1. The Legislature recognizes the need for innovative strategies of planning and development that:

(a) Address the anticipated needs and demands of continued urbanization and the corresponding need to protect environmentally sensitive areas; and

(b) Will allow the development of less populous regions of this State if such regions:

(1) Seek increased economic development; and

(2) Have sufficient resources of land and water to accommodate development in a manner that is environmentally sound.

2. The Legislature further recognizes that innovative strategies of planning and development may be superior to conventional strategies of planning and development with respect to:

(a) Protecting environmentally sensitive areas;

(b) Maintaining the economic viability of agricultural and other predominantly rural land uses; and

(c) Providing cost-effective public facilities and services.

3. It is the intent of the Legislature that each comprehensive regional policy plan adopted or amended pursuant to this chapter should set forth a process of planning which:

(a) Allows for:

(1) The efficient use of land within existing urban areas; and

(2) The conversion of rural lands to other uses, if such other uses are appropriate and consistent with the provisions of this chapter and the master plan of each affected city and county.

(b) Uses innovative and flexible strategies of planning and development and creative techniques of land use planning which promote sustainable growth, including, without limitation, establishment of new towns, the maintenance of open space and mixed-use development.

4. It is the further intent of the Legislature that when the governing body of a local government adopts a master plan or zoning regulation, the plan or regulation should promote a strategy of maximizing the use of existing facilities and services through redevelopment, interspersion of new housing and businesses in established neighborhoods and other mechanisms for urban revitalization.

5. It is the further intent of the Legislature that the construction of public facilities and the provision of services necessary to support development should be coordinated with activities of development to ensure that demand for such facilities and services can be met at the time the demand is created. In carrying out this intent, local and regional governmental entities are encouraged to construct public facilities, including, without limitation, buildings that are certified in accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building System or its equivalent, provide services or carry out development in phases. Public facilities constructed and services provided to accommodate new development should be consistent with plans for capital improvements prepared pursuant to NRS 278.0226.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 1926; A 2005, 1583)