Merced County General Plan Update
Two options for the county's General Plan Update were being considered: one that focused development in existing urban areas and another that would allow for the creation of new towns in the county. Some of the pathways and health issues explored included access to retail and services, preservation of agricultural land, community safety, water quality and availability, climate change and air quality. The HIA recommended: 1) focusing population growth and development in areas where there is existing urban development, infrastructure and municipal services; and 2) promoting higher residential densities in urban areas to align with the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Project Preferred Scenario. The organizations that collaborated on this HIA provided the information as a letter to the Merced County Board of Supervisors.
Though letters were sent to the Board of Supervisors and public comment favored the option of growth in already developed areas, decision-makers ultimately selected a development option that was not found by the HIA to be healthiest.
More Information
Organization Website:
http://www.humanimpact.org/
Contact Email:
[email protected]
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Status:Completed
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Publication date:2009
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Decision-making levels:County
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Sectors:Agriculture, Planning and zoning
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Additional topic areas:Land-use planning, Long-range planning, Water
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Drivers of health:Access to healthy food, Access to services/medical care, Clean air and water, Community safety, Employment, Income and wealth
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Affected populations:Chronic health conditions, Economically disadvantaged
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Community types:Urban, Suburban
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Funding source:Other funding