Smart Growth Communities Sales Meeting May 3, 2011
What is “smart growth?” 10 accepted principles that define Smart Growth Mix land uses Take advantage of compact building design Create a range of housing opportunities and choices Create walkable neighborhoods Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities Provide a variety of transportation choices Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
What makes a neighborhood walkable? A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a center, whether it's a main street or a public space. People: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run frequently. Mixed income, mixed use: Affordable housing located near businesses. Parks and public space: Plenty of public places to gather and play. Pedestrian design: Buildings are close to the street, parking lots are relegated to the back. Schools and workplaces: Close enough that most residents can walk from their homes. Complete streets: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit.
WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS Environment Walking is a zero-pollution transportation method Health Average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than a resident in a sprawling neighborhood Finances Increases the value of property Communities Studies show that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10%
Important to Buyers Commute time and places to walk are 2 of the top 3 most important community characteristics (NAR) Each point of Walk Score is worth up to $3,000 in a typical metro area (CEOs for Cities, 2009) Commercial Real Estate: A 10 point increase in Walk Score increases property values 5-8%
2011 Community Preference SurveyNAR: 2,071 Adults (2/2011) 56% of respondents survey prefer smart growth communities to ones that require more driving between home, work and recreation Willing to sacrifice square footage for less driving: 80% would prefer to live in a single-family detached home as long as it didn’t require a longer commute, BUT 59% would choose a smaller home if it meant a commute time of 20 minutes or less
Community Characteristics: When considering a home purchase 88% placed more value on the quality of the neighborhood, than the size of the home 77% want communities with high-quality schools Don’t just sell homes, sell neighborhoods! Different home buyers are looking for all kinds of neighborhood settings 2011 Community Preference SurveyNAR: 2,071 Adults (2/2011)
Omaha and Smart Growth 78th most sprawling of 83 metro areas It’s a long way from becoming the way of life Midtown Crossing– Very walkable living choice, but no one would buy the condos Would a similar development work better in west Omaha? Why are Omaha’s residents resistant to this lifestyle change?
Omaha and Smart Growth
Get Involved! Influence local government to find ways to increase the walk score of your target neighborhoods Zoning Ordinances