1992 Montgomery County
Open-Space Plan

CHAPTER THREE (Part A)

TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS

I. INTRODUCTION (Part A)

II. GOVERNMENT-INITIATED TOOLS CURRENTLY USED BY THE TOWN OR THE COUNTY (Part B)

III. LANDOWNER-INITIATED TOOLS CURRENTLY USED BY THE TOWN OR THE COUNTY (Part B)

IV. GOVERNMENT-INITIATED TOOLS NOT CURRENTLY USED BY THE TOWN OR THE COUNTY (Part C)

V. LANDOWNER-INITIATED TOOLS NOT CURRENTLY USED BY THE TOWN OR THE COUNTY (Part C)

Changing the Shape of Tomorrow's Development

I. INTRODUCTION

The tools and techniques described and evaluated in this chapter represent existing and potential strategies for the protection of critical resources and open space within the Town of Blacksburg and Montgomery County. This is by no means a comprehensive listing; over time more tools and techniques may be added to the Initiative as necessary. The purpose of this listing is to provide the reader with a brief yet comprehensive understanding of the various planning tools and techniques that are used in Virginia as well as some that are not yet legal in the State.

In addition to providing the reader with background information, this chapter gives an evaluation of some of the limitations and strengths inherent in these tools. These limitations and strengths have been compiled from a number of sources, including text books, other localities' experiences, practical knowledge, and reports by individuals who have made their own evaluations. The listing of limitations and strengths is in no way exhaustive, nor do these strengths and limitations necessarily result from any given applications of the tool.

Also provided in this chapter is information on whether Blacksburg or Montgomery County utilizes the tool or technique and, if so, how it is used. If a tool is not used by the Town or County, an attempt is made to provide a short explanation of where and how it is used in other parts of Virginia.

The tools and techniques are divided into four broad categories: government-initiated tools currently used by the Town or County; landowner-initiated tools currently used by the Town or County; government-initiated tools that currently are not used by the Town or County; and landowner-initiated tools that currently are not used by the Town or County.

Tables 3.1 and 3.2 accent the information provided in the text and help the reader understand how the different tools and techniques address the themes raised at the Round-One Workshops. The tools and techniques are contained in the rows of the matrices, which are divided into the broad categories mentioned above. Land trusts are described within the chapter, but are not contained in the tables because land trusts are mechanisms to implement the tools rather than tools in themselves. The matrices' columns consist of two categories: the themes receiving thirteen or more points at the workshops (see Chapter Two), and Additional Issues. Reading left to right, the themes are listed in descending order based on the weight assigned them by the workshops. Themes not listed on the matrices include unique and natural flora, education, tax issues, housing issues, and other issues.

In Tables 3.1 and 3.2 all tools and techniques have been rated for their potential effectiveness in addressing the themes and Additional Issues; a high rating for a specific theme or issue does not mean the tool is currently, has been, or will be used to its full potential. In addition, the ratings are subjective, and are based on the research performed while writing this chapter, the opinions of the planning staffs from the Town, County, and NRVPDC, and input from the citizen committees from Blacksburg and Montgomery County.

Although most of the columns in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 are self-explanatory, some may need additional explanation to avoid misunderstandings. The column titled "Protect Landowner Rights" is intended to address the effects a tool has on the "rights" of landowners who would have to follow the measures outlined. The landowner-rights column does not address how the tools affect the rights of the adjacent landowner or general public. A high measure of effectiveness in the landowner-rights column means a landowner maintains all or most of the inherent rights of property ownership without substantial restrictions. The "Insure Orderly Growth and Development" column pertains to how well each tool or technique provides for orderly growth and development at the Town and County scale, not at the individual development level. The column titled "Address Road and Traffic Concerns" rates the effectiveness of each tool or technique in providing safe, well-planned roads. The columns titled "Identify Recreational Locations" and "Identify Recreational Activities" are similar in nature but slightly different. Identifying a location for recreation consists of selecting land or water resources suitable for recreational purposes, while identifying a recreational activity refers to the identification of an actual resource for recreation (a playground or ball field). The "Amount of Administration or Enforcement" column rates the various tools and techniques based on the ease of developing, adopting, implementing, or enforcing them. The "Cost of Implementation" column rates each tool or technique for the time, resources, and capital required by an organization or agency to develop and manage the tool or technique. The "Duration of Protection" column rates each tool or technique for its political longevity and the amount of time protection will be provided once the tool or technique is applied.

This chapter is designed to be used with the information provided in Chapters Two and Four. After reviewing the information provided in these chapters, the recommendations in Chapter Five were developed to address how the Town and County can better protect and conserve open space and critical resources.

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Last Updated 19 September 2001
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