The League's position on this issue was adopted in 1959 and was updated in 1985 and 1996. A third update began in 1999 and was completed in 2003. A fourth update began in 2018. The League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County and the League of Women Voters of Kent collaborated to update their land use positions with the goal of creating a combined Portage County position, which would enable the two Leagues to take unified action locally. The position update by both Leagues was completed in April 2021. The resulting position was adopted by the boards of Northern Portage and Kent also in April 2021.
The Leagues support decisions on land use by local governmental entities that:
- Limit land use that degrades land to the point where it cannot support flora, fauna and fungi. (e.g., strip mining and fracking).
- Preserve local ecosystems; minimize air pollution and stormwater runoff; avoid reduction of habitats and/or natural food sources for wildlife.
- Conserve available farmland to ensure a robust local foodshed.
- Conserve undeveloped lands, especially those that support a robust, diverse ecosystem
- Encourage repurposing of previously developed land over developing undeveloped land.
- Encourage designated high-density areas for new buildings, homes and other development.
- Encourage a wide range of housing for different demographic needs (e.g., age, income, accessibility, developmental ability, grand-families).
The Leagues support consultation of the following stakeholders by local governmental entities when making decisions about land use:
- Cities, Villages and Townships should regularly review zoning codes with robust citizen involvement.
- Landowners should have direct opportunities to influence neighboring land use that might have a long-term negative impact on their land.
- Citizens should have direct opportunities to influence land use zoning decisions that have a long-term, wide-ranging impact.
The Leagues support development of a countywide comprehensive land use plan that:
- Includes protection of wetlands, water tables, wildlife habitats, tree canopy, farmland and any other features that create local resilience.
- Discourages land use that creates pollution, erosion, and greenhouse gases.
- Includes affordable housing for different demographic needs (e.g, age, income, accessibility, developmental ability, grand-families).
- Includes input from: residents; the city, village and township governments; local farmers and their organizations; the park districts; the Soil and Conservation District; local environmental groups; local groups representing historically marginalized communities (e.g., NAACP, Family and Community Services); local health agencies; local businesses and industry; and local colleges and universities.
The Leagues support governmental agencies prioritizing certain uses of land (e.g., via zoning, landbanking, tax incentives):
- Land that already has infrastructure such as water, wastewater treatment and utilities should be preferred for new development.
- Affordable housing for different demographic needs (e.g., age, income, accessibility, developmental ability, grand-families).
- Land that is part of the local foodshed, watershed, and ecosystems should be preserved
- through easements, transfer of development rights, conservancy initiatives, and the allocation of public monies.
- Land that has historical or archeological significance should be preserved through easements, transfer of development rights, conservancy initiatives, and the allocation of public monies.
The Leagues support governmental agencies’ support of the following public or community services:
- Intermodal transportation systems that connect local communities with each other and with wider transportation systems.
- Rail-to-Trail and other walking and biking corridors between and within local communities.
- Mass transit options, such as buses and light rail.
- Affordable and/or subsidized housing.