Second Annual Smart Growth Summit
Remarks by Senator Allen Kukovich
As Prepared For Delivery
Thank You.
They say a lot can happen in a year.
When we think back to being in this room for the 1st Annual Smart Growth Summit, last year, we were as an organization a month or two old.
I think some of us were filled with optimism and probably also a bit of uneasiness. We knew last year that the concept was a good one, but we weren’t sure how it would be received, and by what measure we could define success.
Our mission, however, was clear: to make our communities more livable and more economically prosperous. Two goals that seemed no longer mutually exclusive.
Our bright, young Executive Director—Alex Graziani—had a task before him that was not envied by many—and I might add at a time that his wife was pregnant with their fourth child.
We met in this room a year ago and set our sights high and thankfully, I think we were right in doing so.
Today, instead of uneasiness, we are filled with confidence in the power of this idea and the path that has been forged.
Our partnership has blossomed and in every corner of Westmoreland County you can find interested citizens and organizations who are excited at the chance to work with the Smart Growth Partnership. They are excited to have a voice in how their communities will look in 5 or 10 years.
Three extraordinary staff members, Jenn, Anita and Carolyn, have joined Alex and they bring not only technical expertise, but also increased credibility and a renewed sense of optimism.
And to take the idea of partnership to a new level, I might add that one of our newest staff members—Anita Nichols—is paid by both the University of Pittsburgh—which houses this partnership---and by the Penn State Cooperative Extension. This probably makes her the only Pitt-Penn State employee in the Commonwealth—and we should recognize her for that!
The success over the past year is due to the participation of so many—including you—because your involvement helps to bring about the meaningful change that underlines the Smart Growth Partnership.
The success is also due to the work of the members of the office of the chair and the steering committee. We are fortunate to have such a diverse group working together and surprisingly with so many voices and agendas in the same room—it has not lead to chaos or confusion—but instead a real mutual respect and admiration for our shared vision.
There are two however who drive this organization and have helped shape it during this critical year.
First, the president of this fine institution—a community leader---Dr. Frank Cassell.
And the public face of Smart Growth—a diligent and untiring worker for this partnership—our Executive Director---Alex Graziani.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that our founding financial partners, Jack Robertshaw and Linda Boxx, have been joined by others in offering support to the Smart Growth Partnership.
They include the Mary Hillman Jennings foundation, the RK Mellon foundation, the Sarah Scaife foundation, and finally Allegheny Power. We are thankful to them for their support.
So, indeed, we have a lot to be excited about as the Smart Growth Partnership celebrates its first birthday and we come together for this important 2nd annual meeting.
This past year has been about building a strong foundation and laying the groundwork for the continued operations of an efficient and sustainable organization.
Now, the task before us is to look ahead—much like the mission of this organization is to be looking forward---we must remain focused on our goals and our challenges.
The years ahead will be about fine tuning the vision we all have for this region, and making this vision a reality.
A key component of making this happen is the development of a county comprehensive plan. I would like to thank our partners at the county, specifically Larry Larese and Bill Mitchell, for beginning this process last year.
The comprehensive plan will serve as both a guide keeping us on track, and a toolbox full of ideas.
With this plan, our county will reap the benefits of continued economic growth. With this plan, we will be able to sustain this growth. And with this plan, we will build better communities and a better quality of life for our children.
The plan will also help us make the economic argument that we can have both growth and sustainability.
As we go forward, I am hopeful that the Smart Growth Partnership can bust the myths that have held us back.
For example, the myth that you can’t grow economically and protect the environment at the same time.
The myth that municipalities can only increase their tax base by increasing development.
The Smart Growth Partnership can show our local government leaders the cost-benefit analysis of development and prove that protecting open space and farmland will actually save them money.
With the comprehensive plan, we can target our growth areas, and preserve tracts for open space and recreation.
If the findings of the last census are any indication, our economic gameplan SHOULD be as targeted as possible. Of the “Top 50” growing municipalities in the state, 48 are on the other side of Harrisburg.
What they have taught us in those counties is that you can improve your quality of life while increasing your economic base.
In Montgomery County, for example, farmers and landowners face tremendous pressure to sell scarce tracts of land. With the highest per-capita income in the state, this county can afford to make certain investments—but be assured that they have not cashed in on every opportunity for growth ---instead they have worked with their local governments to improve their quality of life.
They took two important steps at the local level which I would like to mention briefly:
1) Responding to the fact that 91,000 acres of farmland had been developed over the past two decades, the Montgomery County Commissioners floated a bond in 1993 to provide $100 million for open space planning and acquisition.
The second point is critical and points to the challenge faced by county governments.
2) Each one of their 62 local governments have since that time prepared and adopted open space plans.
The comprehensive plan, therefore, in Westmoreland County, is little more than an interesting document if we fail to work with our communities and local governments to implement it
The leaders at the local government level are, in fact, the ones with the most at stake. Every community wants continued economic growth and new jobs. Every town wants to build a stronger tax base and provide better services for its residents. Their goals and our goals are clearly the same.
If we are serious about conservation based development, and the exciting possibilities of traditional neighborhood developments, then this plan will help us develop a framework to make these things possible right here in Westmoreland County.
And while this is happening, we at the state level must do more.
As you know, the Legislature passed Acts 67 and 68 in 2000. These new laws take the first-step to put land-use planning back on the drawing board in Pennsylvania.
These laws encourage local governments to work together and reduce the negative ripple effects of unplanned growth. We hope that this legislation encourages and invites collaboration among our local governments.
This legislation was an important first step, but we need to do more in Harrisburg. As we go forward, our next job in state government is to ensure that the policies and programs administered by our state agencies promote Smart Growth principles.
In four months a new Administration will take over.
The important task before the next Administration will be to develop a Smart Growth criteria for each state agency and department and develop ways to ensure that state dollars don’t work at cross purposes with the goals of Smart Growth.
Whether its ensuring that PennVEST dollars focus on our older communities with their crumbling infrastructure, or targeting DCED and DEP funds toward projects inline with local priorities, there are dozens of examples where the state can promote Smart Growth and work in unison with partnerships—such as ours—all across Pennsylvania.
Not only does this make logical sense, but most are beginning to realize that this makes economic sense.
It makes sense because our children will have choices—far more than we did—about where they want to go to school, and where they want to reside and raise their families. They will be attracted to those areas that provide recreational, cultural and economic opportunities.
It also makes economic sense because we will end up saving the taxpayers thousands, if not millions, of dollars by having better planned and more efficient communities in which to live.
And we don’t have to look too far to see good models of growth.
Many of you are probably familiar with the slag heap known as Nine Mile Run that sits above the Parkway before you enter the Squirrel Hill Tunnels.
On those thousand acres will soon stand more than 900 homes in a completely new neighborhood filled with stores and parks, and a true sense of community living. And, by the way, the developer is getting much more for the homes than they ever anticipated — and there’s a waiting list a mile long for young families who want to raise their children there
Here in Westmoreland we have similar opportunities and we face the same challenges.
What we have that no other county has, however, is a public-private partnership with a talented staff and a host of regional leaders who are committed to bringing about meaningful change.
Now, of course, this is always easier to accomplish when the will of the people is on our side. I would suggest that most people in our region, and across Pennsylvania, are beginning to realize that they can have both a growing economy and an aesthetically pleasing environment.
It’s not surprising that a recent national poll found that 85% of the respondents believed an increase in coordinated efforts among towns to plan for growth was something they strongly support.
I think 10 years ago -- even 5 years ago -- we would have been surprised by these numbers. Not today. Attitudes are changing.
The Smart Growth partnership is fortunate to be on the cutting edge.
With your help, we can shape a vision that makes our goals possible, and together we will all benefit from the results.
Thank You.
