On November 18, the Envision Central Texas Board of Directors elected Travis Froehlich to serve as chairman in 2010. Shown are outgoing ECT Chairman Jim Walker (left) and Travis Froehlich (right), chief strategy officer for the Seton Family of Hospitals. Travis has served on ECT's Board of Directors since 2005 and its Executive Committee since 2007.
 
Other ECT officers elected for 2010 include Immediate Past Chair Jim Walker, director of sustainability at the University of Texas at Austin; Secretary Frederick "Fritz" Steiner, dean of the UT School of Architecture;Treasurer Tom Yantis, vice president and municipal planning lead at BWR Corporation; and, Vice President-Private Sector Ward Tisdale, manager of U.S. community affairs at Advanced Micro Devices.
 
Individuals newly elected to the ECT Board of Directors include Nikelle Mead of Brown McCarroll L.L.P. ; Oscar Fogle, board member of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority; Joe Lessard, senior planning director at Knudson LP; and Carlos Lopez, district engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation, Austin District.

CAMPO 2035 Planning Underway / Progress on Lone Star Rail District

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is currently mid-way through their 25-year transportation planning process. This effort forges a new direction for the region's transportation system. Rather than simply planning and building based on past trends, it will take a blended approach by incorporating some focus on mixed-use centers around the region. By targeting some investments and connecting land use and transportation priorities, this new approach will  emphasize greater efficiency and increased transportation options. Visit the CAMPO website to learn more and receive updates about the next public input phase of the process to begin next spring.

The newly branded Lone Star Rail District is picking up momentum. After many years of steady effort toward creating a commuter rail line  between San Antonio and Austin, the Lone Star Rail District is set to begin preliminary engineering and environmental impact studies. These studies represent the final planning stage for the project. Once completed and approved, the district is authorized to begin final design and construction. Progress has also been made on funding, with the state legislature approving $91 million per year in the state's current biennial budget for the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund. The Lone Star Rail District is also included in the Texas application for federal high-speed and intercity passenger rail grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus legislation. Check out the Lone Star Rail District's website to learn more.

In September, Houston was the  host of the inaugural "Megaregions and MetroProsperity" conference. (Pictured at right are attendees Chris Holtkamp, Karen Walz, Matthew Moore, Travis Froehlich and Christy Muse.) The event brought together leaders from across the Texas Triangle Megaregion, an area defined by the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, to discuss infrastructure challenges, economic strategies and how our futures are intertwined. The term megaregion refers to large metropolitan areas with interlocking economic systems, shared natural resources and ecosystems, and transportation systems that link these population centers together. The Texas Triangle is one of the fastest growing of the nation's emerging megaregions, encompassing nearly 80 percent of Texas' population and an even larger share of its economy and population growth. Envision Central Texas was one of the event partners and presenters, sharing our lessons learned about regional visioning and implementation. You can review presentations from the conference and even some videos, by clicking here.

At the federal level, there has also been a shift towards connecting transportation, housing, land use and environmental planning and policy. Earlier this year,the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency teamed up to launch the Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. They have defined a set of core livability principles and are identifying barriers to coordination and integration of federal programs in support of sustainable communities. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) has introduced the Livable Communities Act (S. 1619) which would support this shift by providing a multi-year authorization for sustainability planning grants and a new sustainable communities office at HUD. Learn more at the American Planning Association website.

CAPCOG releases report on county land use authority in Texas

In our fast-growing region, it is becoming ever more important for counties to have the have the tools they need to address growth challenges. In 2009, ECT explored this issue both through a working group (see position statement) and at the ECT 81st Legislative Roundup.

The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) has been working steadfastly on this issue and has just released the first of its two reports focused on county land use authority. Building on county land use workshops held by CAPCOG this past spring, this report highlights the current state of counties' ability to manage growth, detailing the specific chapters in Texas Code that grant counties the ability to regulate land use while pointing out innovations that some counties have made in the exercise of their authority. The CAPCOG report also analyzes the unique character of county land use authority in Texas, especially the fact that only Texas excludes such large areas of its territory from being allowed to exercise zoning and comprehensive planning. This report also details the history leading to the current situation and the structural barriers that prevent land use authority as it is practiced in other states from being adopted in Texas. CAPCOG plans to release a second report covering strategies to provide counties experiencing rapid growth the powers they need to promote quality development. Click here to read CAPCOG's report, County Land Use Authority in Texas.

ECT has been busy this fall getting the word out about our work and initiatives like the Central Texas Greenprint for Growth. Some of the event highlights include the FHWA's Context Sensitive Solutions Conference in Austin  and Texas State's Land Water People Conference in San Marcos. Pictured above right is Congressman Lloyd Doggett with ECT Assistant Director Diane Miller at NatureFest in Bastrop. Below is Board Member Susan Merrick of AT&T at the City of Austin's Green City Festival.

The City of Austin Comprehensive Planning process is underway and has been named "Imagine Austin". The first round of community forums have taken place but there will be many ways to get involved in the months ahead. You can sign up to receive updates at the Imagine Austin website.

Austin Community College is undertaking a host of initiatives to increase sustainability campus wide. One exciting initiative for students and faculty is Green Pass, a pilot project providing free Capital Metro passes for all students, faculty, and staff.

For those passionate about public spaces, you can get involved in the Great Public Spaces for Austin initiative, which was inspired by conversations begun during the Austin Congress for New Urbanism conference. The kick-off party for this initiative is Sunday, November 22 from 1 to 3 pm at the HOPE Austin Farmer's Market at the corner of E. 5th and Waller St..

And for those passionate about land conservation, save the date for the2010 Statewide Land Conservation Conferenceto take place in Austin April 28-30.