Goal:  Promote managed growth and development, with an emphasis on protection of farm and forestlands and open space.

Objective 1: 

Sponsor at least 3 information/awareness events throughout the Area related to growth and development.

Timeframe: Within the next four years

• Strategy 1:  Work with partners to identify appropriate events to co-sponsor and hold in the RC&D Area.

Objective 2: 

Explore if there is an appropriate niche/role for the Shenandoah RC&D Council to play in affordable housing.

Timeframe:  Within the next five years

• Strategy 1:  Make contact with organizations such as social service agencies, realtors, and home builders associations to determine gap between supply and demand for affordable housing and discuss potential roles RC&D can play.

Objective 3: 

Identify an appropriate niche/role to play for RC&D Council concerning transportation and land use, roadways, mass transit, and related transportation opportunities.

Timeframe: Within the next three years

• Strategy 1:  Make contact with organizations to determine potential roles RC&D can play to fill in gaps related to transportation and land use.

Objective 4: 

Continue to implement community financing strategies for land and water protection.

Timeframe: Complete by 2008

• Strategy 1: Develop and implement Leadership Dialogue Program.

• Strategy 2: Convene Charrette Outreach Teams.

• Strategy 3: Develop and implement Financing Charrettes.

• Strategy 4: Sponsor and hold Implementation Workshops

Objective 5: 

Promote Low Impact Development (LID) and compatible economic development.

Timeframe: Within the next four years

• Strategy 1: Meet with city and county planning/zoning officials to identify existing LID requirements and practices.

• Strategy 2: Develop an action plan to promote more extensive LID policies and practices.

Objective 6: 

Support Virginia’s initiative to preserve 400,000 additional acres of rural land by 2010.

Timeframe: Within the next four years

Strategy 1: Work with the Virginia Association of RC&D Councils to promote conservation easements, agricultural forestal districts, and purchase of development rights education and outreach efforts in an attempt to reach this goal.