About MSGC ~ Mission | Objectives

MISSION Our mission is to support safe and healthy communities, sustainable economies, conservation of farm, forest and ranch lands, and protection of natural resources and wildlife habitat.

OBJECTIVES These objectives should be viewed as an interrelated whole. Achieving any one objective will likely be tied to significant progress in others. For this reason, single objectives or partial abstractions of these objectives should not be used as representative of the objectives of this coalition.

1. Increase public understanding of growth management issues, develop effective democratic discourse, and promote grassroots citizen participation in decision making regarding growth in our state.

2. Develop a more sustainable relationship between human residents and the ecosystems of our region:

Shift patterns of urban expansion from low density sprawl to more compact neighborhoods with a mix of uses;

Identify smart transportation design options that will encourage safe and compact pedestrian & transit-oriented development;

Ensure that the built and natural environment are integrated in a sustainable and equitable manner that supports neighborhood livability and preserves natural resources;

Promote land use policies that preserve the ecological integrity of natural areas and public lands.

3. Ensure development that protects, maintains and restores the social, cultural and economic vitality of communities:

Protect rural community vitality and agricultural and ranch land;

Ensure that development is fiscally responsible and connected to high-quality municipal services;

Ensure that housing is located to provide easy and equitable access to employment, schools and services;

Advocate for affordable housing as an essential component of sustainable communities.

Encourage mixed use development;

Support sustainable economic development.

STRATEGIES

Provide a forum to raise public awareness of how sprawl affects Montana's communities, economy and quality of life.
Build and support regional and grassroots initiatives, coalitions and partnerships to promote smart growth policies.
Develop the capacity to provide technical and precedent-setting legal assistance to Montana communities.
Develop new "model" codes or plans that can be used locally to help implement smart growth strategies.
Promote legislation and administrative policy that provides a legal framework for smart growth.
Work with urban and rural neighborhoods to promote smart growth principles.

Montana Smart Growth Coalition — PO Box 543 Helena, MT 59624 — 406-449-6086 — smartgrowth@mcn.net