Local Resiliency Plans – Existing Conditions Guides and Plan Template
Cover Sheet
As part of the local resiliency planning process, local partners are being asked to support development of an Existing Conditions section of the Local Resiliency Plan that presents a high level snapshot of social, economic and environmental conditions related to community resiliency. The Existing Conditions Guides and Existing Conditions Chapter Template are intended to provide you with tools to easily gather the information needed, and to develop a concise, but thorough, narrative that presents baseline information needed to support development of your resiliency strategy. Resiliency plans and projects address many different topics; hence, the information solicited is wide-ranging. That said, much of the information sought should be easily obtainable from state and federal databases (e.g. the U.S. Census, American Community Survey, etc.) as well as local planning resources such as Comprehensive Plans, Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plans, Watershed Master Plans, etc. The information submitted in response to Existing Conditions Guides will support an assessment process that ultimately will result in information critical to strategy and project development.
Resiliency Sectors
The guides and plan template are based on the six resiliency sectors identified in the Colorado Resiliency Framework:
- Community
- Economic
- Health and Social
- Housing
- Infrastructure
- Watersheds and Natural Resources
Each guide includes a set of sub-elements that you will be asked to provide information on, as well as space for you to identify key resources and needs related to that sector. The existing conditions section in your community’s Local Resiliency Plan will be organized around these six sectors. Further information on the sectors can be found in the Colorado Resiliency Framework.
Using the Existing Conditions Guides
The Existing Conditions Guides are organized to help gather information that will allow you to easily flesh out the Existing Conditions Chapter Template for your community. It is not expected that any one individual will gather all of the required elements. Rather, those with specific expertise should be able to gathersufficientinformation to develop a narrative for each sector. It is expected that each completed guide will be no more than two pages in length. Communities should do their best to develop content for all six resiliency sectors, although it is expected that some requested information may be unavailable. If possible, recommend a point-of-contact who may be able to assist with information you cannot provide. Wherever possible, please provide citations or other references (e.g. hyperlinks/URLs) to enable others to retrieve the information provided in the worksheet independently.
Completing the Existing Conditions Chapter Template
Once content has been developed for each resiliency sector in the Existing Conditions Guides, it will be used to develop a plan narrative. The Existing Conditions Chapter Template provides the framework for that narrative. This is not anticipated to be an all-encompassing analysis, but rather to provide enough information to give a plan user a sense of the community coming in to the resiliency planning process. Narrative content for each resiliency sector should be no more than one to two pages in length. The template provides guidance to the community on where to place text and suggested guidelines for level of effort. Please know that this section of the plan will be a collaborative effort and the local planning team assigned to support you will assist in tailoring the section based on feedback received throughout the planning process.
Existing Conditions Guide no. 1
General Information
A.County Name: Boulder County
/B.Total Population:313,000
C.County Seat:Boulder
/D.Total Area (sq.mi):726 sq. ft.
E.Cities and Towns:
■List community names, populations, areas■Boulder: 105,122
■Longmont: 90,237
■Lafayette: 27,081
■Erie: 20,943
■Louisville: 20,112
■Superior: 12,855
■Lyons: 2,108 /
F.Unincorporated Communities:
■List community names, populations, areas■Gunbarrel: 9,263
■Niwot: 4,006
■Coal Creek: 2,400
■Pine Brook Hill: 983
Map:Provide a generalized map, showing:
- Urban vs. rural areas
- Communities listed above
- Major natural features (e.g. rivers, mountains)
- Major roads and transportation corridors
- Protected Areas
Existing Conditions Guide no. 2
Community
Point of Contact: ______Phone no.:______E-mail:______
A.General Governance:
Describe general form of county and municipal government, and types of services provided by county, cities and towns, and special districts. Describe primary revenue sources for county, cities and towns, and special districts. Broadly describe local services or revenues directly provided by state or federal government.B.Land Use and Emergency Management Planning:
Describe local land use and emergency management planning, including relevant codes, plans and programs (e.g. zoning code, comprehensive land use plan, hazard mitigation plan, emergency operations plan, supply cache program). Identify links between different plans and agencies, gaps in planning, and any areas where there are either local deficiencies or where local government and service providers are dependent on state and/or federal resources.C.Demographics:
Provide a general picture of the local population, including spatial distribution, age distribution, distribution of racial/ethnic groups, socio-economic distribution, net migration, and migration patterns. Back up with Census, ACS, or other relevant data wherever possible.D.Cultural Resources:
Describe major cultural assets in the county contributing to its identity and cohesiveness, including both private and public facilities (e.g. museums, libraries, concert halls…). Depending on context, certain facilities with a strong economic function may also play an important cultural role and should be noted here (potential examples include a historic auction hall, a train station, a forest…)E.Community Non-Profit Organizations:
Describe the system of non-governmental organizations that enhance the social cohesion of the community, including cultural, religious, business, sports and other community groups. Describe the general health and capacity of key social organizations to support emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency. As may be possible, quantify the number, membership, and impact of these organizations.- Capabilities and Resources - Community:
- Ordinances related to emergency preparedness measures and/or land use measures that mitigate effects of natural disasters.
- Coordinated land use and hazard mitigation plans.
- Local resources dedicated to emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, or provision of specialized post-disaster services.
- Outreach programs to isolated areas and/or demographic groups.
- Coordination between local government agencies and community groups in developing emergency preparedness, response and recovery capabilities.
G.Gaps and Needs – Community:
Based on the findings for each sub-sector (A to E) above, as well as identified capabilities and resources (F), describe any factors that present challenges to community resiliency, and any areas where changes in community conditions would significantly improve resiliency.Existing Conditions Guide no. 3
Economic
Point of Contact: ______Phone no.:______E-mail:______
A.Major Industries and Employers:
Describe the historic and current major industries driving the economy in the county. Describe the largest companies and institutions that currently provide the most employment. List the top employers and the top industries by total employment in the county. Provide perspective on current economic development efforts and likely future major industries and employers. Supporting data may be available from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Bureau of Economic Activity (BEA), and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, or the local Blueprint economic plan.B.Industrial and Employment Diversification:
Describe whether the county’s economy is heavily dependent on a small number of primary employers/industries, or whether a variety of businesses and industries are active and drive a multi-faceted economy.C.Household Employment and Income:
Describe the factors affecting trends in employment and income in the county.Provide current and historic unemployment rates and employment-to-population rates. Provide median household income, poverty rates, and percentage of population earning less than 60% of the median income at the county level, and as available by city and census tract. Supporting data may be found in the Census, ACS, and BLS data.D.Distribution of Employment and Income:
Describe the geographic distribution of employment and income in the county. If applicable, identify any noticeable geographic concentrations of high-wage/high-skill and low-wage/low-skill employment. Describe the flow of labor between different communities in the county, and between the county and areas outside the county. If possible, provide the number of local workers who commute out-of-county, and the number of local jobs filled by workers who commute from outside the county. Use Census, ACS and BLS, BEA and other relevant data as available. Map income by census tract if possible.- Key Resources and Capabilities - Economic:
F.Gaps and Needs – Economic:
Based on the findings for each sub-sector (A to D) above, as well as identified capabilities and resources (E), describe any factors that present challenges to community resiliency, and any areas where changes in economic conditions would significantly improve resiliency.Existing Conditions Guide no. 4
Health and Social
Point of Contact: ______Phone no.:______E-mail:______
A.Access to Basic Services:
Describe the general availability and providers of health and social services in the county, and the geographic distribution of service locations. Identify any geographic concentrations of services, and list and locate critical facilities such as hospitals and fire stations. Consider providing a map.B.Educational Opportunity and Attainment:
Describe educational opportunities available in the county at all levels, including as relevant infant/toddler care, preschool, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and vocational/adult education. Provide the percentages of the county population at different levels of educational attainment (e.g. no high school diploma, high school diploma, college diploma or higher).C.Vulnerable Populations - Social Inclusion and Exclusion Factors:
Describe key factors driving the ability of individuals and households to obtaining or understanding information and accessing resources that enable them to participate in the local community and economy, including efforts geared toward emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency. Provide Census and ACS-based statistics including percentage of low- and moderate-income households, percentage of population for whom English is/is not a first language, percentage of single-parent vs. 2-parent households, population with access vs. no access/limited access to a vehicle, population with access vs. no access/limited access to a telephone, minority vs. nonminority population, disabled vs. non-disabled population. As may be possible, identify geographic concentrations of vulnerable populations that face specific challenges (e.g. English fluency, vehicle availability, disability etc.).D.Crime:
Identify geographic concentrations of violent crime and property crime. Supporting data may be available from local law enforcement.- Key Resources and Capabilities – Health and Social:
F.Gaps and Needs – Health and Social:
Based on the findings for each sub-sector (A to D) above, as well as identified capabilities and resources (E), describe any factors that present challenges to community resiliency, and any areas where changes in health and social conditions would significantly improve resiliency.Existing Conditions Guide no. 5
Housing
Point of Contact: ______Phone no.:______E-mail:______
A.Housing Availability and Affordability:
Describe the general types and quantities of housing available in the county. Provide vacancy rate estimates for the county as a whole and as available for specific communities. If applicable, discuss area-specific housing challenges, such as the urban vs. rural situation, or challenges such as a housing shortage that may be more acute in certain parts of the county but not others. As available, provide estimates of the local homeless and institutionalized populations.B.Housing Quality and Accessibility:
Describe the distribution of housing types, and any known housing quality issues in the county. Provide estimates of the percentage of housing that is in mobile homes, multifamily units, and single-family units. Discuss whether the available mix of housing meets the needs of the local population, and whether quality housing at reasonable costs is available in locations that provide ready access to economic opportunities as well as health and social services.C.Housing Insurance:
Discuss any known issues in obtaining housing insurance/coverage for county residents. Provide estimates of the percentage of homeowners and renters who are insured, as well as insurance coverage for hazard risks not typically included in standard homeowners insurance (e.g. flood).D.Emergency Housing:
Describe any resources available for emergency housing, including hotels, motels, shelters, and facilities that could be converted to shelters in an emergency. Estimate the number of hotel, motel, and long-term stay rooms available. List any existing homeless shelter locations, and identified emergency shelter locations.- Key Resources and Capabilities - Housing:
- Programs to boost the development of low-cost and/or affordable housing.
- Assistance to homeless individuals and households.
- Assistance to vulnerable individuals and households facing temporary housing crises.
- Resources and equipment to provide temporary housing to impacted households following a disaster.
F.Gaps and Needs – Housing:
Based on the findings for each sub-sector (A to D) above, as well as identified capabilities and resources (E), describe any factors that present challenges to community resiliency, and any areas where changes in housing conditions would significantly improve resiliency.Existing Conditions Guide no. 6
Infrastructure
Point of Contact: ______Phone no.:______E-mail:______
A.Government Facilities:
List the location of critical government facilities to ensure the continuity of government services prior to, during and following an emergency event. These facilities may include seats of government, administrative buildings, emergency services locations, libraries, and others as identified by local government. If available, base this list on facilities included in the Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources lists of the local FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan.B.Transportation:
Identify major transportation routes through the county in general and critical corridors for emergency services in particular. Identify choke-points and possible system vulnerabilities, such as structurally deficient bridges, narrow mountain passes, or others.C.Water and Wastewater:
Describe local water and wastewater provision. List any critical facilities for supply, treatment, distribution and disposal of potable water, rain water and wastewater. Identify critical facilities subject to specific physical vulnerabilities (e.g. wastewater treatment plant located below base flood elevation).D.Energy:
Describe local energy generation and distribution, including electricity, natural gas and liquid fuel. Describe supply lines for different types of energy, including local extraction and generation if applicable. Identify any major vulnerabilities (or, conversely, beneficial redundancies) in energy supply lines.E.Communications:
Describe local telecommunications service and infrastructure, including availability of high-speed internet. Describe geographic differences in availability of telecommunications services. Describe communications infrastructure developed and used specifically for emergency services in the county. Describe vulnerabilities in infrastructure that may lead to temporary loss of service during and following an emergency event or disaster.F.Solid Waste Management:
Describe the system used to manage solid waste generated in the county, including means and location of disposal and/or recycling. Identify any vulnerabilities that could lead to a temporary loss of service during and following an emergency event or disaster.- Key Resources and Capabilities - Infrastructure:
H.Gaps and Needs – Infrastructure:
Based on the findings for each sub-sector (A to F) above, as well as identified capabilities and resources (G), describe any factors that present challenges to community resiliency, and any areas where changes in infrastructure conditions would significantly improve resiliency.Existing Conditions Guide no. 7
Watersheds and Natural Resources
Point of Contact: ______Phone no.:______E-mail:______
A.Environment and Climate:
Describe the typical climate, noting extreme weather events that affect the area and any seasonal patterns of note.B.Land Use/Land Cover Patterns and Change:
Describe major patterns of land use and land cover, identifying the main community types and their distribution and extent. Describe the trajectory of recent change. Identify any land cover types that are particularly sensitive to disturbance or are threatened, describing the source of the threat.C.Water Resources: