MegaRegions MegaProsperity 9/24-25/09

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MegaRegions MegaProsperity 9/24-25/09
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Envision Central Texas

• First Visioning effort in Texas
• 501-C3 non-profit organization created in 2001
  for five-county Central Texas Region.
• Catalyst for regional cooperation, quality growth
  and long range planning in order to realize a
  common Vision for Central Texas
• Vision preserves and enhances our natural
  resources, economic vitality, social equity and
  overall quality of living.

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Creating the Regional Vision

• From 2002 2004, ECT worked with
  thousands of
  citizens around the region to
  create a regional vision
  to unite Central
  Texas around strategies to
  address
  critical growth issues.
• Community input Summer 2002
• Public workshops Fall 2002
• Test site workshops Spring 2003
• Regional survey Fall 2003
• Leadership Workshop Winter 2004
• Launch of the Vision Spring 2004

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The Region Speaks

• Most respondents favored the idea of more compact
  growth style paired with more open space
• Planning for growth is essential
• Change in how growth is managed
• More choices in housing, transportation and
  opportunities
• Continued involvement in the process

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Preferred Scenario 2003
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Key Elements of the Vision

• An effective transportation system that
• got ahead of the curve.
• An environment that is beloved and
  
  protected forever.
• An economy that is dynamic and diverse,
  
  with job opportunities throughout the
  region.
• A variety of housing choices affordable for
  everyone in the region.
• Actions that demonstrate an understanding that
  social equity and racial harmony are important
  values that strengthen the region.
• The protection and enhancement of our
  neighborhoods, towns, rural areas, historic sites
  and special sense of place.
• Region-wide understanding and the spirit that our
  fortunes are tied together.

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Key Initiatives

• Online Quality Growth Toolbox UT-Austin/ECT
• Fifth Annual Community Stewardship Awards
• Central Texas Greenprint for Growth
  ECT/TPL/CAPCOG

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Key Initiatives

• Regional Issues Forums
• Legislative Advocacy
• Implementation Committees
• and Task Forces

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What are steps neededto realize Central Texas
Vision?

• Maintain interest and involvement of public
  sector - secure necessary land use tools and
  resources for quality growth
• Greater connection and influence on local
  planning processes
• Maintain environmental interest and involvement
• Resources and tools to advance large scale land
  and natural resource conservation needs
• Increased private sector interest and involvement
• Developers and builders with understanding of
  rationale and fiscal case for mixed use, walkable
  projects
• Connection of Vision to economic development
• Multi-modal transportation system
• Increased variety of housing styles and
  affordable stock throughout region

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How can Texas Triangle Cities Best Work Together?

• Each metro area needs vision
• Increased communication between metros
• Work on common priorities
• Obvious major linkages such
• transportation
• water
• energy
• economic development
• conservation and open space
• land use authority

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Top Priority Statewide Issues

• A regional Vision may be the merging or overlap
  of our metro visions
• Sustainable transportation funding for
  multi-modal transportation within each metro and
  between each (rail)
• Improved land use powers and use by county
  government
• Linkage of Visions to economic development and
  sustainability
• Connection of water planning to MPO plans and
  economic development
• Whatever is standing in the way statewide of our
  sub-regions to achieve our individual visions

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www.envisioncentraltexas.org