Ohio Balanced Growth Program

1. Ohio Balanced Growth Program Progress and New Projects Kirby Date, AICP, Cleveland State University Sandra Kosek-Sills, Ohio Lake Erie Commission

2. Balanced Growth in Ohio • Linking Land Use and Water Resources • Planning Framework • Document • Projects • Planning Process • Best Local Land Use Practices - Recommendations for local government - Case Studies - Statewide Program

10. Land Use & Lake Erie • Lake Erie Protection & Restoration Plan – 2000 • Outlined serious land use problems that diminish the health of the lake, and limit its benefits to the people of Ohio • Balanced Growth Blue Ribbon Task Force • 2002-2004

11. Linking Land Use and Lake Erie Best Local Land Use Practices A Planning Framework

12. Balanced Growth Watershed Planning • voluntary • locally led • incentive-based • support through alignment of state policies and programs

13. Watershed Planning Partnerships • Piloted in 2006 for 3 years with OWDA $ • Pilot Watersheds • Chagrin River (Chagrin River Watershed Partners) • Chippewa Creek (Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization) • Swan Creek (Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments) • Upper West Branch of Rocky River (Medina SWCD) • It was a test: Will it work? • All four of the initial projects received full state endorsement by 9/09: Yes, it can work.

14. State of Ohio Partners Ohio Lake Erie Commission Ohio Water Resources Council Office of the Governor Public Works Commission Public Utilities Commission Ohio Water Development Authority Dept of Agriculture Dept of Development Dept of Health Dept of Natural Resources Dept of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency

15. Not pictured: Big Creek (Cuyahoga)

16. Priority Conservation Area • Locally designated areas targeted for protection and restoration • Critically important ecological, recreational, heritage, agricultural, and public access areas

17. Priority Development Area • Locally designated areas targeted for development or redevelopment • Maximize development potential and efficient use of infrastructure • Promote revitalization of existing urban areas

18. Priority Agricultural Area • Locally designated areas targeted for agriculture • Protect critical farmland and efficiently use infrastructure • Optional designation based on local desire

19. Review and Endorsement • “significant” local support prior to endorsement: 75% of… • population • land area • number of communities

20. Balanced Growth Strategy • State activity to update and improve Balanced Growth Program • Action Items adopted at June 23, 2010 Lake Erie Commission meeting • Draft Balanced Growth Strategy is also available • Highest priority action: updating and enhancing the special incentives available to participating communities with state endorsed Watershed Balanced Growth Plans

21. Linking Land Use and Lake Erie Best Local Land Use Practices A Planning Framework

22. Location of development for minimum impact Management and control of storm water and erosion Protection of stream and wetland areas so they can do their job as storm water infrastructure Protection of scenic, historic and natural resources to help retain our “great place” Local Governments Can Have a Big Impact on Watershed and Community Quality

23. Top Priority Best Local Land Use Practices 1. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Have a comprehensive plan that meets minimum standards; update it every 3 to 5 years

24. 2. COMPACT DEVELOPMENT Apply Compact Development where appropriate Top Priority Best Local Land Use Practices

25. Compact Development • Residential, commercial or mixed use • Strong neighborhood design • Pedestrian walkability • Range of housing choices • Range of transportation choices

26. Top Priority Best Local Land Use Practices 3. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT • Adopt storm water management and erosion control regulations for design and construction

27. 4. STREAM AND WETLAND SETBACKS Adopt stream and wetland setback zoning regulations Top Priority Best Local Land Use Practices

28. Stream And Wetland Setbacks • Zoning setback similar to front and side yards • Improves storm drainage infrastructure function of creeks and waterways • Width determined by drainage area of the sub watershed, or wetland category • Typical setback provisions apply (variances, grandfathering, enforcement)

29. 5.CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT Apply Conservation Development, with adequate standards, where appropriate Top Priority Best Local Land Use Practices

30. Conventional Conservation Development • 40-50% Permanent Open Space • Quality Open Space • Resource Protection • Appropriate Development Intensity

31. Stream setback in a conservation development

32. MEADOW PROTECTION (NATURAL AREAS ESTABLISHMENT) Allow natural meadows, succession under controlled conditions Top Priority Best Local Land Use Practices

34. Best Local Land Use Practices 11 Guidance Documents Comprehensive Planning Conservation Development Compact Development Transfer of Development Rights Steep Slope Protection Historic Preservation Source Water Protection Woodland Protection Access Management Brownfields Redevelopment Scenic Protection Agricultural Protection

35. Decision Making Process for Site Planning in the Lake Erie Basin Guiding Principles: • Design to established project objectives • Integrate existing water and terrestrial resources into site design • Fix “dysfunctional” streams • Focus on controlling the flow – pollution control will follow • “Start at the Source” to manage runoff • Control all runoff per site conditions: infiltrate & evapotranspirate & detain • Use “Triple bottom line” approach to identify multi-objective benefits: community & environment & financial

36. Detention Detention Detention

37. Statewide BLLUP Program 2010+ Year • State Agency Steering Committee – project oversight • Statewide Advisory Group – broad review of BLLUP documents • Ohio Regions Strategies – identify local providers and needed support for their missions • Message and Materials Development – statewide relevance • Network Development – statewide network of providers and others to provide support, education, training, materials, message • Ongoing case study and workshop development

38. Further Discussion: Urban and Redevelopment Areas • Priorities for redevelopment: storm water, compact development, conservation development, stream setbacks • Foreclosure/vacant properties • Urban Agriculture • Urban industrial riverfront redevelopment • Suggested case studies • Priorities going forward

39. Further Discussion: Exurban Areas • Vacant/Foreclosed properties? • Abandoned development projects? • Infill opportunities • Suggested case studies • Support for promoting Best Local Land Use Practices? • Top priorities going forward

40. Next Steps: • Detailed Review of BLLUP Sections • Ohio Regions interviews • Message Development

41. Best Local Land Use Practices – Resources Available • Web site www.balancedgrowth.ohio.gov • Best Local Land Use Practices document – issues, guidance, recommendations • Model and Example regulations • Education and technical workshops • Case studies • DVD for elected officials and business interests • Ongoing technical assistance

42. Ed Hammett Executive Director Sandra Kosek-Sills Environmental Specialist lakeeriecommission@ameritech.net 419.245.2514 Gail Hesse Administrator Gail.Hesse@epa.state.oh.us 614.644.2146 Kirby Date, AICP Best Local Land Use Practices Program Manager 216.687.5477 k.date@csuohio.edu