA public relations services and resources. The workshop development fee and Marc Breslav's speaking fee for the first four workshops will be underwritten by the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association. For more information about setting up a public relations training workshop in your state or region sometime during the second half of 2001 or 2002, please contact Denny Johnson at (202)872-0611 or by email at [email protected].
STAFF REFERENCE LIST
If you need to contact a specific person or department at the APA, you can find their contact information on our website at: http://www.planning.org/leadership/general/index.html.
LEADERSHIP SECTION ON THE APA WEB SITE
The Leadership Section on APA's web site is located at www.planning.org/leadership. Each Leadership e-Letter will be posted on the Leadership section of APA's website: http://www.planning.org/leadership/general/newsletters.html.
MESSAGE FROM THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES COUNCIL (SRC) CHAIR JONATHAN LONNER
The SRC website is going great and a number of people have visited it, ranging from perspective students to professors. What we now need is your help. Please alert those students, practitioners and universities whom you deal with, to the existence of the SRC and its website, www.studentplanning.org. We have found that word of mouth has been our best ally in the battle to make us known around schools. We would like to be better integrated with the other divisions and councils so that our message and resources can be more fully utilized. Please email me if you have any suggestions for increasing our student base, or if you would like to get your chapter or division more involved with the SRC, at [email protected].
APA Launches Online Legislative Action Center
The APA website now offers users a new service designed to help planners get involved in influencing federal policy and legislation. APA’s online Legislative Action Center, launched in February, puts members closer than ever to their elected representatives in Washington. With a few keystrokes, members will be able to use the APA website to find and contact their Senators and Congressman. The new service allows users to look up Members of Congress using just a zip code. Complete contact and staff information can be found for all Members of Congress and congressional committees. Schedules for committee meetings and floor activity will be available online, and users can access the latest APA legislative action alerts and sample letters to Congress. In addition, the center features the ability to send emails to Members of Congress directly from the APA website. The action center will keep members informed about the very latest happenings on Capitol Hill and allow them to take action in support of legislation to advance good planning. APA hopes to use the new technology to support its federal legislative priorities and expand its chapter-based grassroots advocacy program. It’s never been easier to make your voice heard in Washington. To access the legislative action center, log on to the APA website at http://www.planning.org and go to the Legislative and Policy area.
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