Principles and Practice

The Six Principles for Better Development encompass a wide range of conservation and planning tools and concepts. Below we expand on each.

1. Conserve Natural and Scenic Assets

The first principle of better development is identifying where not to build. Successful communities identify areas that are most important in terms of natural and scenic resources develop policies to protect these features. The linchpin of protecting natural areas is to protect the working landscape of farms and forests that enhance scenic views, protect natural habitat, and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

2. Maintain a clear edge between the town and countryside

The only way to maintain rural character is to rein in sprawl. This requires successfully directing growth into cohesive communities, such as cities, towns, and villages, while limiting the scale and shaping the design of development in rural areas so that it fits the rural setting.

3. Build liveable communities

No rural protection program can work unless people find attractive and convenient places to live in the areas designated for growth. Growing in, not out means rejuvenating downtowns and existing neighborhoods, and carefully extending the community. Parks and open space, proximity to shopping and services, choice of residential options, places to walk, and inviting streetscapes can deliver a high quality of life in a compact development pattern. Strengthening the downtown core is key, as is reworking the business strip.

4. Preserve historic resources

The Valley region's rich history is evident everywhere. Historic assests should be identified and protected, and developers should be encouraged to rehabilitate and reuse historic structures. A significant challenge is that many of the region's most important historical resources are rural. Americans all over the continent are interested in the Valley's historic context; the staging ground for westward emigration in frontier days and the site of extensive fighting int he Civil War. Historic preservation is good business.

5.Respect local character in new construction

New development can either complement the character of Shenandoah Valley communities, or it can turn the Valley into "Anyplace USA." Localities can develop standards that encourage good development. Concepts include setting the stand with public buildings, asking franchises and chain stores to fit in, landscaping commercial areas, controling signs, and disguising communications towers.

6. Reduce the impact of the car

Reducing the impact of the car means providing more transportation choice: sidewalks, trails, bikeways, and public transportation. It also means designing transporation facilities for people not just vehicles. Standards for highways, neighborhood streets, roads, bridges, parking lots, and other facilities should be reexamined to make them more human scale and community friendly.

(From: The State of the Valley report, Valley Conservation Council, 2003)