S.J.R. 8

1

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING UTAH QUALITY
2 GROWTH COMMISSION
3 2002 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Ron Allen
6 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges state agencies and local governments to
7 implement Quality Growth Commission principles, initiatives, and recommendations.
8 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
9 WHEREAS, the Quality Growth Commission consists of a group of representatives from
10 the real estate, development, and agriculture communities; state and local government; and citizens
11 at large;
12 WHEREAS, the Quality Growth Commission defines quality growth as creating a
13 responsible balance between the protection of natural resources, such as land, air, and water, and
14 the requisite development of residential, commercial, and industrial land to accommodate the
15 state's economy and populations;
16 WHEREAS, through the LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund, the Quality
17 Growth Commission joins with local governments, private individuals, and nonprofit organizations
18 to conserve or restore critical lands in Utah;
19 WHEREAS, every critical land project has multiple public benefits such as preservation
20 of wildlife habitat, watershed protection, public recreation, and agriculture;
21 WHEREAS, the Quality Growth Commission has helped preserve or restore over 19,000
22 acres of critical land in 12 Utah counties and the $6.6 million spent on those lands has been
23 matched with $26.5 million of other public and private dollars;
24 WHEREAS, the Quality Growth Commission administers planning grants to local
25 governments throughout Utah;
26 WHEREAS, the planning grants provide vital resources to plan for quality growth on a
27 local level and implement a quality growth vision;

28 WHEREAS, local governments are responsible for planning and land use decisions in their
29 own jurisdictions, in coordination and cooperation with other government entities;
30 WHEREAS, the state's role is to provide planning and technical assistance, information,
31 and incentives for local governments to coordinate and cooperate in the management of growth;
32 WHEREAS, the state is charged with the responsibility to promote a healthy statewide
33 economy and quality of life that supports a broad spectrum of opportunity;
34 WHEREAS, state and local governments and the private sector should cooperate to
35 encourage development that promotes efficient use of infrastructure and water and energy
36 resources;
37 WHEREAS, housing choices and housing affordability are quality of life priorities and
38 state and local governments should cooperate with the private sector to encourage both;
39 WHEREAS, the public sector, the private sector, and individuals should cooperate to
40 protect and conserve water, air, critical lands, important agricultural lands, and historical resources;
41 WHEREAS, these principles were developed by the Quality Growth Commission after
42 visiting every county in the state to gather input on growth issues from local officials and citizens;
43 and
44 WHEREAS, implementing Quality Growth Commission principles, initiatives, and
45 recommendations will enable the state and its communities to better manage the challenges of
46 growth:
47 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urge
48 state agencies and local governments to implement Quality Growth Commission principles,
49 initiatives, and recommendations within their jurisdictions.
50 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Michael
51 O. Leavitt, the Utah Association of Counties, the League of Cities and Towns, and the Quality
52 Growth Commission.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-4-02 8:01 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel