2021 Winners
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Best Practices
Code Amendments for Pedestrian Safety/ADA
Orange County, FL
Planning and implementation for pedestrian safety and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance enhances the livability, quality of life, and equity of communities. Orange County’s Transportation Planning Division and Public Works Department successfully developed and implemented comprehensive Orange County Code/Land Development Code amendments to enhance pedestrian safety and meet ADA needs in site development, streets, and sidewalks in Orange County. This project integrated policies and recommendations from the County’s Comprehensive Plan, Sustainability Plan, Walk-Ride-Thrive! pedestrian safety program, and federally-required ADA Self-Evaluation/Transition Plan for public rights-of-way to adopt standards that improve the County’s site development, transportation facilities, safety, and accessibility.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Comprehensive Plan-Large Jurisdiction
One Water Chapter
Hillsborough County, FL
Located in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, Unincorporated Hillsborough County exceeded 1 million residents for the first time ever in 2020. The Hillsborough County One Water Chapter elevates the role of water in comprehensive plans in an innovative approach, process, and form. Rather than individual Elements, One Water recognizes the interrelated nature of water and takes a holistic approach to planning for potable water, wastewater, stormwater, and the natural environment. The Chapter contains implementable policy direction at the forefront of water resources planning – from green infrastructure to integrated water resources management. Developed jointly by planners and water resources technical experts, and extensive involvement and input from the public, One Water reflects that water is interrelated, and all water has value.
AWARD OF MERIT
Best Practices
Growth and Infrastructure Policy (Schools Element)
Montgomery County, MD
Can an adequate public facilities policy for schools infrastructure adapt to serve a county transitioning from greenfield to infill development and reflect the different demands and priorities that different growth patterns have on its infrastructure?
The schools element of the Growth and Infrastructure Policy of Montgomery County, MD uses a data-based approach to classify neighborhoods into three different Impact Areas based on the type of growth they are experiencing – Greenfield, Turnover, or Infill. The new policy breaks away from the one-size-fits-all approach of the greenfield era growth management and applies standards that are more appropriate for each Impact Area’s respective growth context.
AWARD OF MERIT
Small Area/Special Area Planning
Area Performance Planning-Implementation of Phase I
Spartanburg County, SC
Spartanburg County crafted and adopted ordinances that are capable of guiding development realistically and consistently for decades without the uncertainty caused by constant map amendments. By keeping their seven Project Goals in front of them through the entire process, they were rewarded for their perseverance with the simultaneous implementation of FIVE major regulatory remedies. All of this was accomplished with amazing and unique public engagement.
Spartanburg County Performance Zoning Ordinance
Spartanburg County Subdivision Regulations
AWARD OF MERIT
Comprehensive Plan-Large Jurisdiction
Wayne Onward
Wayne County, Ohio
Through a comprehensive planning process—called Wayne Onward—Wayne County, Ohio proactively addressed land use planning in light of the County’s changing rural and agricultural character. The process acknowledged that rural landscapes are changing and continue to evolve and embrace that complexity to plan for the future. It effectively engaged people in meaningful conversations and put forth specific recommendations for implementation that can help to realize the plan’s goals. For these reasons, Wayne Onward provides a strong foundation for future planning and related activities in the County and can be a model for other communities.
