Report on Proposed Residential Developments in Salem Lakes and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary of Proposals

The Salem Lakes Plan Commission convened a special meeting to review three conceptual residential development proposals submitted by Bear Development. The proposals varied significantly in density, infrastructure, and housing type, prompting diverse feedback from the commission. This report analyzes each proposal through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Proposal 1: Silver Lake Parcels

Project Overview

• Location: Silver Lake, west of Highway B and east of Lakeview Drive.
• Concept: A 19-lot single-family subdivision with an additional 3 lots along Dells Road.
• Infrastructure: Designed with a rural profile, utilizing roadside ditches instead of curb and gutter systems.

Analysis of SDG Alignment

The discussion surrounding the Silver Lake Parcels centered on housing density, a key component of sustainable urban planning.

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This proposal presented a direct conflict between different approaches to sustainable urbanization (Target 11.3).
   • Commissioners expressed a preference for lower density to preserve the area’s character, reflecting concerns about urban sprawl.
   • Conversely, village staff had reportedly encouraged higher density to support local services like schools, which aligns with creating inclusive and sustainable human settlements.
   • The developer noted that both a low-density (5-lot) and high-density (21-lot) plan were financially viable, highlighting the economic flexibility in achieving community housing goals.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The meeting itself, allowing for a debate among commissioners with differing views, exemplifies responsive and participatory decision-making at the local level (Target 16.7), which is fundamental to sustainable development.

Proposal 2: Salem Hills Addition

Project Overview

• Location: Northeast corner of Highway 50 and Highway B.
• Concept: An 11-lot single-family home development with large lot sizes ranging from one to 12 acres.
• Infrastructure: Lots would be served by private wells, private septic systems, and a private road.

Analysis of SDG Alignment

This development focuses on low-density, large-lot housing, which has specific implications for infrastructure and economic goals.

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The developer stated that market demand exists for this type of housing and that the project would “get some nice tax base going for the village,” directly contributing to local economic growth (Target 8.1).
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The plan’s reliance on private wells and septic systems necessitates careful planning and oversight to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources and sanitation, in line with the principles of Target 6.1 (safe drinking water) and 6.2 (adequate sanitation).
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The use of a private road to service the majority of the subdivision demonstrates a localized infrastructure solution (Target 9.1) that minimizes public expenditure but requires private management.

Proposal 3: STH 83 Parcels

Project Overview

• Location: West side of Highway 83 (Antioch Road) at Falcon Way.
• Concept: A mixed-density development featuring 46 single-family lots and 68 duplex homes (34 buildings), with one parcel reserved for commercial use.
• Infrastructure: Rural street cross-section with a sidewalk on one side of the streets and connection to the municipal sanitary sewer service.

Analysis of SDG Alignment

This proposal for a higher-density, mixed-housing development addresses multiple sustainability targets but also raises complex planning challenges.

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities:
   • The plan offers a mix of housing types (single-family and duplex), which can enhance housing affordability and availability (Target 11.1). The developer noted a market for duplexes as single-family home prices rise.
   • The inclusion of a sidewalk supports the creation of safe and inclusive public spaces (Target 11.7).
   • The debate over rezoning valuable commercial property for residential use underscores the challenge of integrated land-use planning (Target 11.3).
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: By connecting to the Salem Lakes sanitary sewer service, the development supports improved wastewater management and water quality protection (Target 6.3), a significant advantage for a high-density project.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The discussion regarding a potential public connection road to Highway F highlights the critical need for resilient and integrated infrastructure planning. The debate weighed the benefits of improved traffic flow and emergency access against the potential for creating disruptive cut-through traffic, a key consideration for sustainable infrastructure (Target 9.1).

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article focuses entirely on urban and community planning, specifically the proposal of three new residential developments in Salem Lakes. The discussions revolve around housing density, infrastructure like roads and sewers, preserving the community’s character, and the process of approving new settlements. These are all core components of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Specific SDG Targets

Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services

• The article discusses proposals for various types of housing, including “single-family homes” and “duplex homes.” The mention that “there is a market for duplexes currently as prices of single family homes rise” points towards addressing housing affordability. Furthermore, the article details the provision of basic services for these new developments, such as connections to “Salem Lakes sanitary sewer service,” “private wells and private septic,” and infrastructure like roads with “roadside ditches with no curb and gutter.”

Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management

• The entire article describes the local planning process. A “Salem Lakes Plan Commission” holds a special meeting to hear and discuss development proposals. The article details the mixed reactions and differing opinions of the commissioners (“I don’t like to see things compact,” vs. “very consistent with existing Silver Lake development”). It also notes the presence of citizens (“about 35 audience members”), which indicates a mechanism for participatory planning, even though public comment was not allowed at this preliminary stage. This demonstrates an active process of planning and managing human settlement development.

Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management

• The article specifies the waste management solutions for the proposed developments. For the STH 83 Parcels, it is stated that “These homes would be connected to Salem Lakes sanitary sewer service,” indicating a managed municipal system. In contrast, the Salem Hills Addition lots “would be served by private wells and private septic.” These details relate directly to the management of wastewater, a key component of a city’s environmental impact.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicator for Target 11.1: Number and type of new housing units

• The article provides specific numbers that can be used as indicators for the expansion of housing stock. These include the “19-lot subdivision,” an “11-lot single-family home development,” and a plan for “46 single-family lots and 68 duplex homes.” These figures can be used to track the creation of new dwellings.

Indicator for Target 11.1: Proportion of new housing with access to basic services

• The article implies this indicator by specifying how the new homes will be serviced. For example, the statement that the STH 83 homes “would be connected to Salem Lakes sanitary sewer service” provides a measurable data point on the provision of managed sanitation services to new residential units.

Indicator for Target 11.3: Existence of a participatory planning process

• The article’s description of the “Salem Lakes Plan Commission” meeting, where development proposals are publicly presented and debated by elected or appointed officials, serves as an indicator of a functioning structure for human settlement planning. The mention of specific commissioner votes and opinions (e.g., “Commission Chairman John Day said…”), as well as public attendance, demonstrates this process in action.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: westofthei.com