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SRCAP Draft City of Atlantic Beach Sustainability & Resilience Community Action Plan (SRCAP) October 2022 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special thanks to the numerous people who participated in community meetings, online discussions, and surveys. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the following individuals that have supported the creation of this plan. We could not have done it without you! ATLANTIC BEACH MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS Ellen Glasser, Mayor Bruce Bole, Commissioner Seat 2 Michael “Mike” Waters, Commissioner Seat 3 Candace Kelly, Commissioner Seat 4 & Originator of LEED for Cities certification Brittany Norris, Mayor Pro Tem & Commissioner Seat 5 ATLANTIC BEACH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE (ESC) Mark Gabrynowicz, ESC Chair Daniele Giovannucci, ESC Vice Chair Bruce Andrews, Tree Subcommittee Chair Amy Palmer, Outreach Subcommittee Chair Sarah Boren, Sustainability & Resilience Subcommittee Chair Barbie Brooksher Linda Chipperfield Anastasia Houston Christopher McHan Patrick Nobles Romy Vann ATLANTIC BEACH COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN TASK FORCE Mark Gabrynowicz Sarah Boren Barbie Brooksher Romy Vann Dr. Christopher Perle Dr. Melinda Simmons Dr. David Lambert CITY STAFF: Amanda Askew, AICP, Director, Planning and Community Development Brian Broedell, Principal Planner Shane Corbin, City Manager Jennifer Johnston, Operations Manager TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HISTORY & BACKGROUND Atlantic Beach, Florida is a charming, eclectic coastal town just east of Jacksonville that was incorporated in 1926. It is a family-friendly city of almost 14,000 residents with a keen sense of place. There is deep love and value of its parks and green spaces, public beaches, and lush maritime forest. With the future of our unique community in mind, the City of Atlantic Beach has constructed its first Sustainability and Resilience Community Action Plan (SRCAP) to prepare for resilience challenges and maintain a healthy, prosperous, sustainable, and equitable future for generations to come. This SRCAP is for all those who have or will experience our beautiful oasis city. Resilience and sustainability are more than just caring for environmental assets. Resiliency and sustainable development also spur a spirit of innovation and has the goal of high quality of life, a thriving natural environment, and economic prosperity for all in the city while building a society that thinks beyond its time. The City of Atlantic Beach began the process of seriously planning for a sustainable and resilient future in August 2017 by establishing an Environmental Stewardship Committee, and in January 2018 when its elected officials put environmental stewardship and LEED for Cities certification as a priority. On July 19, 2018, the city became the first LEED for Cities Pilot Silver certified city in Florida. In developing this SRCAP, the city is creating a living document that is meant to guide the city’s current and future sustainability and resiliency-based endeavors ranging from community programs and policy development to infrastructure improvements – all with measurable outcomes. This first edition of the SRCAP is meant to be adaptable, allowing the city to check-in annually and adaptively manage based on economic, social, and environmental dynamic needs. Implementation of the strategies in the plan will city and community wide and involve collaboration across departments, committees and boards, subject matter experts, and citizen participation. PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN To take positive, integrated action forward is the main reason for this SRCAP. Doing nothing is not an option. The cost of inaction and lack of an actionable plan is not good governance. To have a community supported plan with target goals, deadlines, and proven strategies to achieve goals alongside LEED certification for performance measurement allows the City and its citizens to know where it stands in preparing for the future in terms of sustainability and resilience. Resilience is often defined as the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a city to survive, endure, adapt, and grow no matter what kinds of chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience. Sustainability was defined in 1987 by the Bruntland Commission as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the abilit y of future generations to meet their own needs” and is often characterized simply as taking care of the three P’s: people, planet and profits or often known as: Economic, Social, and Environmental. PLANNING PROCESS Deep community engagement and assessment was implemented in the planning and drafting of the SRCAP. As mentioned earlier, there have been the many efforts leading up to the plan: • 2018 City Commission made it a priority to seek LEED for Cities certification. • 2019 COAB became first city in Florida to achieve LEED Silver certification under the LEED for Cities and Communities pilot rating system. • 2020 ESC put in its workplan to create a sustainability action plan to complement the Commission’s priorities and continue to improve work started with certification. • 2021 COAB received a Bank of America USGBC grant to seek LEED for Cities v4.1 recertification, a more robust program than the pilot version. • 2022 ESC workplan goal to achieve recertification and finish and get approval to the SRCAP so we can start consistently working towards long term goals and continually improve. Direct outreach and research involved several strategies including: • Eight-month community survey • Six in person workshops • Social media posts • Inserts into the city’s newsletter and bill insert • Numerous conversations and inputs from subject matter experts (SME) • Many ESC and subcommittee meetings • Assessment of how the SRCAP crosses over with other existing city plans GUIDING PRINCIPLES Several plans and documents helped guide the overall goals and actions of this SRCAP. Relevant information, studies, and recommendations from each of these documents were considered and utilized in forming this plan. • Commission Priorities • Comprehensive Plan • Parks Master Plan • Marsh Preserve • Coastal Vulnerability Assessment • Adaptation Plan • Mayor’s Health and Wellbeing Committee Recommendations • Connectivity Plan • Chapter 23 Ordinance STRUCTURE OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN Working with the LEED for Cities framework including the former STAR Communities Rating System, our city staff, citizen-based Environmental Stewardship Committee, and the citizens of Atlantic Beach, the following eight focus areas have been identified as priorities: • Natural Systems & Ecology • Energy & Climate • Quality of Life / Livability • Water • Green Buildings & Infrastructure • Solid Waste • Transportation • Governance, Community Outreach & Education Each focus area has its own section in the SRCAP and contains the following information: • Overview & Benefits • Goals, Strategies & Alignment with Other Plans • Current Status & Performance Metrics • Progress Highlights Through review of existing plans and documents, collaboration between city staff and committees, and public input, focus areas were developed which are the guiding categories to goals and actionable strategies. 2050 (or earlier) goals were also decided. * Bolded initiatives are LEED for Cities & Communities credits The SRCAP is meant to encourage action right away as well as think about and plan long term. Therefore for each focus area there will be education and community outreach, performance measurement, setting of short- and medium-term milestones to show progress towards long term goals, and annual review and reporting. Some actions will take longer than others to complete. Also, while goals are meant to remain steady, the SRCAP itself will be a living document that will continue to capture new strategies, best practices, and resources as they become known to city staff, ESC and engaged citizens. It is the goal to annually update the SRCAP with new information, progress, statistics, etc. and refine priorities and strategies as the city continues its sustainability and resiliency journey. Natural Systems & Ecology Natural Systems & Ecology OVERVIEW & BENEFITS This focus area takes an ecosystem services approach and recognizes the wide range of benefits natural systems provide, such as clean water and air, flood control, habitat, food, and natural regulating processes affecting climate such as localized cooling. Ecosystem services also extend to cultural benefits like aesthetic value, human health, and recreation. It is up to our community to demonstrate leadership by making natural resource protection and green space and implementing strategies that improve the quality of natural resource areas and human health a priority with concrete goals and milestones to show progress. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Ecosystem Assessment -- To assess existing ecosystem conditions and services provided by ecosystems, built landscapes, and other open spaces to inform the city development along with conservation and restoration efforts. a. Conserve, restore, and maintain the health, quality, and function of AB’s natural systems (marsh, wetlands, beaches, canopy, green spaces, dunes, parks, waterways, etc.) through regular assessment and attention 2. Green Spaces - To provide accessible green spaces to positively impact physical, mental, and psychological health and well-being of the community while also enhancing the environmental quality of the city or community. a. Develop and enhance connectivity and walkability between parks and within city. b. Ensure that 95% of residential addresses are located within a ½ mile of a park or open space. 3. Natural Resource Conservation and Restoration - To conserve and restore the natural resources within the city and community. a. Promote and educate about the benefits of trees, tree ordinance, tree planting, and pervious surfaces. b. Assess and address how construction practices are negatively affecting trees (e.g., heavy trucks parking on tree roots reducing lifespan of trees). c. Develop and maintain canopy assessment tools Natural Systems & Ecology d. Strive for zero net loss of canopy e. Coordinate a “Friends of the Park” program so those who use the park can have more impact in a park’s maintenance and care. f. Increase and maintain healthy, diverse tree canopy to 40% 4. Light Pollution Reduction - To minimize and manage ambient light levels to protect public health and the integrity of ecological systems and increase the night sky access, improve nighttime visibility, and reduce the consequences of development for wildlife and people. a. Set standards and understand effects of excessive exposure and mitigation techniques for ambient light 5. Resiliency Planning, Adaptation & Mitigation -- To strengthen the resilience of communities to climate change risks, natural and man-made hazards, chronic stressors, and extreme events. a. Adopt and/or incentivize best practices for resilient properties such as trees, green infrastructure, hardening, elevation, first floor floodable, razing up houses, etc. 6. Biodiversity & Invasive Species – To maintain the urban ecosystem habitat at levels that promote biodiversity and manage or prevent invasive species a. Increase the connectivity between habitats needed for threatened species b. Strive to eradicate invasive species by preventing growth and expansion. c. Incentivize and advocate for use of native plants and beautification of private and commercial spaces 7. Outdoor Air Quality – To ensure that outdoor air quality is healthy for all segments of the human population and protects the welfare of the community a. Measure and work towards “good” rating on the Air Quality Index (AQI) 365 days/year * 8. Water in the Environment – To protect and restore the biological, chemical, and hydrological integrity of water in the natural environment a. Work towards restoring and maintaining critical water bodies and the buffer zones that protect those water bodies * b. Achieve treated and non-point source pollution into waterways * Natural Systems & Ecology 9. Open Lands –To conserve and sustainably manage lands that provide ecosystem services and raw materials a. Reduce use of harmful chemicals and biocides by 90% b. Enhance public spaces, including public rights of way, roadsides, City buildings, beach accesses and other publicly held properties with carefully maintained landscape design and plantings (ideally using native and/or Florida-friendly plants and city plant palette) * Also listed as a strategy in another focus area CROSSOVER WITH OTHER ATLANTIC BEACH PLANS & EFFORTS • Comprehensive Plan • Parks Master Plan • Marsh Preserve • Coastal Vulnerability Assessment • Adaptation Plan • Mayor’s Health & Wellness Task Force Natural Systems & Ecology CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS The state of Atlantic Beach’s parks, green spaces, and natural systems and ecology is good. There is a high percentage of residents living within ½ mile of a park or open green space. The city has worked hard to increase connectivity and walkability with parks and throughout the city and has taken several steps to strengthen protection of its trees and tree canopy. There are still some impaired waterways within the city that need focus and improvement. The Atlantic Beach community ranked the care, improvement and expansion of AB’s parks, green spaces, and natural systems and ecology including the beach, marsh, and wetlands, and ICW as the second highest priority in the 2021-2022 Community Action Plan survey. In addition to the high priority ranking, many comments and suggestions were shared ranging from more trees to better water quality. With the goals of increasing, protecting, and maintaining a healthy tree canopy, parks and green spaces as well as reducing the use of biocides significantly, we need to continue to listen to the community, educate the community about the value of natural systems and spaces, and continue to make progress annually and prioritize this focus area. Natural Systems & Ecology PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS To date, the city has implemented several actions to support and improve the natural systems and ecology of Atlantic Beach. Highlighted efforts include: • Tree Canopy – The City and ESC have been hard at work to protect trees and expand the tree canopy. ESC launched a “Verified Tree Trimmer” program. The City has planted more than 500+ trees throughout the city both in right of ways and resident yards using a pre-researched list and free tree adoption program. • Chemicals Usage – The City recently banned the use of Round-Up for municipal use and is trying to educate its citizens to voluntarily stop using Round Up by sharing its negative impacts on human health, animals, and natural systems. • Wetland Protection -- The City included wetland protection regulation into code. • Green Infrastructure – The City included multiple types of green infrastructure techniques into its Parks Master Plan and municipal right of way. • Stormwater Pollution Prevention – The City adopted a policy to comply with U.S. EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program for stormwater pollution prevention from construction and industrial activities and municipal source Energy & Climate Energy & Climate Energy & Climate OVERVIEW & BENEFITS As a coastal barrier island city with a diverse socio-economic population, we must plan ahead to reduce our vulnerability to environmental, economic, and social chronic stressors and acute shocks. This focus area’s intent is to reduce climate impacts through adaptation and mitigation efforts and increase resource efficiency. Energy consumption (mostly from residential electricity use and transportation in AB) causes greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn causes climate change. While this is a global issue, local governments can impact the sources and sinks within their jurisdictions. Expanding alternative modes of transportation, improving energy efficiency, eliminating waste, and increasing vegetation can reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and provide many benefits to the community. These many benefits include reduced energy, water and waste bills, less asthma, better indoor and outdoor air quality so less pollution, quieter neighborhoods, cooler pavements for those precious pet paws, and much more. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Power Access, Reliability and Resiliency -- To provide safe, secured, reliable, resilient, and equitable access to power. a. Maintain 100% access, reliability, and resiliency of power to AB 2. Energy & Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance -- To support energy management and move towards a zero energy and emissions city. a. Improve measurement, performance and tracking of energy consumption and greenhouse emissions annually b. Set short- and medium-term milestone targets to show progress toward long term goals 3. Energy Efficiency -- To improve sectoral energy efficiency in the city and community. a. Reduce 20% of overall energy consumption b. Implement specific programs and services that increases energy efficiency. c. Consider best practices for sustainable principles into neighborhood planning and redevelopment projects 4. Greening the Energy Supply -- Transition the local energy supply for both transportation and non- mobile sources toward renewable, less carbon-intensive, and less toxic alternatives a. Obtain 100% of electricity from clean, renewable sources city wide Energy & Climate b. Become a solar and electric vehicle (EV) ready community 5. Renewable Energy -- To reduce the environmental and economic harms associated with fossil fuel energy and reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by increasing self-supply of renewable energy and the use of grid-source, renewable energy technologies. a. Work towards 33% of citywide electricity generated by renewable energy b. Implement specific programs and services that increases renewable energy adoption 6. Low Carbon Economy -- To progress towards a low carbon economy by decoupling economic growth of the city or community from greenhouse gas emissions. a. Implement and incentivize a voluntary benchmarking and green building challenge for city, residential and commercial buildings. 7. Grid Harmonization -- To improve operational efficiency of the energy system and encourage consumer participation in energy use optimization. a. Work with JEA on dynamic pricing for metered users to motivate load shifting and suggest an Interconnection and Net metering policy. 8. Climate Adaptation – Strengthen the resilience of communities to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, and social systems. a. Adopt and/or incentivize best practices for resilient properties (e.g., trees, green infrastructure, hardening, elevation, first floor floodable, raising up houses, etc.). * b. Install and maintain resilience hubs in most needed areas of AB. 9. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation -- Achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions throughout the community. a. Reduce GHG emissions to below two metric tons per capita or 80% below 1990 levels. b. Commit to Under 2° actions and implementation. c. Implement specific programs and services that reduces waste in the community. CROSSOVER WITH OTHER ATLANTIC BEACH PLANS & EFFORTS • Comprehensive Plan • Connectivity Plan • Parks Master Plan • Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Energy & Climate CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS Currently the City of Atlantic Beach greenhouse gas emissions are approximately 8 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year per capita which is fairly typical of a U.S. suburban neighborhood city. When compared to other cites participating in the LEED for Cities and Communities program, COAB is on the lower emissions side. The majority of the emissions come from vehicles, natural gas and electricity with residential electricity use as the highest source of emissions. With the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to below two metric tons per capita or 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 or earlier, it is important the COAB, and its residents accelerate their efforts on energy efficiency actions, clean energy alternatives in transportation and the built environment and overall water, materials, and waste resource efficiency. Consistently working on these priorities will create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable and resilient community. In 2019 according to DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), COAB’s GHG emissions were approximately 8 metric tons per person and in 2021, they were 7.61. In 2020-2021, the EERE data measurement and methodology tool moved over to National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) State and Local Planning for Energy (SLOPE). The following graphs and visualizations are from both entities: COAB Annual Energy GHG Emissions 2019 (Source: EERE/SLED) COAB Annual Energy GHG Emissions 2022 (Source: NREL/SLOPE) Energy & Climate PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS To date, the city has implemented several actions to begin to reduce GHG and energy consumption and increase resource efficiency. Highlighted efforts include: 1. Measurement – The City, at a high level, has begun to measure its GHG and energy consumption per capita, by sector and fuel type, and for its own operations. By understanding its baseline, the city can prioritize its strategies and direct actions for its own operations and the community at large. 2. Assessments -- The City has performed sea level rise vulnerability assessment, created a Resiliency Adaptation Plan, and has shared with the public via workshops, presentations, and easy access on website. 3. Comprehensive Plan – The City updated its comprehensive plan to include adopting alternative fuel guidelines and targets for locally owned facilities and vehicles. 4. Efficient Street Lighting – The City has upgraded 90%+ of its street and area lights with high efficiency fixtures with a luminous efficacy of between 102 -123. 5. Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations – The City installed one public electric station at City Hall and has added EV parking to the draft code update. 6. Heat Island Effect – The City has systematically planted 500+ trees over the past few years to help with its heat island effect. Quality of Life & Livability Quality of Life & Livability OVERVIEW & BENEFITS Quality of Life and Livability ranked in the top three highest in priorities for the City of Atlantic Beach to focus on in the 2021-2022 Community Action Plan survey. Local government and its residents both play a critical role in protecting and enhancing the three pillars of sustainability: environment, economy, and social equity, to increase its ability to consistently thrive over time. This focus area covers an array of critical topics, including community and human health, education, housing, economic conditions, civil rights, and safety. The education metrics focus on literacy and workforce readiness and the equitability metrics consider the affordability of housing and distribution of wealth. The prosperity metrics reflect economic performance and opportunities for upward mobility. Finally, the health and safety metrics look at susceptibility to outdoor air pollution and the impact of violence. Taken together, these metrics reflect the socioeconomic condition of the population living within the jurisdiction and its overall ability to endure chronic and acute stressors and ultimately improve and thrive as a community. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Measurement – Demographic Assessment: To describe the population demographics and housing characteristics of the area; Quality of Life Performance: To track and measure metrics related to elevating the living standards of all people; and Trend Improvements: To demonstrate an improvement over time in key metrics pertaining to a person’s quality of life. a. Achieve a Livability Index score of 60 or greater b. Measure, track and demonstrate an annual improving trend for above initiatives, stated thresholds and metrics. 2. Distributional Equity -- To foster equitable economic prosperity and expand access to community services to all. a. Identify and measure this category annually 3. Environmental Justice -- To address conditions that may lead to neighborhoods or populations being overburdened by environmental pollutants. a. Identify the priority environmental justice conditions and make plan to address. 4. Housing and Transportation Attainability -- To provide an adequate and diverse supply of location-efficient and attainable housing options for all. a. Explore and develop a workforce / attainable housing policy and/or guidelines Quality of Life & Livability 5. Civic and Community Engagement -- To promote a cohesive, and socially connected community and facilitate their participation in local decision -making. a. Achieve 90% engagement by COAB residents with this plan 6. Civil and Human Rights -- To uphold a process that ensures the civil and human rights of all people is fundamental a. Identify and measure this category 7. Ambient Noise & Light -- Minimize and manage ambient noise and light levels to protect public health and the integrity of ecological systems a. Set standards and understand effects of excessive exposure and mitigation techniques for ambient noise and ambient light * 8. Arts & Culture -- Provide a broad range of arts and cultural resources and activities that encourage community member participation, creative self-expression, and community revitalization a. Enhance public spaces, including public rights of way, roadsides, City buildings, beach accesses and other publicly held properties with art 9. Historic Preservation -- Preserve and reuse historic structures and sites to retain local, regional, and national history and heritage, and reinforce community character a. Define, identify, and create a recognition program for historical buildings 10. Social & Cultural Diversity -- Celebrate, respect, and represent the diverse social and cultural backgrounds of the community and its members a. Identify opportunities and figure out how to measure this category 11. Aging in the Community – Encourage active aging by optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age a. Identify opportunities and figure out how to measure this category 12. Active Living -- Enable adults and kids to maintain healthy, active lifestyles by integrating physical activity into their daily routines a. Install outdoor exercise equipment in city parks Quality of Life & Livability 13. Community Health -- Achieve positive health outcomes and minimize health risk factors associated with behaviors and poor indoor air quality in schools and homes a. Incorporate a framework of health & wellness for individuals and community health in AB’s overall approach to QOL and livability (e.g., blue zone work) 14. Food Access & Nutrition -- Ensure that adults and children of all income levels have physical and economic access to fresh and healthful food and have opportunities to learn about nutritious eating and food safety a. Identify opportunities and figure out how to measure this category 15. Safe Community – To address unsafe conditions and crime for all residents a. Continue to install sidewalks, safe and widened walkways and appropriate lighting in areas most needed b. Eliminate pedestrian and bicycle fatalities CROSSOVER WITH OTHER ATLANTIC BEACH PLANS & EFFORTS • Comprehensive Plan • Connectivity Plan • Parks Master Plan • Mayor’s Health & Wellness Task Force Quality of Life & Livability CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS City of Atlantic Beach quality of life metrics are pretty high currently with a LEED for Cities score of 86 out of 100 which is higher than the U.S. and global average. This makes sense as a fairly affluent, active lifestyle beach community. In the 2021-2022 Community Action Plan survey, there were a lot of comments and suggestions on the desire to continue to improve AB’s quality of life and suggestions on how to increase livability. With the goal of annually improving trend achievement towards the stated thresholds and with metrics in each quality-of-life subcategory, we need to continually improve how we accurately gather and measure data for metrics and how we inclusively engage all stakeholders in the community. Consistent high quality accurate data and methodology will lead to identifying and addressing where the city can improve its performance for all its residents. The following graphs are from the LEED for Cities & Communities Arc platform. Quality of Life & Livability PERFORMANCE METRICS Continued PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS To date, the city has implemented several actions to improve the quality of life and livability through the lens of this SRCAP starting in 2019. Highlighted efforts include: • Measurement – The City for the first time measured key metrics to better understand its quality of life of all its citizens. Through this process, it learned that some metrics may need to be adjusted to better fit AB’s dynamics (e.g., AB has very little violent crime so it might be more useful to measure crimes that the community is most worried about and wants to be addressed). • Environmental Justice -- The City is actively working on cleaning up trash from sites not previously known as dumping sites as well as reducing smell from wastewater plant. • Comprehensive Plan – The City has included higher density of residential units closer to transit hubs with an aim for Compact, Mixed Use and Transit Oriented Developments in its comprehensive plan to help address the need for affordable housing. • Civil and Human Rights – The City passed a Human Rights Ordinance and updated its parental leave policy. Water Water OVERVIEW & BENEFITS Water is the lifeline of any city. However, equity and access have been a major challenge in many cities. Water demand has been constantly increasing, stressing freshwater reserves, and increasing the cost of extraction, treatment, and distribution. This focus area addresses water at multiple levels – meeting demand, maintaining water quality, reducing water losses, capturing stormwater, and managing urban floods. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Water Access and Quality – To implement policies and infrastructure for the equitable supply of clean and safe water to all members of society, along with the treatment of wastewater and stormwater before it is released into the environment. a. Meet or exceed National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for 90 known contaminants and add status of water withdrawal areas in annual report b. Engage in restoring and maintaining critical water bodies and the buffer zones that protect those water bodies c. Ensure COAB has sufficient water storage and mitigates inland flooding during extreme weather events. d. Make 100% of COAB waterways fishable and swimmable e. No treated or non-point source pollution in Intercoastal Waterway, St. Johns River, or ocean. 2. Water Performance -- To track and monitor per-capita water consumption in the domestic sector which AB started to do in 2019. a. Reduce gross potable water consumption per capita by 40% including on lawns. 3. Integrated Water Management – To reduce freshwater consumption and encourages the shift to a net zero water city. a. Adopt a community wide specific water management plan to improve water efficiency and reductions by residential and commercial sectors b. Increase amount of reclaimed water access and use in AB c. Improve use of landscape and rainwater harvesting tools to capture rainwater for filtration or reuse. Water 4. Stormwater Management -- To capture the maximum possible quantity of rainwater to reduce runoff volume, prevent erosion and flooding, as well as recharge groundwater. a. Create and maintain a dynamic map of flooding incidences to which both staff and citizens can contribute 5. Smart Water Systems -- To improve operational efficiency, reduction in water losses, and monitoring of water flow within the city through the use of smart technologies such as smart meters. a. Improve the operational efficiency of the water management systems through use of smart technology. b. Continue to provide and improve equitable access to healthy drinking water and sanitation services. c. Review best practices that meet multiple objectives regarding water runoff and on-site retention, pervious and impervious surfaces, tree retention, beautification, etc. CROSSOVER WITH OTHER ATLANTIC BEACH PLANS & EFFORTS • Comprehensive Plan • Coastal Vulnerability Assessment • Adaptation Plan • Parks Master Plan CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS Currently the per capita water use in Atlantic Beach is 77 gallons per day or 28,105 gallons a year. According to the St. Johns Water Management District 2021 Annual Report, the average for the region is 115 gallons/per person and from NEEF, it is 87 gallons per person on average for the whole state of Florida. Consumption has been going down for a few reasons including increased use of reclaimed water, conservation measures, population changes, economic factors, rainfall and more yet there is more work to be done. Residents still use between 40-50% of their potable public water supply on their yards and could easily reduce indoor water use by 20 -30 gallons per day through behavior and water saving fixtures. In terms of wastewater and stormwater, the City has made progress yet also has some more work to do to reach the goals set and/or federal and state deadlines. For instance, by 2030 the city will not be allowed to release any treated and/or non-treated water into the ICW and it still has some waterbodies that are impaired and/or not safe to fish or swim in. With quality, conservation, and usability goals for potable water and water in our environment, it is vital to continue to improve our measurement of success metrics, education of the community and improve our strategies and actions each year so we can maintain clean and affordable drinkable water and healthy waterways. Water Here are a few graphs and data points that share the water consumption picture of Atlantic Beach. Source: COAB Arc score for LEED for Cities & Communities v4.1 certification Source: SJRWMD 2021 Annual Report PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS To date, the city has implemented several actions to improve its water efficiency, quality, and stormwater management. Highlighted efforts include: • Reclaimed Water – Any new development in or around AB is encouraged to use reclaimed water for landscape irrigation. The Atlantic Beach Country Club Golf Course is a good example of this effort. • Education – Through its website, the City posts water conservation and restrictions to inform its citizens about specific limitations and best practices. Green Building & Infrastructure Green Building & Infrastructure OVERVIEW & BENEFITS Buildings impact resource consumption, ecological systems, human health, and well-being and generate about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions from a city. Hence, green building practices are an essential component of a city’s sustainability strategy, and they are critical to minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring efficient use of environmental resources. Furthermore, since green building practices can enhance climate resiliency, these spaces will be better equipped to withstand the potential impacts of global climate change. This focus area encourages the design, construction, and retrofit of buildings, parks, open spaces, and landscapes using green practices. In this way Atlantic Beach will conserve energy and water, minimize waste, and create healthy and resilient environments for businesses, residents, and visitors. The implementation of green building practices will also keep utility and maintenance costs down, benefitting low-income residents and small businesses. Green infrastructure is also an integral component of a sustainable community. It can help communities protect the environment and human health while providing other social and economic benefits. In addition, green infrastructure and sustainable community approaches can help local governments that are struggling to pay for needed upgrades to stormwater and wastewater infrastructure. Benefits can include improved water quality, reduced municipal water use, flood risk mitigation, reduced ozone and pollution, increased recreation space and wildlife habitat, cost savings, increased property values, and jobs. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Green Building Policy & Incentives -- To encourage the design, construction or retrofit, and operations and maintenance of buildings using green building practices. a. Strive for 100% of new buildings meet green building and resiliency standards (GB&R). b. Strive for 100% of existing buildings are educated about GB&R standards and benefits and at least 50% actively striving to meet standards. c. Reduce total electricity consumption by 20%* d. Incentivize smaller home sustainable and resilient construction and renovation and consider accessory dwelling units and/or mother-in-law suites as a legal alternative residential dwelling in the city if lot size and parking can accommodate e. Enact a municipal building performance disclosure program f. Adopt policy for all new construction undertaken by the city government to achieve a green building certification level with resiliency best practices. Green Building & Infrastructure g. Incentivize and make it easy for all private sector buildings to obtain a level or higher green building certification, implement resilient best practices and measure annual performance. h. Consider requiring certification with resilient best practices for all buildings 5000 square feet and above. i. Launch a solar co-op program for AB residents in partnership with a nonprofit organization j. Pilot floating solar array in retention pond k. Keep the public appraised of city and homeowner insurance issues and availability l. Reduce the number and appearance of degraded or blighted properties 2. Green Infrastructure Policy & Incentives -- To encourage the design, construction or retrofit, and operations and maintenance of green infrastructure in the city and community. a. Promote and educate about city, community and individual green infrastructure opportunities and strategies. b. Assess green infrastructure functionality. c. Create a green infrastructure policy and incentives for both public and private sectors. d. Incentivize the use of pervious surfaces to reduce stormwater runoff. e. Incentivize permeable and recycled concrete installation. CROSSOVER WITH OTHER ATLANTIC BEACH PLANS & EFFORTS • Comprehensive Plan • Connectivity Plan • Parks Master Plan • Coastal VRA CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS The community and City of Atlantic Beach has made progress on considering, encouraging and installing some large and small green infrastructure projects. Thanks to the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment and Resilience Adaptation Plan, AB is aware of its most low lying and vulnerable areas and Green Building & Infrastructure critical facilities. This helps prioritize capital investment projects and the use of green infrastructure strategies where possible. Less is known about the status of holistic green building throughout AB. We learned through the LEED of Cities certification process that in terms of energy usage, the average annual kWh residential usage is 16,640 kWh which is almost 3,000 kWh more than the average Florida residential home. In terms of water usage, the average annual per capita is 28,226 gallons or 77.33 gallons per person per day. This is significantly better than the average SJRWMD annual per capita of 41,975 gallons or 115 gallons per person per day. Besides energy and water usage, we do not know much about the indoor environmental quality, materials and resources, resilience measures and/or how sustainable the residential site functions with trees, native plants, chemicals, etc. To our knowledge there is no 3rd party certified green building in AB, yet several have used ICF, SIPs, solar, and other measures. PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS This past year there was more focus given to asking about the energy performance of our municipal buildings and a direct request and assessment for how to make the Public Works building more energy efficient. How to make the Lifeguard Station more environmentally friendly was also brought up a few times. Many small green infrastructure projects from pervious pavements, bioretention and bioswales to rain gardens, more trees and greener streets and parking lots have been implemented recently on residential, commercial, and public property. 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 COAB Public Buildings Energy Usage (kWh) Sep 2019 –Sep 2020 Public Works Building Jordan Park Community Center Gail Baker Community Center Adele Grage Community Center City Hall Public Safety Building Utilities Office Building Total Energy Usage (kwh) Solid Waste Solid Waste OVERVIEW & BENEFITS Cities are large aggregators and consumers of materials and nutrients, accounting for the highest natural resource consumption affecting the environment and human health. The intent behind this focus area is to eliminate waste from mainstream operations and utilize it as a resource. Cities with their high concentration of resources, capital, data, and skills over a small geographic territory, provide opportunities to uniquely drive a transition from a linear to a circular economy This section addresses adequate waste management infrastructure by proper estimation of waste generation and diversion, prepares the city and community to transition from a linear to a circular economy, and cover strategies adopted to improve operational efficiency of the waste management system. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Waste Performance -- To support waste management and move towards net zero waste city. a. Reduce municipal solid waste (MSW) generated by 30% b. Actively work at becoming a “zero waste” community reporting action items and lessons learned in annual report. c. Start a home composting recognition program to increase landfill diversion rate and community engagement. 2. Special Waste Streams Management -- To divert special waste streams from landfill and incinerators and recover and recycle reusable materials. a. Increase MSW diverted from landfill by 30% b. Build/renovate a green and resilient certified community composting, special waste recycling, community gardening and education center (crossover) c. Achieve a solid waste recycling rate of 40% or greater d. Increase number of public recycling and composting bins Solid Waste e. Operate at least 3 specific waste management programs for critical waste stream types found in the community, such as: organic waste, hazardous waste, electronic waste, and construction and demolition waste f. Host semi-annual collection site to collect difficult to recycle, hazardous, and electronic waste items 3. Responsible Sourcing for Infrastructure -- To encourage use of products and materials for which life cycle information is available and that have been extracted and sourced in a responsible manner. a. Partner with local restaurants to improve food re-distribution and reduce food and solid waste 4. Material Recovery -- To recover materials from the waste stream which have a high value and provide mechanism for collection and channelization of these back to the producer thereby moving towards a circular economy. a. Offer community clean ups (after big events such as July 4, Memorial Day, etc.) to build community alliance while helping our city environment. b. Collect and re-use unused paint for local facade facelifts 5. Smart Waste Management Systems -- To improve operational efficiency of the waste management system. a. Develop or participate in a regional coalition that enhances the community’s ability to address waste management targets b. Implement communitywide incentives and/or enforce regulations ensuring that residents and businesses are working toward community waste reductions targets CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS According to 2020 data, AB’s waste diversion rate is approximately 26%. This means that through rethinking what we buy, reusing items, composting, and recycling, we are preventing 26% of our total waste generated from going to the landfill. The US national diversion rate is approximately 32.1% (2018 data). There are many strategies a community can take to improve its waste diversion (from landfill) rate including education, access to composting sites and ways to recycle non-mainstream items (e.g., electronics), and incentives/disincentives (e.g., recycling is free, but trash has a fee by weight). Solid Waste Diversion rate is calculated with the following formula: PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS The City of Atlantic Beach was the only City in Duval County that had continuous, uninterrupted trash and recycling pick up during COVID. This was a big success during a time when service and the commodity market had significant challenges. The city passed a Styrofoam ban for all city activities and is also looking at reducing single use plastic. The city runs a successful beach litter basket program to reduce trash on the beach. There is also a lot of interest in composting and gardening which can directly reduce waste. Transportation & Land Use Transportation & Land Use OVERVIEW & BENEFITS The transportation sector is responsible for a quarter of energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. Land use is the key driver of mobility in a city, and rapid urbanization has disrupted land use patterns, resulting in urban sprawl and increased dependency on personal, motorized vehicles. This focus area encourages Atlantic Beach to adopt an integrated approach towards urban planning through mixed-use development, efficient transportation, better connectivity, and engagement with stakeholders. This focus area measures the total vehicle miles travelled by their addresses, addresses land use, and encourages compact development and access to diverse uses which discourages urban sprawl and encourages people to walk or bike thereby improving public health. There is also a focus on use of different types of transportation modes available in a city and offers strategies for comfort and safety of commuters and addresses intermodal connectivity for easy access and transition from one mode of transport to another. Alternative Fuel Vehicles encourages a shift to alternative fuel vehicles by providing infrastructure such as charging stations for electric vehicles and through policies and incentives. Smart Mobility and Transportation Policy intends to promote efficiency in operation of transport systems, and behavior change, thereby reducing environmental impacts Finally, there is also an attempt to preserve and revive the urban fabric of a city by promoting engagement, community development and social and mental wellbeing as well as encourages preservation of historic structures and sites and focuses on growth and redevelopment for infill and other priority locations. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Transportation Performance -- To promote non-motorized transportation, encourage use of public transit and reduce pollution from transportation sector. a. Reduce total VMT and emissions from vehicles by 20% b. Achieve majority of trips made by foot, bike, carpooling, or transit. 2. Compact, Mixed Use and Transit Oriented Development -- To encourage compact and mixed-use development, high level of connectivity within city or community and encourage walking, biking, and transit use. a. Increase number of lots that retain trees (not denuded due to construction) by 25% Transportation & Land Use 3. Access to Quality Transit -- To encourage use of diverse transportation modes in order to reduce the reliance on personal vehicles within city or community. a. Achieve and maintain a gold ranking for the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community Score. b. Improve transit connections to employment and activity centers from underserved areas and consider car-sharing programs to low-income residents using various tools. 4. Alternative Fuel Vehicles -- To reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to fossil fuel vehicles. a. Transition City fleet vehicles to low/zero emission b. Improve infrastructure and amenities for bikers and pedestrians. c. Partner with community organizations to deliver bike and pedestrian safety education. d. Install necessary infrastructure to support the use of EVs and alternative fuel vehicles and consider solar for the EV chargers 5. Smart Mobility and Transportation Policy -- To promote efficient operation of transport systems, user facilitation, behavior change and reduced environmental impact through smart technologies and transportation policies. a. Attain a “good” rating on the Air Quality Index (AQI) 365 days/year b. Study the feasibility of a regional congestion fee for travel during peak hours. c. Limit and/or discourage idling engines. d. Increase mass transit adoption and improve micro-mobility 6. High Priority Site -- To preserve historic structures and sites and focus growth and redevelopment to infill and other priority locations. a. Define and identify number of historic homes/buildings in AB and incentivize preservation b. Incentivize renovations versus tear downs by 25%. c. Create a recognition program for historical buildings, trees, structures, and features to retain character of AB, its eclectic nature, and honoring history. Transportation & Land Use d. Demonstrate a measurable reduction in vulnerability and/or increase in resiliency to 3 Community wide risks (e.g., flooding, heat, tornados, hurricanes) and 1 at-risk population group (e.g., mobile home) e. Assess tools to address overdevelopment of lots by looking at zoning codes and how considering the value of “communal” trees on private property that provide co-benefits to neighbors and the community at large. CROSSOVER WITH OTHER ATLANTIC BEACH PLANS & EFFORTS • Comprehensive Plan • Connectivity Plan • Parks Master Plan • Complete Streets CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS Most of AB’s transportation is for work and short trips for errands. The total vehicle miles traveled in 2020 was approximately 156,545 on 11 of our main roads which equates to about 11.12 VMT per person. There is a growth in golf carts, electric micro-mobility, and electric vehicles use and adoption. Traffic and idling patterns could be improved upon according to feedback in the SRCAP survey. For land use, there is a lot of redevelopments happening given that AB is a near fully developed municipality where the predominant land use is residential consisting of stable and well-established neighborhoods. Lots are being overdeveloped to the full lot line allowed currently by zoning codes resulting in many projects choosing to remove trees that are benefiting neighbors and the community at large. Data taken from 2020 FDOT traffic data: https://tdaappsprod.dot.state.fl.us/fto/ Transportation & Land Use PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS The City has diligently been working on parking issues and keeping all forms of transportation safe. Added sidewalks through complete streets plan has helped increase pedestrian and bicycle opportunities. The city worked hard on its pervious impervious ratio ordinance. It increased the ability for each lot to percolate more storm and rainwater but has had some unintended consequences as well such as more on street parking due to single car driveways to allow more house square footage and swales that may have replaced some tree. Governance, Community Outreach & Education Governance, Community Outreach & Education OVERVIEW & BENEFITS With good organizational excellence, governance, community outreach and education, and communications, a city can elevate achievement and success rates across multiple goals and objectives. With the City leading by example, committing to a transparent process and data gathering, an annual review and progress update of this plan, as well as continuing to improve measurement and actively listening, learning, and engaging the community, we will make steady progress toward our goals. GOALS & POTENTIAL STRATEGIES 1. Good Governance & Oversight – Oversee, recognize, and regularly check in regarding proposed outcomes and good practices that elevate achievement and success rates across multiple goals and objectives. a. Review and report out on status and progress of SRCAP annually and educate accordingly b. Improve measurement, performance, and reporting year over year for each focus area and annual report for both city and community wide metrics c. Achieve and maintain best quality bond rating d. Designate a CSRO/Office and add sustainability and resiliency to employee’s workplan and performance metrics (2025) e. Set short- and medium-term milestone targets for each focus area to show progress toward long term goals f. Demonstrate cohesive and socially connected community by achieving diversity in selection and appointment to citizen committees and boards (e.g., represent the makeup of the population) g. Achieve a Best Quality or High-Quality bond rating with 1 or more of the 3 major rating agencies 2. Innovation -- Encourage and reward creative, effective approaches to enhancing a community’s environmental, social, and/or economic sustainability. a. Learn and implement best practices and innovations from other local governments, private sector, nonprofits, and academia Governance, Community Outreach & Education 3. Community Engagement – Deep and representative community engagement makes for better and more robust solutions. a. Achieve 90% engagement by COAB residents with this plan b. Uphold a process that ensures the civil and human rights of all people is fundamental c. Grow number of people interested and engaged in making AB more sustainable and resilient through partnerships, high touch, and high-tech outreach tactics, identifying local and regional like- minded assets, inviting participation by Subject Matter Experts, attracting volunteers, and starting an AB Sustainability & Resiliency Steward and Ambassador program 4. Education – It is vital to educate, learn from and listen to residents, city staff, community partners, businesses, and subject matter experts to proactively adjust to new information and progress toward goals. a. Start a recognition program that recognizes positive behavior through yard signs and annual awards program (e.g., green certified business/home, NWF certified yard; saved a tree, highest diverter, etc.) b. Create a centralized virtual space and physical local sustainability / composting / recycling / gardening center with educational programming so residents and businesses know where to go to learn about and engage in sustainability and resiliency efforts. Through this space, center, staff, and ESC, create an education and outreach campaign to engage residents and businesses in sustainability, resiliency and climate change related impacts that include each focus area. 5. Leadership Commitments – Help a city keeping leading by example and being solution-oriented by continuing to stretch and learn. a. Continue to commit to leadership commitments aligned to plan (e.g., Monarch Butterfly Pledge; Ban on Glycophosphate; Under 2 Degrees MOU) at least one per year/multi-year CROSSOVER WITH OTHER ATLANTIC BEACH PLANS & EFFORTS • Comprehensive Plan • Parks Master Plan Governance, Community Outreach & Education CURRENT STATUS & PERFORMANCE METRICS The current status of sustainability and resilience governance, community outreach and education are good yet, like with every city, there is room for improvement. From the Community Action Plan survey, we learned that the AB community wants more outreach and education about the topics in this plan. With residents busy and distracted by many sources of information, we must get creative and be persistent on how we engage and inspire behavior change. Below are a few results from the SRCAP survey that conclude that citizens for the most part trust the City to listen, they don’t know much about what the city is doing in terms of resiliency planning or sustainability, many want to be involved more and offered their email, and many (73% of respondents) take some sort of environmentally friendly action in the home or individually. Governance, Community Outreach & Education PERFORMANCE METRICS Continued PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS The City and ESC’s Outreach Committee has been hard at work educating and engaging the community through programs like the beach litter basket and tree trimmer verified program to “Call Before you Cut” and welcome packet initiatives. Both are also very active on social media pushing out educational information that is useful to residents. APPENDIX • Glossary of terms • Sustainable Development Goals Alignment • Community survey results