Survey Raffle Winners
Sarah and Scott were randomly selected from the respondents to our Development Entitlements and Distressed Subdivisions Survey.
Sarah More, FAICP is the Director of Planning and Building for the Town of Sahuarita, Arizona.
Read more about Sarah's planning approach.
Scott Clark, is the Director of Kootenai County Community Development in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Read more about Scott's experience with excess development entitlements.
Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy*
Orton Family Foundation*
George B. Storer Foundation
1% for the Tetons
Huntsman Springs
Partners
Valley Advocates for Responsible Development
University of Utah, Metropolitan Research Center
Teton County, Idaho
Teton Regional Land Trust
Friends of the Teton River
Land Equity Partners
Trout Unlimited
* Organization is both a sponsor and partner
Resources
Click here for project resources including publications, presentations, and media stories.
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Reshaping Development Patterns
Addressing Excess Development Entitlements
Population growth and development, as well as distressed subdivisions and development entitlements are impacting quality of life, sustainability, and ecosystem health throughout the Intermountain West. The recent economic downturn left many subdivisions in a distressed state: partially completed or deteriorating improvements; expired development assurances; few, if any, residents; fractured ownership; and other challenges. As the development economy recovers, local communities, developers, and lenders have the opportunity and the need to address these problems and facilitate recovery to meet future housing demand. Embracing this opportunity allows communities to address these past impacts, better anticipate and prepare for future growth, and improve property values.
Western Lands and Communities began the Reshaping Development Patterns program in 2009 to develop incentives and best practices for reshaping unsustainable development and entitlement patterns in the West. The policy focus report, Addressing Excess Development Entitlements: Lessons from the West on Distressed, Zombie and Pre-Mature Subdivsions, due out in mid-2013, is a product of early partnership with Teton County, Idaho's Valley Advocates for Responsible Development (VARD), and work with local jurisdictions in Arizona as well as with communities and experts throughout the west. The report illustrates the best practices and lessons learned by the studied communities.To provide a comprehensive look at the issue, the report will include the following chapters:
- Introduction and Significance of Entitlements
- Legal and Planning Framework
- Perspectives and Challenges
- Policy Options and Recommendations
- Policy Implementation – Roadmap to Best Practices
This webpage will serve as a companion to the policy focus report, featuring best practices, additional resources, and background materials. Please return to download the report, available by mid-2013.
Best Practices
Best Practices for Addressing Excess Development Entitlements |
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| City of Maricopa, Arizona | Link available soon |
| Jefferson County, Colorado | Link available soon |
| Mesa County, Colorado | Link available soon |
| Emmett, Idaho | Link available soon |
| Teton County, Idaho | Link available soon |
Resources
Click here to view project and report resources including publications, presentations, and media articles.



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