Regional

The Regional Program of the Council consists of growth management and review activities.

Growth Management

Pursuant to the Community Planning Act of 2011, the Council maintains a Strategic Regional Policy Plan which addresses five issue areas:  Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Emergency Preparedness, Natural Resources of Regional Significance, and Regional Transportation.

The Plan is a long-range guide for the physical, economic, and social development of the region which identifies regional goals and policies.  The Plan contains regional goals and policies designed to promote a coordinated program of regional actions directed at resolving problems identified in the trends and conditions statements contained within each strategic regional subject area.

Review Activities

One of the ways the Council implements its regional plan is through several review responsibilities.  The Governor has designated the Council as the areawide clearinghouse for all federally-funded projects that affect the region, and several other review activities are undertaken as a result of state legislation.

The Council’s Clearinghouse Committee is responsible for overseeing these review activities.  Each year the Committee conducts reviews of projects submitted by private developers, units of local government, and state and federal agencies.  Reviews include the following type.

• applications for federal assistance
• developments of regional impact
• local comprehensive plans and plan amendments
• local emergency management plans
• 10-year site plans of major electric utilities
• environmental impact statements, assessments, and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers permit requests
• state agency functional plans, projects and proposed rules
  

The Clearinghouse Committee reviews these projects to:

1. avoid or mitigate potential adverse impacts that may be created by an activity in neighboring communities or counties;
2. insure coordination and consistency with local government and comprehensive regional policy plans; and
3. avoid duplication or conflict with other local or area plans and programs.
   

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