EDMOND —
City leaders discussed the value of conservation in local community strategic planning in an open City Council workshop meeting Monday afternoon.
The Green Infrastructure Project is a source for conservation, preservation and utilization of open spaces to compliment gray infrastructure or development, said Phil Jones, sustainability coordinator.
“The general goal is to seek a balanced approach to growth that supports these values, but meets the needs of a growing city,” Jones said.
Layer by layer, the Geographic Information Systems computer-enhanced maps are used for planning, zoning, designing city trails and urban development. Trails and the FEMA flood plane are essential in planning for the green infrastructure network, Jones said.
Councilman Nick Massey complimented the goals of the Green Infrastructure Network but said phrases like, “commit the city of Edmond,” or “mandatory” and “ordinances” resulting from the plan make him nervous.
“We are committing businesses and city leaders in the future when we don’t know what the city will look like in 15 or 20 years,” Massey said.
Population growth brings the need to sustain Edmond’s water supply, Jones said. The reuse of storm water is an option, he said. Water usage in Edmond is expected to double by 2030, according to the 50-Year Water Supply Plan.
Mayor Charles Lamb said the Green Infrastructure Network has not been adopted by the Council. Any ordinances or standards desired in code would still require individual discussion by the Council for adoption, Lamb said.
Preserving business development while conserving Edmond’s indigenous landscape of woodlands were described by the 1999 Tomorrow’s Edmond group as “common threads” of attitude or opinion that weave through task forces, Jones said.
Lamb and Council members Elizabeth Waner, Darrell Davis and Victoria Caldwell were among those who served on Tomorrow’s Edmond; 210 volunteer community leaders participated in the community development plan.
Green infrastructure shows how parts of the city are interconnected, showing how planning development could be smarter, Waner said.
“For example by far the best way to connect was through a network of pedestrian and bicycle paths,” Jones said. “In addition, some key issues were to provide for neighborhood development and provide for neighborhood parks.”
Edmond has a favorable tree canopy cover, said Ryan Ochsner, forestry coordinator. Studies are under way to evaluate the financial benefits of trees in terms of heating and cooling efficiencies.
Further discussion will focus on parks, trails and regional detention networks and how to maximize space for aquifer recharge areas on hard-to-develop lands.
jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114
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City Council workshop looks at benefits of going green
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