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Truckee, CA (November 10, 2005) -- The Sierra Business Council, a regional member-based organization known for its award-winning publications and research, highly respected leadership development program, ongoing efforts to network Sierra decision-makers and civic leaders, and dedication to a prosperous economy and quality of life that respects the vital natural resources of the extensive Sierra Nevada region, has just released its newest publication. Building Vibrant Communities: A Commercial and Mixed Use Handbook builds on the vision set forth in Planning for Prosperity, which received the American Planning Association's national Daniel Burnham Award for providing clear guidelines for enhancing the great communities in the Sierra.
"Kudos to the Sierra Business Council (SBC) for documenting this history and providing models for future growth in the Sierra. SBC has illustrated that by re-embracing commercial and mixed use, we can more effectively create, sustain, and enhance the strong sense of place that defines Sierra communities," says Randy Sater, Senior Vice President of Teichert Land Co.
The Sierra Business Council's mission is to secure the social, natural and financial health of the Sierra Nevada for this and future generations. Nowhere in California are investment decisions more critical than in the Sierra Nevada. Like the California coast 40 years ago, the Sierra Nevada is a vast region striving to maintain its unique character, natural capital, and quality of life while coping with a huge increase in population and development. The Sierra is the third fastest growing region in California and receives more than 100 million visitors each year. The Sierra Business Council understands that one of the best things that we can do for the future of the Sierra is to safeguard the social and environmental qualities that make our region a great place to live and do business. In response to the enormous challenges facing the region, SBC helps Sierra communities work together to steer the region's economy, environment, and communities in directions that ensure long-term prosperity.
"Change is coming fast to our Sierra communities. As civic leaders we can help ensure that change enhances our quality of life and contributes to our local environment and economy. The Sierra Business Council has invested in this publication so that our communities can accommodate new growth while protecting the wonderful small town assets that make our towns so unique," said Kate Powell Segerstrom, Chair of the Sierra Business Council and Attorney at Law, Sonora.
Time has shown us that the historic downtowns and neighborhoods have been the social, cultural, and economic centers of Sierra communities for over a hundred years. These compact, pedestrian-friendly towns are unique to our region and have enduring value. The Sierra Business Council believes they provide an excellent model for how to plan and enhance future development while we preserve what is best from our past.
Historically, Sierra towns have thrived with a combination of both commercial and residential development, what is referred to as commercial and mixed use (CMU). Given that there is no single reference to which builders, planners, or citizens can turn for information on successful mixed use approaches in the Sierra, the Sierra Business Council has invested in this publication.
Building Vibrant Sierra Communities: A Commercial and Mixed Use Handbook brings together useful tools language and code concepts that communities can use to reinforce or catalyze CMU development; innovative, real-life projects in the Sierra that can be used as models; and valuable information about traditional Sierra town patterns.
George Dondero of the Calaveras Council of Governments says "Sierra Foothill communities are inundated with development proposals as more and more people find our small rural towns to be havens from urban problems. Unfortunately, those problems, from traffic congestion to unaffordable workforce housing to loss of open space, often accompany growth marked by segregated residential and commercial uses. By focusing on the growth patterns that historically anchored the economy and social life of these communities, this book can help our citizens and decision-makers plan for a brighter future that builds on the best of our past."
Founded in 1994, the Sierra Business Council's mission is to secure the long term economic and environmental health of the Sierra Nevada region for this and future generations. SBC is a member-based organization of more than 650 business, civic, and individual leaders working together to solve problems and create long-term prosperity for their communities. For more information on SBC, visit www.sbcouncil.org. To view the publication or order your copy, visit http://www.sbcouncil.org/publications.asp or call .
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