MARIN COUNTYWIDE PLAN UPDATE 2001

INTERIM GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 

Preamble

 

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future is the overarching theme of the Marin Countywide Plan. Marin County government is committed to lead by example, support public participation, and work in community partnerships to improve quality of life and use key indicators to measure progress. To design a sustainable future, we will:

 

Guiding Principles

 

1. Link equity, economy, and the environment locally, regionally and globally.

We will improve the vitality of our community, economy, and environment. We will seek innovations that provide multiple benefits to Marin County.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Social, economic and environmental indicators listed below; GPI

(Genuine Progress Indicator: comprehensive, aggregate measure of general well being and sustainability

including economic, social and ecological costs).

 

2. Use finite and renewable resources efficiently and effectively.

 

We will reduce consumption and reuse and recycle resources. We will reduce waste by optimizing the full life cycle of products and processes.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Per capita waste produced and recycled; per capita use of energy, natural gas, and water; ecological footprint (measures per capita consumption of natural resources).

 

3. Reduce the release of hazardous materials.

 

We will make continual progress toward eliminating the release of substances that cause damage to living systems. We will strive to prevent environmentally-caused diseases.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Water and air quality; measurements of toxic levels; childhood cancer rates.

 

4. Steward our natural and agricultural assets.

 

We will continue to protect open space and wilderness, and enhance habitats and bio-diversity. We will protect and support agricultural lands and activities and provide markets for fresh, locally grown food.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Acres of wilderness; acres of protected land; level of fish populations;

track special status plants and animals; quantity of topsoil; active farmland by crop; productivity of acreage

and crop value of agricultural land; acres of organic farmland.

 

5. Provide efficient and effective transportation.

 

We will expand our public transportation systems to better connect jobs, housing, schools, shopping and

recreational facilities. We will provide affordable and convenient transportation alternatives that reduce our

dependence on single occupancy vehicles, conserve resources, improve air quality and reduce traffic

congestion.

Examples of Community Indicators: Vehicle miles traveled; bus and ferry ridership and fares; person miles travelled; community walkability; miles and use of bike paths.

 

6. Supply housing affordable to the full range of our workforce and community.

We will provide and maintain well designed, energy efficient, diverse housing close to job centers, shopping

and transportation links. We will pursue innovative opportunities to finance workforce housing, promote

infill development and reuse and redevelop underutilized sites.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Jobs-housing balance; Housing affordability; Number of new housing units within walking distance to jobs or transit.

 

7. Foster businesses that provide a balance of economic, environmental and social benefits.

We will retain, expand and attract a diversity of businesses that meet the needs of our residents and strengthen our economic base. We will partner with local employers to address transportation and housing

needs.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Taxable sales; retention and attraction of targeted businesses; job growth; unemployment rate; number of businesses with environmental management systems; hospitality revenues.

 

8. Educate and prepare our workforce and residents.

We will make high quality education, workforce preparation and lifelong learning opportunities available to all sectors of our community. We will help all children succeed in schools, participate in civic affairs, acquire and retain well-paying jobs, and achieve economic independence.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Education level of Marin residents; per-pupil expenditures; percentage of eligible voters who voted; high school dropout rate; percent of high school graduates going to college or post secondary training.

 

9. Cultivate ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity.

We will honor our past, celebrate our cultural diversity, and respect human dignity. We will build vibrant communities, enact programs to maintain, share and appreciate our cultural differences and similarities.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Racial diversity; diversity of community and corporate leadership; number of hate crimes; number and use of cultural resources such as museums and theaters.

 

10. Support public health, safety, and social justice.

We will live in healthy, safe communities and provide equal access to amenities and services. We will particularly protect and nurture our children, our elders, and the more vulnerable members of our community.

 

Examples of Community Indicators: Income statistics; health statistics; Percent of uninsured (medical) population; longevity after retirement; volunteerism; crime rate; percent of philanthropic contributions.

 

 

 

Probably the most challenging task facing humanity today is the creation

Of a shared vision of a sustainable and desirable society, one that provide permanent prosperity within the biophysical constraints of the real world in a way that is fair and equitable to all  of humanity, to other species, and to future generations."

 

 

                                                 Robert Costanza