DEVELOPER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

This project will create the tools, training, and incentives needed by property owners to include landscape systems in their development projects.

Development interests and regulations are built primarily around parcel boundaries, and are therefore not guided by larger landscape patterns.  Landscape systems cross parcel boundaries, and as a result, valuable functional and aesthetic qualities are often sacrificed when an individual parcel is developed without regard to these systems. This piecemeal development leads to loss of functional and economic value and creates long-term public expense.     

This project will combine the many existing maps of Homer and its vicinity including wetland, topography, parcel and zoning boundaries, etc. A single map will be produced that includes existing and derived data to then inform areas suitable for varied levels of development and areas that would benefit from preservation as open-space.  

This map will help inform possible incentives and guidelines for developers. Ultimately encouraging resource preservation and development through cost benefit analysis and incentives. This project will create the tools, training, and incentives needed by property owners to include landscape systems in their development projects.  

The project team is committed to making the products of this project relevant and useful to the residents and developers in Homer. The consultant team is working closely with a  Technical Advisory Committee, or TAC, composed of developers, surveyors, engineers, realtors, planners, and scientists to guide the project. And as significant tasks are begun or completed public workshops will be held to inform all stakeholders and gain relevant feedback.  

See Also:
Homer Soil and Water Conservation District April Newsletter Article 
Homer Tribune Article 
Homer News Article  
Radio Realty Podcast  
PowerPoint Overview Presentation (4mb download)

Products and Schedule:

This project is scheduled to be completed in August 2008 is divided into three interrelated products:  

1.  A GIS-based, landscape-level, suitability map will identify core conservation areas to be prioritized for protection, recognize areas highly suitable for development and recognize areas that would benefit from preserving landscape systems in their development. A first rendition to be completed in September 2007.

2.  Launch a developer certification program built around the suitability map to train and influence developers (of any size projects) to incorporate landscape systems into their designs. The pilot certification program is tentatively scheduled for June 2008.

3.  Identify and incorporate incentives that encourage developers to become certified and reduce the costs associated with best management practice implementation. Ideally, the incentives identified will create situations where the bottom line of any development project will be more profitable. The initial list of possible development guidelines and incentives will be completed in October 2007.

Documentation:

This project strives to be transparent and malleable, with the intent that those interested can see the process and decisions, and that the project will be adaptable as future values, data, science become available and development occurs. We also see the documented process as a template other regions can use and to develop their own regional maps.  The process and decisions are being documented and will be available at the completion of the project. Some documentation will be posted on line as the project progresses to keep you informed of relevant information.

Project Scope of Work

     One Page Project Schedule
     Complete Scope of work

Working Bibliographies:

    Land Use and Planning Bibliography
    Economics of Open Space, Development, and Natural Capitol Bibliography
    Habitat and Wildlife Bibliography  
    Selected documents and organizations are also listed on the LINKS page

This Project is Supported by grants and support from:
The US Environmental Protection Agency
The US Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Conservation Fund
The City of Homer
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistanceship