Item 3. Travis County's Land, Water, Transportation Plan progress update — original pdf
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Austin Travis County Food Policy Board TRANSPORTATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES Melissa Zone, Senior Planner February 2023 TNRWeb@traviscountytx.gov 1 Travis County Authority The court will exercise powers over county business as provided by law (Texas Constitution Art. V, Sec. 18) Chapter 81, Local Government Code, sets out the responsibilities and powers (Texas Statutes) Although Counties have been delegated certain powers by the state, they remain under full state control Counties perform governmental functions on behalf of the state but lack independent authority that municipalities possess 2 What is the LWTP? 3 History of the LWTP ★ Land, Water, & Transportation Plan (LWTP), the County’s first comprehensive plan adopted by the Court in December 2014 ★ Framework for enacting policies and capital improvement programs in the unincorporated areas of the County ★ Guides legislative agenda ★ Informs annual budgets and work plans 4 Conservation Priorities Rapid development threatens ecologically and culturally rich land Endangered Species Habitats Natural Springs Prime Farmland Floodplain 5 Development Incentives Focus of transportation investments to support new developments Activity Centers Compact, mixed-use developments with multi-modal transportation options Transportation Corridors Streets that connect Activity Centers and support multiple transportation modes 6 7 TNR’s Responsibilities ★ Provides safe infrastructure on County right-of-way ★ Implements standards for subdivision, traffic safety, and drainage projects ★ Provides emergency support during extreme weather events ★ Provides long-range planning service in the development and implementation of land and transportation development 9 TNR’s Responsibilities (Cont.) ★ Provides outdoor recreational & educational programs ★ Preserves natural, historical, & cultural resources ★ Implements programs to protect surface & groundwater resources ★ Implements sustainability & resiliency programs 10 Uses of Updated LWTP ★ Guides collaborative planning with County departments & municipalities ★ Guides capital improvement priorities ★ Guides growth-related policies ★ Guides where development and conservation interests need consideration ★ Guides partnerships with stakeholders ★ Guides public/private partnerships ★ Guides where to protect area-wide water quality and supplies 11 LWTP Audience Government Officials ★ Guides decision making ★ Supports state & federal grant applications Who benefits from the LWTP? ★ Explains foundation of long- The Public term County goals ★ Provides policy basis for Commissioners Court actions Civic Organizations & Developers ★ Basis for County’s priorities ★ Guidance on sustainability, resiliency, stormwater & air quality resources 12 How to Stay Intouch Follow Us on Facebook 13 Discussion and Questions Ideas on how the LWTP can support a healthy, local food system in unincorporated Travis County? 14