Ending urban sprawl is easy to say, but "Urban Sprawl"
is a concept which is easy to visualize, but which is not exactly defined,
and for which no method of measurements exist.
In a situation like this, 'ending urban sprawl'
must be regarded as "an objective in mind", i.e., something to work towards.
It is necessary to develop "physical objectives", i.e., things that are
real enough to be worked on, to be attained, or actually to see, feel or
touch. Properly done, accomplishing the list of physical objectives automatically
causes attainment of the objective in mind.
The following is a list of possible physical objectives
to end urban sprawl.
1) Modify state law to require the affected county to concur in annexations.
2) Modify state law to require 100 % absorption of all existing enclaves
in a city before annexation outside the current limits can occur.
3) Modify state law to require budgeting and financing of all services
needed by the annexation before its implementation.
4) Require Dept Of Transportation to expend 20% of all funds received
on mass transport.
5) Require DOT to upgrade all city routes to include sidewalks and
bike lanes.
6) Modify city ordinances to require 100 elimination of enclaves.
7) Modify city ordinances to require in-fill of property which satisfies
the same goal before any annexation
8) Develop measures of sprawl, such as % of empty land, population
allowed by existing zoning, change in city area, change in city boundary.
9) Change city/county ordinances to require developer to fund all added
services required.
10) Develop concepts of 3-D zoning, shops lower floor, offices next
1 or 2, apartments above.
11) Develop realistic zoning for apartments: 200 sq. ft. is an adequate
single person apartment.
12) Designate sites for theaters, branch libraries, drug stores, grocery
stores in residential areas.
13) Change tax laws and water/sewer charges to penalize distance from
city core.
14) Design cities for people, not for automobiles and buildings.