Roanoke River Group
of the Virginia Chapter

Roanoke River Group Policy
on Sprawl and Urban Development

Excessive or inappropriate development can be damaging to the natural and human environment in many ways:

• Development of areas in and around cities and highways often destroys natural areas that are valuable both as habitat for native plants and animals and as desirable scenic and recreational resources.
• "Leap frog" development or "sprawl" contributes to air pollution as driving distances to work places and services are increased, creates fragmented communities, and results in inefficient use of municipal infrastructure
• Improperly constructed developments can result in soil erosion and water pollution.
• Unplanned or ill-conceived development can degrade the quality of life for local residents.

The Sierra Club has long recognized these issues and has set forth many statements of national conservation policy regarding growth, development and urban sprawl. The Sierra Club believes that development can be managed in ways that avoid or minimize the destruction of natural and scenic areas, that avoid the exacerbation of air and water pollution or even contribute to the improvement of air and water quality, and that enhance the quality of life of residents by making cities more livable and attractive.

Conservation of Open Space and Natural Areas -- Hillsides, ridge tops, forests, riparian areas, wetlands, other natural areas, and agricultural lands should be preserved and protected from development by any lawful means, including but not limited to the use of zoning ordinances, control of municipal services, reduction or avoidance of highway construction, and economic incentives for preservation or disincentives for development.

Appropriate Location for Developments -- New development should be located on unused or under-used land within the areas already served with streets, water, sewer and other public services, but excluding parks, park-like lands, agricultural lands, and sensitive or hazardous areas.

Protection and Enhancement of the Quality of Life for Residents -- Where development is undertaken, it should conform to standards that protect and enhance the environment and quality of life for residents, including the following:

• Avoiding the worsening of environmental problems such as air and water pollution, soil erosion, and excessive noise.
• Setting aside abundant and convenient public open spaces, including parks, playgrounds and natural areas.
• Preserving architectural and cultural heritage.
• Preserving and revitalizing urban neighborhoods.
• Protecting residents from unreasonable economic and physical disruption.
• Rehabilitating housing and community facilities.
• Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace environment.
• Encouraging pedestrian traffic and public transit use.
• Establishing attractive, compact and efficient mixed-use urban areas.
• Improving transit systems, including operating and capital subsidies where necessary to maintain reasonable fares and safe, frequent service.
• Not degrading, and where appropriate, complementing, our region's most important natural assets, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail, other trails and greenways, rivers, ridge- and mountain- views, prime farmlands, and other scenic, ecological, rural, and recreational areas.

Environmentally Sound Development -- Developments should conform to all federal, state, and local environmental standards and regulations. They should be comprised of buildings and landscaping that are material- and energy-efficient and that make efficient use of water resources.

Toxic and Hazardous Materials -- With respect to any developments that involve the use of toxic or hazardous materials, governments should ensure that public health and the environment are fully protected from any releases to air, water or land during manufacture, use, storage, transport or disposal of such material and that there is full public disclosure of the uses, emissions, and potential effects of all hazardous and toxic materials.

Visual Pollution -- Governments should regulate the location, size and character of advertising signs; encourage or require screening or removal of nuisance sights; and provide for the placement of utilities underground.