Ohio Balanced Growth Program Program Overview and Update Kirby Date, AICP Cleveland State University

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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

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Inefficiencies Create Lost Opportunities Inefficient land use creates a tax burden on communities, impedes redevelopment, and has an unnecessary impact on water resources - including Lake Erie, the Ohio River, and drinking water sources throughout Ohio.

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov “Growing” Communities US Census Population 1950 – 1,389,582 US Census Population 2002 – 1,393,978 Cuyahoga Co Land Use Maps – Cuyahoga Co Planning Commission

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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 –

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Linking Land Use and Lake Erie A Planning Framework Best Local Land Use Practices

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Balanced Growth Watershed Planning voluntary locally led incentive-based support through alignment of state policies and programs

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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.

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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Not pictured: Big Creek (Cuyahoga)

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov What does a plan contain? Priority Conservation Areas Priority Development Areas Priority Agricultural Areas (where applicable) Local and state participation and endorsement Process for maintaining and updating the plan –Full Table of Contents available online

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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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

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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Review and Endorsement –“significant” local support prior to endorsement: 75% of… population land area number of communities

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Strategy Action Items State Support for Watershed Planning Partnerships –Implementation support of endorsed plans –Planning support Best Local Land Use Practices Program Innovations Under Development –Urban Redevelopment Options –Regulatory Mechanisms in Support of Balanced Growth –Public and Private Equity Sharing –General Program Innovations

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Linking Land Use and Lake Erie A Planning Framework Best Local Land Use Practices

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Comprehensive Planning: the Key to Balance Sets development and conservation goals in an organized fashion Plans for long-term financial stability Resolves tradeoffs up-front Provides for future logical, consistent decision making Legal stability: logical justification of decisions Sets a framework for implementation

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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Compact Development Residential, commercial or mixed use Strong neighborhood design Pedestrian walkability Range of housing choices Range of transportation choices

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

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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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)

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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov ConventionalConservation Development 40-50% Permanent Open Space Quality Open Space Resource Protection Appropriate Development Intensity

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Stream setback in a conservation development

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Benefits of Conservation Development Property values are enhanced or remain the same Faster absorption – better resale values/time Diversity of housing product to accommodate diverse buyer market Protects natural, scenic and cultural resources Can reduce storm drainage, infrastructure costs Reduces impervious surface Open space provides options for riparian, wetland, and storm water protection Provides opportunity to restore/enhance vegetation

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 6.MEADOW PROTECTION (NATURAL AREAS ESTABLISHMENT) Allow natural meadows, succession under controlled conditions Top Priority Best Local Land Use Practices

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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 Best Local Land Use Practices 11 Guidance Documents

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 2010 Case Studies Project Objectives Resolve real and perceived barriers to acceptance of best practices by: –Developers –Local Governments –Buyers / tenants Illustrate how properly-applied best practices can reduce costs and enhance property values Provide adequate detail to support cost-effective implementation Be repeatable for on-going education

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov “Mythbusters” Factsheet Objective: –Question commonly accepted development procedures –Present documented support of alternative development procedures Factsheet Contents –6 different common development storm water control practice areas –Myths/facts for each

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov 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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Detention

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Statewide BLLUP Program 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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Best Local Land Use Practices – Resources Available Web site 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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov What Citizens Can Do Visit the Ohio Balanced Growth web site Talk to your community elected and planning/zoning commission officials about Balanced Growth Encourage them to view the video on the web site Encourage them to adopt the Six Recommended Practices Encourage them to participate in Balanced Growth Watershed Partnerships

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov What is Your Community Doing? Review comprehensive plan (if there is one) for policies related to development, conservation, streams, floodplains, woodlands, neighborhood development Look at the PUD zoning code for evidence of open space and resource protection Look for zoning codes related to all of these areas Ask if your community is an MS4, and find out what they are doing to educate the public about storm water regulations

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Ed Hammett Executive Director Sandra Kosek-Sills Environmental Specialist net Gail Hesse Administrator Kirby Date, AICP Best Local Land Use Practices Program Manager

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Questions? Kirby Date, AICP Tel