Walker calls for growth assistance

Offering a shot in the arm to growing communities, Gov. Olene Walker this week launched a program to reward cities and towns that use quality growth principles.

"It's vital that we plan for Utah's future," Walker told a group of reporters and community leaders. "That planning has to begin at the grass-roots level, in our communities."

Walker's program will provide priority access to state funds for communities certified as "Quality Growth Communities," as well as special districts, transit districts and other service providers certified as "Quality Growth Service Providers".

She also signed an executive order supporting the program, which she said needs no new legislation or money.

"When city, county and other local planners do their jobs with quality growth in mind, the state as a whole benefits immensely," she said.

The voluntary "Quality Growth Community Certification" will entitle communities to money and other incentives, but communities must embrace the so-called "quality growth planning" process, Walker said. As outlined in the program, the vision for a Quality Growth Community means the area creates a responsible balance between the protection of natural resources — land, air, and water — and development of residential, commercial, and industrial land.

Other tenets of a Quality Growth Community include:

• Multiple housing choices with commercial areas and preservation of critical land.

• Efficient use of infrastructure, natural resources and public resources.

• Cooperation between communities in solving land-use problems, while protecting private property rights.

• Quality Growth Service Providers adopting a plan for the services they provide demonstrating cooperation with municipalities, counties and other service providers in the area they serve.

Communities apply for the program through the Utah Quality Growth Commission and must complete several requirements prior to designation.

Utah has struggled with the concept of "quality" or "smart" growth principles in the past. Although polls show Utahns value quality of life, growth in the state during recent years has put growth challenges at odds with the state's commitment to private property rights.

Walker's plan assures private property rights will be protected, said Dan Lofgren, chairman of the state's Quality Growth Commission and president of the Utah Home Builders in Salt Lake City.

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