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» Idaho Smart Growth Hires Executive Director
June 10, 2013
Idaho Smart Growth is pleased to announce the selection of Scot Oliver as Executive Director.
Gary Allen, President of Idaho Smart Growth said “We are excited Scot emerged from a highly qualified applicant pool to join us as executive director. Scot is a strong leader who we are confident is the right person to lead Idaho Smart Growth through its next phase of growth.”
Oliver has deep and broad background and experience in the non-profit world and working on the issues that are most important to Idaho Smart Growth. Scot served for several years as special projects manager at Capital City Development Corp., Boise's redevelopment agency, working on sustainable development policy, neighborhood design, environmental awareness, arts and cultural investments, public relations and other projects. Prior to coming to Boise he worked at universities and nonprofits in Idaho, southern Appalachia and elsewhere. He has served on the boards of the US Green Building Council Idaho Chapter and Radio Boise. He earned a bachelor's degree at Guilford College, a master's in architecture at the University of Idaho and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
"I've collaborated with the people at Idaho Smart Growth for years," Oliver said. "They've done some amazing work in a short time, and the future looks pretty exciting. I'm really happy to be part of this team."
» New Idaho Smart Growth Publication: Area of City Impact: A Tool Kit of Guidelines and Resources
February 19, 2013
As Idaho continues to grow, it must grow in a way that makes sense and keep our communities great places to live. Building infrastructure to serve new development on the fringe can cost a city up to three times more per acre than development in existing communities. ([1]) Idaho law essentially directs cities to grow in a way that is cost effective for its citizens (Idaho Code, 50-222-1). Cities in Idaho have an Area of City Impact that defines where and how they can grow.
After conducting surveys and focus groups, Idaho Smart Growth and partner groups found that how areas of city impact boundaries are establish vary widely throughout the state- and that local decision makers and planners needed more tools and guidance to help understand how to create and amend Area of City Impact maps and agreements.
Idaho Smart Growth, a statewide non profit organization, and the University of Idaho College of Law Economic Development Clinic gathered Area of City Impact agreements, developed a database, and published a tool kit as a resource to Idaho cities and counties. It is intended to provide guidelines and best practices for the provisions of Idaho law.
The Tool Kit is the outcome from meetings with organizational representatives convened by Idaho Smart Growth 2012. The following organizations contributed to the content of this publication:
- Association of Idaho Cities
- Boise City
- Boise State University
- COMPASS
- Gem County
- Idaho Association of Counties
- Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association
- Idaho District Council of the Urban Land Institute
- Idaho Smart Growth
- University of Idaho College of Law - Boise
- Valley Regional Transit
Electronic copies of the “Area of City Impact: A Tool Kit of Guidelines and Resources for Use by Idaho Cities and Counties”, completed in December 2012, are available here. The full compilation of Area of City Impact Agreements can be found at http://www.uidaho.edu/law/academics/clinicsprofessionalskills/clinics/econ-dev-clinic/city-impact-agreement.
[1] Smart Growth America, http://www.rpcgb.org/events/2012/01/17/the-rise-of-walkable-urbanism/index.php
» Welcome new board members and officers!
February 06, 2013
Idaho Smart Growthis pleased to announce the addition of Matt Blandford, Sharon Patterson Grant, Wyatt Johnson, and Hethe Clark to our board. They join current board members Gary Allen, Kate Eldridge, Michelle Groenevelt, Stacey Alexander, Bill Clark, Doug Fowler, Rob Hopper, Sherry McKibben, Steve Lockwood, and Laurie Barrera.
Matt Blandford works for Elite Edge Engineers as a LEED Accredited Structural Engineer. Sharon Patterson Grant, LEED AP BD+C and Homes and managing member of Eco Edge , focuses on creating healthy indoor environments alongside reducing utility costs and using resources more wisely. Hethe Clark is a land use and real estate attorney and partner at Spink Butler, LLP. Wyatt Johnson is an experienced civil trial lawyer with Angstman Johnson and engages in a transactional practice involving real estate and related business ventures.
The Idaho Smart Growth board also announces the election of the following officers for 2013: Gary Allen, President; Kate Eldridge, Vice-President; Michelle Groenevelt, Secretary; and Stacey Alexander, Treasurer.