Thursday, May 3rd
10:00 A.M.
1. Welcome and Introductions: Lynn T. Bush, Executive Director, Bucks County Planning Commission and Chairperson, LUHC
2. Designing and Building Sustainable Neighborhoods: Sandy Wiggins, LEED AP, Principal, Consilience, LLC
Redevelopment offers municipalities an opportunity to create sustainable neighborhoods that integrate the principles of "green" buildings and smart growth. Mr. Wiggins will discuss the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBS) newest rating system, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Neighborhood Development. This system is the latest rating system to be piloted by the USGBS and is being developed to combine the best elements of smart growth, new urbanism, and green building design.
3. Local Action Plan for Climate Change - City of Philadelphia: Darlene Messina, Coordinator: Urban Sustainability Initiatives, City of Philadelphia. (Invited)
In response to growing interest in sustainability in general and global climate change in particular, the City of Philadelphia joined several national and international initiatives which seek to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ms. Messina will present Philadelphia's Local Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions by 10 percent by 2010, and continue reductions beyond 2010. Building on local examples of environmental stewardship and innovation, the early steps outlined in the plan will improve Philadelphia's ability to reduce impacts on the world while enhancing quality of life at home.
4. Moving Communities Toward Sustainability: Donna Drewes, PP/AICP, Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey
The challenges and opportunities to help communities grasp the concepts and components of sustainability are often overwhelming for both the agencies and organizations that assist local governments as well as the local government leaders. Ms. Drewes will share the work that the Municipal Land Use Center and others in New Jersey have initiated to support community sustainability. She will describe recent efforts to develop municipal sustainability plans, form a Sustainable Communities Leadership Network, and provide training and outreach to local governments on specific sustainability issue areas. A new initiative by the New Jersey League of Municipalities to form a Mayors Committee for a Green Future will also be discussed.
5. Old Business
6. New Business
7. Adjournment