The City of Carlsbad has neared the end of a journey that began more than 20 years ago when citizens voted to enact a Growth Management Plan that would guide and direct development of the city. Since that pivotal decision, Carlsbad's focus has been on following that plan to build the city, including the roads, parks and infrastructure necessary to provide an excellent quality of life and to serve the community into the future. Today, as Carlsbad approaches build out, city leaders are exploring policies and initiatives necessary to sustain that quality of life and provide for future generations.
The concept of sustainability can seem intimidating and difficult to define because it is different in every community and reflects its unique set of characteristics and circumstances. Furthering the challenge, sustainability is not a thing, rather a mindset about how people think and act about the key networks in their community and their relationship to one another; it is about how a community views their responsibility to their future. In each instance, steps toward sustainability are a reflection of the social fabric guiding the community's ethical choices, the courage mustered to make difficult decisions based on the reality of today and the ability to create a vision for future generations.
This year's State of the City video address chronicles Carlsbad's “Journey to Sustainability.” The 28-minute video presentation, which deputed Aug. 16 at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's annual event, highlighted the 2006-2007 accomplishments that had their foundation in planning decades ago such as Pine Park and the The Crossings at Carlsbad municipal golf course, to future projects like the police and fire training facility and Alga Norte Park and swim complex. During the video, Carlsbad Mayor Claude “Bud” Lewis emphasized the importance of citizen participation in their successful outcome. He called for all residents to get involved in Carlsbad's future by participating in the many forums offered by the city.
The three fundamentals of sustainability, economic, environmental and social networks, are discussed in the video, and staff helps to explain how they are working in Carlsbad to ensure that the quality of life is preserved for future generations. Finance Director Lisa Irvine discusses the city's strategy to financial sustainability through conservative spending and regular 10- year forecasts.
Public Works Director Glenn Pruim talked about the impact of global events on construction costs, which in turn impact public projects such as the golf course. He also discussed Carlsbad's plan to replace infrastructure as it ages. Community Development Director Sandra Holder and Special Projects Director Skip Hammann related the city's efforts to provide open space and community engagement processes to include citizen input into future planning for Carlsbad. Next year, the community will be asked to provide input into such important issues as the proposed desalination plant, Ponto vision plan, and the Proposition D, which call for a vision for the lands along Cannon Road corridor. In the coming months, the city will also begin a comprehensive process to involve the public in developing an update of the general plan.
This year's State of the City addressed a comprehensive overview of the actions Carlsbad is taking today to ensure its continued vitality and quality of life. The program is a snapshot of the values and vision, courage and forethought of those that came before and our efforts to do the same for those who will call Carlsbad home in the future. It will require committed stewardship from civic leaders and the community to create a balance between the three key elements supporting the quality of life in a community,economic vitality, environmental health and social connectivity.
The concept of sustainability can seem intimidating and difficult to define because it is different in every community and reflects its unique set of characteristics and circumstances. Furthering the challenge, sustainability is not a thing, rather a mindset about how people think and act about the key networks in their community and their relationship to one another; it is about how a community views their responsibility to their future. In each instance, steps toward sustainability are a reflection of the social fabric guiding the community's ethical choices, the courage mustered to make difficult decisions based on the reality of today and the ability to create a vision for future generations.
This year's State of the City video address chronicles Carlsbad's “Journey to Sustainability.” The 28-minute video presentation, which deputed Aug. 16 at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's annual event, highlighted the 2006-2007 accomplishments that had their foundation in planning decades ago such as Pine Park and the The Crossings at Carlsbad municipal golf course, to future projects like the police and fire training facility and Alga Norte Park and swim complex. During the video, Carlsbad Mayor Claude “Bud” Lewis emphasized the importance of citizen participation in their successful outcome. He called for all residents to get involved in Carlsbad's future by participating in the many forums offered by the city.
The three fundamentals of sustainability, economic, environmental and social networks, are discussed in the video, and staff helps to explain how they are working in Carlsbad to ensure that the quality of life is preserved for future generations. Finance Director Lisa Irvine discusses the city's strategy to financial sustainability through conservative spending and regular 10- year forecasts.
Public Works Director Glenn Pruim talked about the impact of global events on construction costs, which in turn impact public projects such as the golf course. He also discussed Carlsbad's plan to replace infrastructure as it ages. Community Development Director Sandra Holder and Special Projects Director Skip Hammann related the city's efforts to provide open space and community engagement processes to include citizen input into future planning for Carlsbad. Next year, the community will be asked to provide input into such important issues as the proposed desalination plant, Ponto vision plan, and the Proposition D, which call for a vision for the lands along Cannon Road corridor. In the coming months, the city will also begin a comprehensive process to involve the public in developing an update of the general plan.
This year's State of the City addressed a comprehensive overview of the actions Carlsbad is taking today to ensure its continued vitality and quality of life. The program is a snapshot of the values and vision, courage and forethought of those that came before and our efforts to do the same for those who will call Carlsbad home in the future. It will require committed stewardship from civic leaders and the community to create a balance between the three key elements supporting the quality of life in a community,economic vitality, environmental health and social connectivity.