October 14, 2009
To: City Commission
CC: City Planning Staff
From: Sustainability Advisory Board
Re: Northeast Sector Plan and Consideration for Capability Class 1 and 2 Soils in Future Land Use Planning
Mayor Chestnut, Vice-Amyx, and Commissioners Dever, Johnson and Cromwell,
The Sustainability Advisory Board is charged with advising the City Commission on sustainable endeavors and opportunities within the City of Lawrence, including natural resource conservation.[1] To this end, the Sustainability Advisory Board supports the preservation of our most fertile agricultural land. We strongly encourage the City Commission to consider the value of Capability Class 1 and Class 2 soils in Douglas County when planning future land use for any area under consideration in the developing Northeast Sector Plan which is the largest, contiguous placement of these soils. We are concerned that a proposed tenant of the land has a history of inadequate environmental management and was fined by the Environmental Protection Agency for its actions.[2]
Soils of such quality are rare and, once lost, cannot be restored in our lifetimes. These resources offer a great opportunity for our local and regional food security and economy for future generations to come.
In its Policy Guide on Agricultural Land Preservation, the American Planning Association asserts, “agricultural productivity must be allowed to be a viable economic activity.”[3] The SAB encourages the City Commission to recognize the value in preserving these soils to profitably produce local food, increase food security and demonstrate our City’s articulated commitment to sustainability.
Sincerely,
Daniel Poull
Chair, Sustainability Advisory Board