Creating Our Future in Ucluelet: from Vision to Implementation
Felice Mazzoni tells the Ucluelet story at 2007 Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum
The Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum, held on December 3rd 2007 in Nanaimo, celebrated on-the-ground successes to provide context for A Positive Settlement Strategy for Vancouver Island. The objective in showcasing successes was to create excitement about a new way-of-thinking and acting related to infrastructure policies and practices.
A featured case study was the District of Ucluelet. Felice Mazzoni, Director of Planning, told the story of what his municipality is doing to assert control over its destiny during an era of rapid change. To download a copy of his presentation, please click on this link to Creating Our Future in Ucluelet: from Vision to Implementation.
Synopsis of the Ucluelet Story
The development pressures on the community are constant, which creates a challenge in maintaining community character and ‘sense of place’ for residents and visitors alike.
According to Felice Mazzoni, “Through careful planning and strong local political support, the District of Ucluelet has successfully implemented ‘smart growth’ sustainable planning 
tools such as density bonusing, alternative design standards, affordable housing policies, public access, comprehensive development zoning, and mandatory LEED construction.”
“The tools have been incorporated into day-to-day planning procedures as well as long-term planning for the future of the community,” continued Felice Mazzoni, “The planning principles can be implemented through a variety of means in terms of rezoning, development permits, or subdivision design and layout.”
“Ucluelet’s planning principles can be implemented and transferred to larger cities or other rural communities experiencing development pressures,” concluded Felice Mazzoni.
Presentation Highlights
Mary Miller, Forum Coordinator, reports that “Felice Mazzoni started out by sharing a portion of the District of Ucluelet’s vision. He then stressed the point that with a clear vision that everyone is committed to, it is possible to create an 
integrated whole that, over time, fulfills that vision.”
In the case of Ucluelet, key elements of their vision reflected the desire of the community to accommodate growth yet at the same time maintain a rural ‘feel’. As well, they wanted to include sustainability initiatives such as:
- Sustainable subdivision designs, for example incorporating French drains, narrow roads, paths rather than sidewalks, etc.
100% public access to the waterfront via a network of trails integrated into their waterfront development- The exchange of higher density in new development in exchange for cash, parkland, fee simple land, affordable housing, etc. It quickly became clear that these folks are experts at negotiating.
They understand what’s important to developers (and what they’re willing to pay to get it!), they have developed a creative range of options to offer developers in order to get what the district wants, and last but not least, as stated previously, they have clarity about what it is they are trying to achieve. Therefore negotiations stay on track. - Requiring a minimum LEED Silver standard for all new development (and LEED Gold for municipal buildings). They are also building the first LEED-ND (Neighbourhood Design) development.
Maintaining a pool of affordable housing by requiring that 20% of all new multifamily, condo, and hotel units are available for staff housing or affordable housing and that a pool of rental housing is maintained – all paid for by the developer!- The use of a design charrette in order to develop a clear, integrated vision for downtown development
According to Mary Miller, “After listening to the passionate and energizing presentation by Felice Mazzoni, the question on everyone’s mind was “how were you able to do this?” There wasn’t time at the Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum for a complete answer but Felice did indicate that one key is being aware of and using the right tools, for example donation agreements and covenants.”
“Another key is having provincial and local government legislation (in this case the Local Government Act) aligned – and where it’s not, lobbying for needed changes,” added Mary Miller, “As Felice emphasized…it all starts, though, with the politicians having the political will to establish the necessary framework and policies.”
About the Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum
The Leadership Forum was a collaborative effort of the CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island partnership and the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (AVICC).
CAVI is a regional pilot program that is being implemented under the umbrella of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia. AVICC represents local government on Vancouver Island.
To learn more about the Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum and the program design, please click on these links to:
- Report on 2007 Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum summarizes what was accomplished – Creating our future starts by asking what could Vancouver Island communities look like in 50 years?
- Creating Our Future on Vancouver Island: Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum celebrates successes and showcases innovation– Links to downloadable PowerPoint presentations
- Creating Our Future: A Catalogue of Preferred Practices that achieve Green Value– Ministry of Community Services and Real Estate Foundation collaboration is an outcome of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum
- Creating our Future Workshop at Gaining Ground Summit set the stage for Showcasing Innovation Series and Green Infrastructure Leadership Forum
The Leadership Forum was designed for elected representatives and senior managers in local government.
Posted December 2007