The District prioritizes sustainability in land use planning and major decisions. The Highlands Sustainability Appraisal Form informs Council, applicants, staff, and the public about the impact of rezoning/OCP amendments or other projects on the District's sustainability policies. It serves as a high-level informative tool, not the primary method of analysis. Current policy and form (2015)
In summer 2012, after some use, Council provided feedback to improve the form:
One rating column
Scoring guide directly on the form
Coordinated colors
Penalty for buildings without permits (for health and safety)
Weighting more important issues
Changes included:
Reduced rating columns
Scoring guide on the form
Coordinated colors
Penalty of -1 for each building without an Occupancy Permit (in "Manufactured Capital" section)
Weighted selected issues by 20%, based on values from the OCP, ICSP, and CEEI, including:
GHG emissions from transportation
Ground and surface water quality and quantity
Gardens, farms, and markets
The form aims to be simple, with a 20% weighting providing adequate direction. While all items are important, six merit extra weight based on policy and values. Water is crucial in Highlands due to its role as the main potable source, ecological importance, and connections with habitats. Key factors for a sustainable Highlands include reducing GHG emissions from transportation and increasing food-growing opportunities.
Sustainability Appraisal form Details
The form, recommended by the Sustainability Task Force, is based on the Five Capital Stocks model. Key elements for reference:
Balances flexibility with structure
Each capital stock (natural, manufactured, financial, human, social) is like an account with assets and liabilities
Subcategories reflect elements of importance to Highlands, as per OCP policy or desired direction
For example, in the natural stock, "forests" protection is an asset (+), while wildfire risk is a liability (-). Each element is rated from 0 to 3 and assigned a flow (+ or -). The five capital stocks are calculated as one unit, resulting in five integer values indicating assets versus liabilities for each stock in Highlands.
These values are somewhat subjective, depending on who fills out the form.
Informal Results
Staff recognizes the need to minimize subjectivity in development applications. The form's final ratings are subjective and should not be used to compare applications or as the sole evaluation tool. The key is the direction of the flow—positive or negative—and whether the rating is particularly high or low. The form serves as a high-level informative tool to compare applications with the District's sustainability policies and desired directions. It should not replace current analyses by staff or applicants.
In the January 2010 Final Report, the Sustainability Task Force (STF) prioritized adopting and utilizing a Sustainability Appraisal Form. Detailed in an appendix, the form's purpose is to provide a structured tool to identify how applications, proposals, or decisions impact the District's values. It guides proponents on achieving net mutual benefits in land use changes. The Task Force intended for all applicants for development variance permits, development permits, rezoning applications, subdivision applications, and major building permits to complete this form.
This concept was integrated into the Sustainability Strategy process, becoming a project within the larger strategy and scheduled to occur after drafting the ICSP.
Council will note that the policy only directs that the form be used for rezoning/OCP amendment applications. The policy also states that the form could also be used in other instances at Council's discretion by Council resolution. While the latter is implicit, it deserves visibility. Staff feels this strikes a reasonable balance for use of the form at this early stage and also provides a mechanism for clarity for Council and staff.
