ProGov21 Policy Library

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year -

Level County

State(s) California

Source Sonoma County

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement

Local governments can promote sustainability in their communities by pursuing environmentally friendly and sustainable purchasing practices. Sonoma County's green purchasing policy requires the county purchasing department to promote the purchase of environmentally preferable or recycled...

Lighting a SPARCC Under Equitable Transit-Oriented Development

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source SPARCC

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Housing, Public Safety, Health, Transportation & Mobility

This publication by SPARCC offers a definition of equitable Transit-Oriented Development (eTOD) and spotlights work underway in various US cities. Successful eTOD requires planning not just for transit but coordinating how this type of investment will advance larger community needs...

Green Zones

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Development Code

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Health, Housing, Public Spaces

Green zones are special districts created by a local government to drive sustainable economic development, reduce pollution, and promote healthy lifestyles. This memo recommends granting priority permits for green zones and encouraging community involvement in their development. It...

The Case for Parks and Affordable Housing Joint Development

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town, County

State(s) California

Source Los Angeles Regional Open Space and Affordable Housing Collaborative

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Health, Public Spaces

This guide outlines how coordinating affordable housing development with park expansions can help municipal park agencies serve low-income households without raising concerns about gentrification and displacement. It recommends targeting these coordinated projects in transit-rich...

TOD and Carsharing: A Natural Marriage

Type Article

Year 2009

Level City or Town

State(s) California

Source ACCESS Magazine, University of California Transportation Center

Policy Areas Community Development, Environment & Natural Resources, Transportation & Mobility

The issue of increased traffic congestion in areas with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) due to dense development and the need for parking despite higher transit use. The city should integrate carsharing options within TODs to reduce the necessity for personal vehicle ownership...

Community Gardens on Private Property as a By-Right or Permitted Use

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Development Code

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces

Local governments can facilitate community gardens by passing ordinances that classify them as permitted or by-right uses on private property. This memo explains how permitting community gardens on private land can promote healthy lifestyles, improve access to fresh produce, encourage...

The Power of Parks to Promote Health

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2023

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source The Trust for Public Land

Policy Areas Community Development, Health, Public Spaces

Parks and natural spaces promote mental, physical, and environmental wellbeing, and many parks departments are leveraging parks and recreational resources to improve health outcomes. This report outlines the benefits of preserving access to parks and green spaces and provides policy...

The Excellent City Park System: What Makes it Great and How to Get There

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2013

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source The Trust for Public Land

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Public Spaces

This report outlines best practices for effective park development and recommends that cities take inventory of their land assets, prioritize park safety and equity, and regularly engage with the public. It also highlights case studies that have implemented successful park development...

Net Zero Energy Roadmap for the City of Burlington, Vermont

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) Vermont

Source City of Burlington, Vermont

Policy Areas Community Development, Energy, Transportation & Mobility

Pollution and energy inefficiency are exacerbating the global climate crisis, but cities can pass local policies to address these issues. The City of Burlington, Vermont launched the net-zero-energy program in 2018 to eliminate fossil fuel use by the ground transportation and heating...

Minimum Width and Buffer Requirements for Sidewalks

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Development Code

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility

Local governments should update zoning codes to mandate sidewalk vegetation buffer zones that separate pedestrians from vehicles. This policy memo highlights how these buffers improve pedestrian mobility and safety, reduce stormwater management costs, increase access to public transportation,...

County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level County

State(s) California

Source County of Sacramento

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Education, Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement, Public Safety

Cities must develop strategic planning frameworks to mitigate emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change. This climate action plan outlines carbon emission inventories, mitigation approaches, and reduction targets for Sacramento County. It provides an overview of the...

Land Value Taxation: Theory, Evidence, and Practice

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2009

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement, Housing, Public Spaces

Land value tax (LVT) refers to a property tax scheme where a tax is imposed only on the value of a building's underlying land, and not the value of improvements (structural developments) that are made on the land. These tax schemes, when used in tandem or as substitutes to standard...

Complete Parks Playbook

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States, Pennsylvania, Texas

Source ChangeLab Solutions

Policy Areas Education, Environment & Natural Resources, Health, Public Spaces

Parks enhance communities by promoting physical, mental, and social health. This guide outlines the 'complete parks approach', which helps local governments promote parks improvements by engaging communities who have historically been overlooked during parks planning discussions,...

The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Approach

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2023

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Environmental Protection Agency

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement, Public Spaces

The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Initiative provides support to communities in urbanized watersheds looking to reduce stormwater runoff using green infrastructure. This brief outlines how communities can incorporate green technology into roadway and utility upgrades....

2012 Pittsburgh Ordinance 2010-0909 Regulating Natural Gas Extraction

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2012

Level City or Town

State(s) Pennsylvania

Source City of Pittsburgh

Policy Areas Public Safety, Environment & Natural Resources, Health

This ordinance bans the commercial extraction of natural gas within the city and establishes a bill of rights which includes the rights of natural ecosystems, the right of self government for city residents, and the right to sustainably access natural water sources. It also removes...

Greening Without Gentrification: Learning from Parks-Related Anti-Displacement Strategies Nationwide

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Housing, Public Spaces

When parks are built in historically marginalized areas they can contribute to 'green gentrification' as improved access to natural spaces increases property values and brings an influx of wealthier residents. This guide outlines policy strategies for greening marginalized communities...

Pedestrian Mobility

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Development Code

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Housing, Public Safety, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility

Mixed-use zoning promotes high-density development and enables residential, commercial, and industrial uses in a single district. This memo outlines different types of mixed-use zoning and highlights initiatives that have reduced housing and transportation costs, increased biking...

2018 New York City Ordinance 32 Requiring Energy Efficiency Requirement Improvements

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) New York

Source City of New York

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

This ordinance requires the city commissioner to regularly submit proposed amendments to the city's energy code to improve energy efficiency. The proposed amendments should bring the city's code up to date with recommendations from the New York State energy research and development...

A Green Infrastructure Network Framework to Reduce Phosphorus and Protect Natural Assets in the Village of Deforest

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town

State(s) Wisconsin

Source UniverCity Alliance

Policy Areas Community Development, Environment & Natural Resources

Local elected leaders must engage with local election administrators to ensure safe and equitable voting processes. This policy brief identifies local elected leaders as the bridge between election administrators and residents and recommends virtual town hall meetings, requesting...

Highlights of Adopted Amendments to Expand Housing Options

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2023

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) Virginia

Source Arlington County

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Housing

This guide outlines important considerations for zoning and land use policies that expand housing options and improve affordability. It finds these policies allow for multiplex development in previously single-use restricted zones, preserve maximum lot coverage and set back standards...

Integrating Valuation Methods to Recognize Green Infrastructure's Multiple Benefits

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2010

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Center for Neighborhood Technology

Policy Areas Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

This report outlines the environmental and economic benefits associated with different types of green infrastructure, including urban forests, permeable pavement, water harvesting technology, green roofs, and infiltration practices like rain gardens, bioswales, and constructed wetlands....

The Power of Parks to Address Climate Change

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2022

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source The Trust for Public Land

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces

Parks and green spaces reduce air temperatures and absorb floodwater, making them vital resources in mitigating the effects of climate change. This report outlines how cities are supporting park services and promoting natural spaces to lower urban temperatures, manage stormwater,...

Illinois Gun Owners' Safety and Responsibility Ordinance

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2011

Level City or Town

State(s) Maryland

Source Town of Mountain Lake Park

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Health

This ordinance prohibits the future extraction of natural gas in the city of Mountain Lake Park, and establishes a bill of rights which includes the civil rights of local natural ecosystems, the right to a sustainable energy future for city residents, and the right to self government....

District of Columbia Green Building Act of 2006

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2006

Level City or Town

State(s) District of Columbia

Source District of Columbia City Council

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

This act establishes energy efficient and environmentally sustainable building standards for new construction and an incentives program to promote sustainable building practices across the city. Incentives include expedited document review, grants to offset costs related to sustainable...

Economic Benefits of Parks

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2011

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States, Pennsylvania

Source We Conserve PA

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces

This guide examines economic impact studies of public parks, and finds parks provide many economic benefits to their surrounding communities, including increased property values, increased tax revenues, decreased medical costs due to recreational opportunities, and decreased stormwater...

ProGov21 Policy Library

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