:action plan for the future of California cities. League of California Cities. Coastal Zone Information Center (CZIC) [California:League of California Cities,1974] Environmental policy California. Land use California. tij - - 0 t.0 ul 0 -3 t1i < 00 w 0 S, 3 ON 0 :3 CD Din. C/) C/3 CD -n C@ rn cn 10 oil rn =0 rn rn @=o tq C-3 oo' C(D) @R 0 0 % STATE PLAN STATE COORDINATING COUNCIL POLLUTION HOLDING CAPACITY URBAN/NON URBAN AREAS OF CRITICAL STANDARDS POLICIES POLICIES STATE CONCERN AREA PLAN AREA PLAN AREA PLAN AREA COORDINATING AREA COORDINATING AREA COORDINATING COUNCIL COUNCIL COUNCIL PLANS PL@NS PLANS PLANS PLANS PLANS EcITY COUNTY CITY COUNTY CITY COUNTY 0 9 3 INTRODUCTION The League of California Cities is a most equitable revenue base to fi- policy committees. A draft of four Ele- non-partisan, non-profit corporation nance local government? These basic ments of the Action Plan, one for each owned, organized and operated by questions formed the starting point of subject area, was developed. It was the cities of this state. While member- a year-fong effort on the part of city then reviewed by all of the League ship is voluntary, all 411 California officials to determine the cities' re- Policy Committees, a special Commit- cities are members of the League. The sponse and at the same time create tee on Government Structure, and by League serves as a clearinghouse for policies which would guide cities in the Board of Directors. The Board for- information about cities; it responds the coming years. The policy state- mulated five adopting resolutions to thousands of administrative and le- ment which was a result of the effort which together with the specific Action gal inquiries; it sponsors conferences is called the Action Plan for the Future Plan proposals were submitted to and institutes, publishes reports, news- of California Cities. every city in the State for the Annual letters and bulletins and represents Four basic problem-issue areas were Conference. At the Annual Conference the cities before the State Legislature. identified to enable city officials to fo- in October, the Action Plan was con- League policy is determined by the cus their discussions and make con- sidered by the approximately 3,300 Board of Directors and by the General crete recommendations: conference delegates and was adopted Assembly of delegates at the Annual (1) Environmental control and land by the General Assembly. League Conference. use authority. The process of developing the Ac- In 1973, the League celebrated its (2) Social responsibility of cities. tion Plan involved hundreds of city 75th Diamond Anniversary. Rather (3) Public service employee rela- officials. The result of this year-long than devote the year to looking at past tions. effort is not only a statement by city achievements, cities took the oppor- (4) An adequate and equitable rev- officials about what cities should be tunity presented by this occasion to enue base. like and what cities should be doing in undertake a fundamental and compre- Each of the 9 Functional Depart- the next decade, but also a practical hensive evaluation of cities and the ments and each of the 13 Regional and realistic guide for immediate ac- role cities should play in the next two Divisions developed their own meth- tion at every level of government. it is decades. What will be the governmen- od for making recommendations on important to remember that the envir- tal needs of an urban population a de- the four areas of the Plan. Committees onmental quality and land use control cade from now? Which of these needs and study groups were formed; de- element is only one of the four ele- should be served by local government? bates, workshops, and seminars were ments because the strength of the Ac- What form should this local govern- held. All of the recommendations (over tion Plan, like the strength of cities, ment take? How can local government 250 pages) were reviewed at a two- depends upon its ability to address plan to meet both the physical and so- day retreat at Asilomar by city officials problems in a comprehensive rather cial needs of our citizens? What is the representing the League's standing than a fragmented fashion. *W"All 20 tAift 4 Of -4j leg" 'ch THE CHALLENGE tance of land use, the recent and rapid economically should be part of the environmental quality is a increase in the growth of the state's city. They cannot require new devel- critical state problem population has also contributed to an opm .e.nts to pay the full costs of city increased interest in land use regula- services. ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE tion. In 1930 the population of Cali- AREA: Presently there is no mech- The quality of our environment is a fornia was 5,700,000; in 1970 the pop- anism which can, in a comprehensive critical problem. Air, water and noise ulation was 19,950,000. Many small fashion, resolve problems which tran- pollution, loss of open space and the communities have doubled and tripled scend local boundaries but which do preservation of unique and important in size and have experienced both the not require uniform statewide solu- natural 'resources are crucial issues in advantages and disadvantages of rapid tions. Cars and freeways which have many California cities. growth and now wish to exercise more enabled people to commute to work Environmental quality problems control over future growth. over longer distances have also con- have increased people's interest in THE FUTURE: While the rate of tributed to the loss of open space and how land is used because many spe- growth in coming decades is uncer- increased pollution. These problems cific environmental problems are land tain, it is clear that growth and devel- and the transportation system which use problems (e.g., coastline protec- opment will continue to take place. exacerbates them cannot be solved by tion) and because there is an increas- Even with lower birth rates it is esti- local government alone and need not ing recognition of the relationship be- mated that California's population will be transferred to the state. tween land use and pollution prob- reach 27 million in the next twenty STATE: Presently state government lems. Thus, a new subdivision, freeway years. Higher incomes allowing more has no means of coordinating pollu- or shopping center attracts more peo- people to own automobiles, travel and tion control regulations with each ple with more cars and with present purchase larger homes and second other and with land use and transpor- technology, may increase air pollution. homes will result in more people us- tation decisions. No process exists Solutions to environmental prob- ing more land. The issue is not wheth- which allows the state to protect lands lems are important because they may er there will be development but what which are clearly of statewide impor- have significant effects upon eco- form this development will take. tance or to encourage the preserva- nomic development, housing, em- tion of productive resources. ployment, social services and transpor- THE NEED FOR CHANGE Finally, there is no means where tation. The new subdivision which LOCAL: Presently cities do not have decisions by local, area and state bod- may increase air pollution also creates the authority to regulate and control ies are integrated into one compre- jobs and provides housing. growth on their borders where sprawl hensive planning system which has GROWTH AND LAND USE and development of poor quality most the capacity to consider social and THE PAST: While environmental often occur. They cannot annex terri- economic as well as environmental problems have emphasized the impor- tories which politically, socially and policies. THE RESPONSE THE RESPONSE missions to regulate development FEDERAL: To date, government at alon g the coast until a state plan for all levels has responded in piecemeal the coast is prepared. fashion. Both federal and state gov- LOCAL: At the local level, many ernments have passed environmental cities are reassessing their long-range quality acts which require that the en- goals. Cities are revising their compre- vironmental effects of a project be hensive plans to accommodate lower considered by governmental bodies growth projections. They are attempt- before the project is approved. The ing to regulate growth in a more sys- government is unable to Environmental Protection Agency reg- tematic way both geographically and integrate environmental, ulations require review of certain according to time schedules. In addi- land use decisions in order to enforce tion, they are trying to relate propos- social and economic the Federal Clean Air Act. als for development to the city's abil- policies STATE: A number of states have ity to supply needed services. passed legislation which increases state participation in certain land use ACTION PLAN decisions. Florida has established a Yet none of this legislation enables process to preserve areas of critical government at all levels to integrate state concern. Wisconsin has acted to environmental, social and economic protect its shorelands, and Vermont policies. in order to manage change, has created a state land use plan and government must be able to plan established regional districts which comprehensively. The League's Action grant permits for development of 10 Plan creates an inter-governmental acres or more. In 1973, California vot- planning process to manage this ers passed an initiative which estab- change and establishes general poli- lished state and regional coastal com- cies to guide it. STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCEDURE prehensiveness of the planning pro- delineation. Within this framework, local planning control within cess, the Action Plan provides a focal cities and counties will create their a statewide framework point - the development and adop- own plans. Environmental impact re- tion of the plan - where citizens can ports would indicate the effect of the learn about and then influence the plans on the environment. Specific de- An efficient road system is compos- basic policies which affect them. A velopment proposals would be judged ed of city streets which join highways process must be established in which on the basis of their consistency to the which are important to an entire different interests can be heard and general Environmental Impact Report county which in turn join freeways which allows state, area and local bod- while the EIR which accompanies each which are important to the entire state. ies to plan together and consider the project would contain only the addi- Similarly, the successful management impact of all decisions on people. tional, specific information not found of our environment and use of our This process must reflect the fact in the general EIR, thus, eliminating land requires an integrated and com- that the vast majority of governmental unnecessary duplication and cost. prehensive planning process involving decisions involving land use do not These local plans will be sent to area- government at the local, area and state have a significant effect on people out- wide planning councils which will co- levels. This process does not exist now. side the boundary of a single local ordinate and resolve inconsistencies For example, the building of a state government. State government or area among city, county, district and state freeway or a regional transit system organizations should only be involved plans. An area plan will be created may affect the living patterns of thous- when important state or areawide which would be based on the local ands of people and make previously problems exist. If time consuming pro- plans and would accommodate area- worthless land valuable or previously cedures are created which require ac- wide needs. The area councils would valuable land worth very little. A local tion by regional and state agencies on transmit their plans to the State Coun- community may decide to develop and matters of only local significance, then cil which would coordinate and re- thereby change the character of an the cost of all development, including solve inconsistencies among areas. The area which citizens of the entire state housing, could be substantially in- State Council would then develop a consider unique, important and wor- creased. State Resources and Conservation and thy of preserving. The Action Plan establishes this kind Development Plan for submission to , Presently, it is almost impossible for of process. The state, with substantial the Legisl ature for adoption. The State citizens to be informed about and par- local contributions, would establish a Plan based on local plans would be ticipate in the number and variety of broad planning framework composed continually reviewed. It would reflect decisions made by the governmental of pollution standards, holding capa- the inextricable intertwining between bodies which influence their lives. By city policies, areas of state environ- the protection of the environment and increasing the importance and com- mental concern, and an urban-rural broad determinations of land use. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES State Coordinating Council ing the level of government which will NEED: In California, policies affect- implement many of the Council's deci- ing the environment and land use are sions, both at the local and area level, established by, in addition to the Leg- the level of government which has the islature and Governor, the Water Qual- most experience in land use planning ity Control Board, the Air Resources and the level of government which is Board, the Solid Waste Management closest to the people who are affected Board and the Transportation Board. by the Council's decisions. There is little policy coordination The Council would also be compos- create a state policy to among the state's environmentally or- ed of members of the public appointed establish iented regulatory programs. One body by the Legislature. This would give the should exist which can coordinate and Legislature a voice in the Council's * pollution standards establish a basic policy framework. proceedings and allow broad seg- COMPOSITION: To do this, the Ac- ments of the public to be represented. * areas of critical statewide tion Plan establishes a State Coordi- Finally, heads of the single-purpose concern nating Council. The Council should pollution control agencies would be have a broad-based membership re- members. This would give the Council * holding capacity policies flecting California's diversity because expertise in this area and enable it to its decisions will affect social and eco- coordinate the programs of the pollu- * urban and non-urban nomic as well as environmental and tion control agencies so that they are areas land use policies. Experts in air pollu- directed at meeting state standards. tion are not necessarily experts in bal- In order to support this policy-mak- ancing social against environmental ing body, a cabinet level director of needs. state planning, responsible directly to The Council should be chaired by the Council, would be created. The the Governor. Directors of relevant Council should have adequate staff state agencies would also sit on the and funding to accomplish its respon- Council to insure that the Council is sibilities. responsive to the Administration which is directly elected by all the people. Functions: Establishing a State Policy City and county officials from Area Framework Coordinating Councils will sit on the 1. Pollution Standards. Pollution Council as elected officials represent- does hot respect political boundaries. Problem Air which has been polluted quality standards. More open space designated areas and local govern- in Los Angeles is breathed by would be needed. ment would then implement and en- people in Riverside and Palm Springs The Council, based on local and force these principles. many miles away. Water which is pol- areawide desires and needs, would 4. Urban-Rural Designation. There luted at the source of a river cannot be Solution develop appropriate compre- is a need to contain development used by people at its mouth. Thus, hensive area holding capa- Problem within urban areas. The utili- pollution standards must be set by a city policies for water quality, air pol- zation of existing undevelop- body whose authority, like the pollu- lution, solid waste and energy. These ed lands and the reutilization of lands tion it seeks to control, extends be- policies would more specifically relate previously developed within existing yond local political boundaries. the water quality, air, solid waste and city boundaries and within their sphere The State Council would protect energy standards to the capacity of of influence is a preferable alternative the natural environment by establish- large areas to accommodate a given to the development of additional lands Solution ing comprehensive pollution number of people without exceeding beyond present boundaries. Sprawl standards which would guide environmental standards. and leapfrog development which oc- land use decisions. Certain air and 3. Areas of Critical Statewide Con- curs because less expensive land far water standards are already establish- cern. Some areas of the state are im- from urban areas and urban services is ed by the federal government. The Problem portant to everyone in Cali- prematurely developed should be dis- State Council would have a direct fornia because the areas are couraged. voice in ' the establishment of state fragile or unique or because of their The Council would develop a standards and in the creation of reg- aesthetic quality. The Legislature in statewide policy indicating in the ulations and plans implementing the creating the Bay Conservation and De- Solution broadest terms which por- standards. velopment Commission and the peo- tions of the state should be 2. Holding Capacity. Attempts ple in passing the Coastal Zone Con- urban and which are non-urban, or to enhance the quality of our envir- servation Act in 1973 designated the which areas should be developed and Problem onment by establishing pol- San Francisco Bay and the coastal zone which should remain undeveloped. lution standards, rationally as areas whose protection and devel- In addition to directing growth, regulating growth or providing open opment were of statewide interest. this policy would help preserve areas space are only effective if they are re- The State Council would identi- such as agricultural and forest lands lated to the numbers of people who fy and preserve non-urban areas of which would not be designated areas are expected to live in an area. A large Solution critical statewide concern. of critical statewide concern for the population increase might mean that Principles would be estab- indefinite future but which because of a new sewage treatment plant was lished which would govern develop- their value as a resource should not be necessary in order to meet water ment and other activities within the lost to poorly planned development. LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES ban sprawl and the lack of open space expensive because the development is and to provide needed services unless far from existing facilities. they have the authority and tools to do Development outside the city may cities must be given the so. More local control not less is need- affect the.value and use of a piece of ed if urban communities are to solve property which is near or adjacent to tools to control the problems which are local. it but which is within the city. In addi- development of urban Authority to Regulate Land Within tion, inhabitants of urban unincorpor- communities Spheres of Influence ated areas often use city parks, librar- ies and streets and receive police and If planning in our urban communities fire protection without paying the full is to be effective and if the inhabitants costs of these services. All of this re- of these communities are to be able to sults in the very character and size of exercise control over the future of their an urban community being deter- Land Use Control in Urban Areas communities, then the planning regu- mined by forces beyond the control of Various proposals have suggested lations must include all those who the city around which the urban com- that the solution to present harmful constitute the urban community. munity forms and without which it land use practices is to shift regulatory Presently much development occurs could not take place. responsibility to a different level of just outside of a city's boundaries and The Action Plan gives to the citizens government, either regional or state. therefore beyond its authority to reg- of the urban community the tools to Shifting responsibility to a different ulate. To avoid city restrictions and to plan and influence their future. All ur- level of government or creating a new find land at lower prices, developers ban areas of the state should be either level only changes the institution often develop land in isolated loca- within the boundaries of a city or plac- which must attempt to find solutions tions in the urban fringe beyond the ed under a city's sphere of influence. to the underlying problems which con- areas of most logical development. A sphere of influence is a plan for the tinue to exist. Once in existence, this development probable ultimate physical boundaries If the identity and uniqueness of determines the kinds of uses which and service area of a local government. communities are to be maintained and will be made of surrounding land, thus, A city's authority and responsibility for if citizens of those communities are to depriving the city of the opportunity comprehensive planning and regula- continue to be able to determine that to plan not only the development but tion within the spheres of influence identity, local government must be giv- the entire area. Schools and roads are should be significantly increased. Thus, en the authority to control the devel- often inadequate to serve the increas- because cities will exercise authority opment of their communities. They ed population and other services, such over both developed and developing cannot be expected to cope with ur- as water and sewer can be abnormally land, citizens of a city will be able to AREA RESPONSIBILITIES The Action Plan proposes that Area and housing and between land Coordinating Councils be created to use, transportation and clean air assume these areawide responsibili- can be discussed. ties. Its authority and jurisdiction COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL: would be limited to only those prob- The governing body of the Area Coor- environmental problems lems which cannot be solved at the dinating Council should consist pri- transcend local government local level. marily of city and county elected offi- boundaries Area Coordinating Councils are cials. It should represent at least 50% needed because certain prob- of the cities representing at least 50% lems, such as pollution control, of the municipal population in the and needs, such as transporta- area and 50% of the counties. tion, are so large that local gov- Local officials are elected and ac- ernments acting individually countable to the people. They have cannot solve them. expertise in the problems the Area They. are needed to- coordinate Coordinating Council will be consid- City councils, no matter how dedi- the activities of existing single- ering, and they, better than anyone cated, do not have the ability to give purpose agencies such as air pol- else, are aware of which problems they their citizens clean air, clean water, lution control districts. cannot solve as local officials. In addi- open space, decent public transporta- Area Coordinating Councils are tion, any possible resolution of area- tion or a place to dispose of solid needed to provide a forum wide problems will depend upon the waste because these problems trans- where local officials can repre- cooperation of local governments and cend local government boundaries. To sent their constituents during the local officials to build the support date the solution to areawide prob- resolution of areawide problems needed to achieve i nter-govern mental lems has been the creation of regional such as the placement of a trans- cooperation. Unlike members of a single-purpose bodies. We have sin- portation corridor. council composed entirely of directly gle-purpose regional districts provid- Finally, Area Coordinating Coun- elected officials, local government offi- ing water, transportation, air pollution cils are needed because social cials will not appear as alien represen- control, water quality control, parks, and economic conditions are tatives of some new layer of govern- control of bay fill, health planning and also areawide. An institution is ment. Finally, local officials by parti- regional planning. We have regional needed where the relationships cipating in areawide deliberations will planning and regulation. We need co- between transportation and un- become more responsive to areawide ordinated areawide planning. employment, between land use problems. 'T" 71, Aft --t4 city should have the authority to with- ices. The entire i nter-govern mental authority would be enabling and draw that territory from the service planning process depends upon the would be exercised by the city council. area of special districts, If a city is to be ability of cities to plan and regulate Authority to Require Dedication of able to regulate the rate and direction land use and urban development with- Public Facility Sites of development, it must have the abil- in the city and its sphere or influence. Rapid growth has often prevented ity to control the delivery of urban just as these communities need to be cities from continuing to provide an services. able to plan and regulate the land adequate level of public services. Citi- ACROSS COUNTY BOUNDARIES: In contiguous to their boundaries if the zens in many communities have cast a addition to the authority to annex plan is to reflect reality, so must the wary eye on proposals for new devel- within its sphere of influence, cities ability to plan and regulate extend to opment unless certain that increased should have the authority to annex county and state owned lands within growth would not overload existing across county boundaries with the ap- their borders. Thus, cities should be public services. The citizens of San proval of the LAFCOs in each county. able to plan for and regulate all new Jose have passed an initiative which Urban growth does not respect county development both public and private. prohibits zoning for new development boundaries. Growth which is gener- Regulation would be consistent with unless it is demonstrated that school ated by business in a city often occurs the local plan which would reflect as a facilities will not become overcrowd- on the periphery of the city and ex- result of the planning process both ed. To ensure that school, fire, police pands from it. This growth is linked area and statewide needs. and other public facilities are adequate politically, socially and economically to serve the demands imposed by new to the city, yet if it crosses county Authority to Acquire Open Space by growth and to make certain that new boundaries, it cannot become part of Condemnation development is paying a fair share of the city. The city should be able to However we use our land in the fu- the cost of these facilities and increas- control all development on its borders. ture, it is certain that open space will ed services such as water, garbage, and become both more rare and valuable. sewage, cities should have the author- Authority to Regulate All Public Development If we distribute growth more efficiently ity to require developers to dedicate While local government has author- and preserve land on urban borders, all public facility sites necessary to ity to control private development, the need for open space within the ur- serve the development. it has almost no voice in public ban areas will increase as the popula- In addition, cities should have ex- development by federal and state tion becomes more concentrated. So panded authority to impose taxes or agencies and special districts. This that we may be certain this needed fees'-on developments, including a real public development often determines open space will be available, cities estate transfer tax and a construction the basic land use patterns to which should have the authority to acquire tax, to fund needed public improve- local government must adopt its serv- open space by condemnation. This ments and services. plan and implement a plan for an en- use, undeveloped land near ur- 4. Any land the annexation of tire urban community. ban areas which potentially which is determined by the city Cities will need specific planning could be developed is heavily council to be desirable or nec- tools to implement this general policy. taxed. High taxes make holding essary by reason of detrimental - Cities should have the authority the land in an undeveloped state land use or environmental situ- to zone outside their boundaries uneconomical and increases the ations. but within their sphere of influ- pressure to develop the land. These annexations would be subject ence. Without the power to Taxation policies should support to procedural requirements but would zone, cities will be influenced by not subvert land use planning not require an election in the area to but have little influence over de- policies. If we designate certain be annexed. The goal of the uniform velopment on their borders. areas as non urban 'we need not annexation law would be to have the tax those lands for their devel- boundaries of the urban community - Cities should have the authority oped potential. reflect as nearly as possible the politi- and responsibility to prohibit the cal, social and economic realities of the delivery of public services, Annexation Reform that community. such as water and sewage, to a California's annexation laws present- This authority to annex within its proposed development which is ly encourage fragmentation and irra- sphere of influence would give a city within a sphere of influence but tional urban boundaries by hindering the ability to bring within its boundar- which is not approved in the rather than supporting the annexation ies an area which is developing and city's plan. Thus, development in of areas which are part of an urban because of its proximity should be part the sphere of influence would community. This impedes comprehen- of the city. have to be consistent with the sive planning. Cities should annex developed (ur- city's plan. WITHIN SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: A banized) areas in its sphere of influ- - Cities should also have the auth- uniform annexation law should be ence if the Local Agency Formation ority to impose an "availability" adopted which would authorize cities Commission (LAFCO) determines that or "standby" tax for urban serv- to annex the following types of land the annexation is proper. Logical boun- ices available to land within a which lie within their sphere of in- daries will include areas which may city's sphere of influence. fluence. produce more problems than tax rev- - As a corollary, cities or counties 1. Any land which is developed. enue, but if they are economically, should be able to exempt plan- 2. Any land which is developing. socially, and politically identified with ned rural areas from urban taxes. 3. Any unincorporated island up to a city they should be part of it. Since land is presently taxed ac- 250 acres regardless of whether Once an area within a city's sphere cording to its highest and best developed or not. of influence has been annexed, the AREA PLAN The Area Coordinating Council the Area Council would have the auth- would establish and maintain area ority to resolve this conflict. plans and policies which would be The Area Council would then relate based upon city and county plans. This the city and county plans to the state would be accomplished in the follow- environmental standards. If the plans ing manner. Cities and counties would were found to be inconsistent with the develop their own plans which would standards, the Council would have the be consistent with state pollution stan- authority to resolve them. The Area establish area plans and dards and environmental guidelines. Council would also coordinate and re- policies based on city and The plans would be submitted to the solve inconsistencies among pollution county plans Area Coordinating Council. standards as those standards are ap- The Area Council would coordinate plied to a given geographical area. For and resolve the inconsistencies among example, if a water quality standard city and county plans and between would permit unlimited development plans and programs of state agencies in an area but this development would and special districts. Thus, if a city cause air quality standards to be ex- planned a park or a school next to an ceeded, then the Area Council would area which an adjoining city planned have the authority to resolve this in- for industrial development and these consistency. uses were incompatible, the Area The Area Council in developing an Council would have the authority to area plan would have the responsibi- resolve this inconsistency in whatever lity of insuring that areawide needs way best suited the needs of both are met. For the first time one body could look at the plans for each agen- communities. Or, for example, if a cy with jurisdiction in the area and de- regional transportation agency pro- termine which programs or aspects of posed a major transportation corridor a plan are inconsistent.or work against through an area which cities and coun- each other and reconcile those con- ties wished to preserve as open space, flicts, STATE PLAN The planning process would con- tinue at the state level. The state would compile a comprehensive resources conservation and development plan for California based upon the area plans which would be submitted to the Legislature for its approval. just as the areawide plans would reflect only the policies and decisions which are of compile a comprehensive concern to the entire area, the state A. 4- resources, conservation and plan would indicate only the policies development plan based and areas which are of statewide in- terest. As a participant in the planning on area plans process, the State Coordinating Coun- cil would at the state level perform a role similar to that of the Area Coor- W_ dinating Council at the area level. It would reconcile inconsistencies be- rw tween the area plans, and resolve in- consistencies between the plans and the state environmental standards, the areas of critical state concern and the policy delineating urban and non- urban portions of the state. It would also reconcile and coordinate differ- ences between area plans, and city and county plans in areas where area planning organizations do not exist. The key to its success would be its ability to concentrate on issues which are of statewide importance. The State Coordinating Council would period- ically revise and update the state plan to meet changing conditions. COORDINATING STATE ACTIVITIES In addition to developing a State control agencies. Since access to jobs Plan, the State Coordinating Council is an important factor in reducing un- - would perform a crucial role in co- employment, state programs in hous- coordinate state agency ordinating the programs and activities ing should be coordinated with the of state agencies. Too often activities state transportation program. In short, planning undertaken by one state agency con- the Council would continually review flict with or are undertaken without the programs and activities of various knowledge of programs of another state agencies and ensure that these agency. State energy programs should programs and activities implement ra- be coordinated with state transporta- ther than frustrate state policies. The tion programs and both should be con- Council would provide a forum where sistent with programs of state pollution these inconsistencies can be resolved. PROVIDING DATA AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Good local, area or state planning viding data and technical assistance and the establishment of a process to local governments and Area Coor- which relates land use decisions to dinating Councils. This is necessary support local government pollution standards depends upon the because some local governments do planning availability of adequate data and tech- not have the staff or resources to ac- nical assistance to all those participa- cumulate all the needed information ting in the planning process. There- and because duplication of efforts to fore, the State Coordinating Council obtain data or employ personnel is would have the responsibility of pro- simply wasteful. CONCLUSION The major goal of the planning pro- pose bodies to respond to current cess created by the Action Plan is to crises, both the planning process and improve the quality of life in Califor- governmental structure are based up- nia. To accomplish this, the League's on general purpose government. Action Plan establishes a comprehen- It is the hope of city officials that sive planning process which enables the policies proposed by the Action local, area and state officials to inte- Plan will be considered and acted up- grate social, economic and environ- on as a whole. Legislation at the local, mental policies. As one means of im- state and federal levels is continually plementing this comprehensive ap- introduced to solve individual land an action plan for california proach, the Social Responsibilities El- use and environmental problems. citizens through better city ement of the Action Plan urges all However, it should now be clear that government cities to adopt a Social Services Ele- this piecemeal approach is neither ment to their general plan. The Action conceptually valid nor practical. We Plan also creates a governmental struc- are beginning to understand that our ture which obligates state officials to actions, whether they be to advance respect local desires as expressed in social, economic or environmental local plans and which requires that goals, cannot be isolated and that how local plans reflect concerns and needs we use our land affects our environ- which are of area or statewide signi- ment, how we travel, where we live ficance. and work and who we live and,work It is important that both the plan- with. Therefore, to understand and ning process and governmental struc- plan for the changes that will occur, ture are sufficiently flexible to respond we must design one comprehensive to not only the immediate crisis and concerns of today, but also the basic planning system which can include problems as seen by the next gener- plans and decisions made at every ation. In the Action Plan, flexibility level of government and which has and responsiveness are guaranteed the capacity and authority to respond because rather than create single-pur- to the total needs of our society. v DISTRIBUTED BY THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES - OCTOBER 1974 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES OFFICERS FOR 1974 PRESIDENT, HAROLD HAYES, MAYOR, MONTCLAIR I ST VICE PRESIDENT, LEE DAVIS, MAYOR, MODESTO 2ND VICE PRESIDENT, PETER WILSON, MAYOR, SAN DIEGO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DON BENNINGHOVEN THE LEAGUE ACTION PLAN CONSISTS OF FOUR MAJOR ELEMENTS: 1. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND LAND USE AUTHORITY 2. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIES 3. PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS 4. AN ADEQUATE AND EQUITABLE REVENUE BASE FOR CITIES 316668 00002 1222