Elgin’s sustainability action plan, created by over 100 residents, has garnered City Council approval, but which of the projects become reality in the coming years will depend on the availability of funding.
The plan lists 108 objectives such as encouraging the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the city fleet, developing “green workforce training, reviewing the city’s building and energy codes, creating incentives for rain gardens, increasing accessibility to open areas and requiring local businesses to recycle a minimum of 30 percent of their waste within five years.
In a memo to the council, Aaron Cosentino, management analyst for Elgin, said there economic benefits in using less resources and social benefits in developing neighborhoods that are “denser, economically vibrant and pedestrian friendly.”
“As these attribute become more prevalent, Elgin will become a more livable community and a destination for residents, businesses and visitors,” he wrote.
The city began working on the plan with a consultant in 2008, but then decided it could save money and increase community input by using partnerships instead.
Groups of residents spent the past 14 months creating the plan, which is broken down into nine focus areas — recycling and waste management, transportation and mobility, healthy living and community education, green infrastructure, water resources, alternative energy, green building technology, urban design and economic development.
Among the recommendations is the creation of a commission to help oversee sustainability efforts and implementation. Which objectives are completed and in what order will depend on funding and future council approval. The city plans to apply for grants for some of the projects.
Cosentino said some are low-cost and are more about education and partnerships, while others — like distributing energy conservation kits — will require funding. The city sets aside $30,000 in annual revenue from the Grand Victoria Casino for sustainability efforts and also gives out Neighborhood Improvement grants for community-initiated projects that are required to fall in line with the city’s sustainability goals.
Councilwoman Anna Moeller called the plan a “very comprehensive study and process.”
“I think this is putting Elgin on the map…nationally,” she said. “We’re becoming recognized as a leader in sustainability and I’m proud Elgin is becoming known for that.”
Mayor Dave Kaptain applauded the many residents who pitched in to create the plan.
“The people that volunteered I think you need to understand they put in hundreds of hours to provide a product back to the city of Elgin that gave us a cash value in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “It’s really the first major effort by our community to put out a product like this other than our comprehensive plan.”
To view the entire plan visit www.cityofelgin.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=13163 .
