Ohio Balanced Growth Program Program Overview Sandra Kosek-Sills PhD Ohio Lake Erie Commission

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov Balanced Growth in Ohio Linking Land Use and Water Resources Planning Framework –Document –Projects –Planning Process Best Local Land Use Practices

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

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 Balanced Growth Task Force “…the development of northern Ohio often occurred without fully understanding or anticipating the impact this development would have on the natural and social environment. Thousands of individual decisions by communities accumulated to create this situation. There has been no framework for individuals and communities to come together to plan for their future and consider the cumulative impact of their development decisions on the health of watersheds.”

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 Balanced Growth Planning Framework Decision-making about how local and state policies and investments should be made in the context of watersheds. Detailed guidance for regional planning by local communities grouped by watershed

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? Designation of Priority Conservation Areas Designation of Priority Development Areas Designation of Priority Agricultural Areas (where applicable) Local and state participation and approval 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 Project Components GIS-based decision support system Local government buy-in State agency coordination Review and endorsement process –“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 (6 items) –Planning support (7 items) Best Local Land Use Practices (5 items) Program Innovations Under Development –Urban Redevelopment Options (3 items) –Regulatory Mechanisms in Support of Balanced Growth (3 items) –Public and Private Equity Sharing (3 items) –General Program Innovations (2 items)

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

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov One Maritime Plaza, 4 th Floor Toledo, Ohio Ed Hammett Executive Director Sandra Kosek-Sills PhD Balanced Growth Coordinator Environmental Specialist sandrakosek- Gail Hesse Administrator Kirby Date, AICP Best Local Land Use Practices Program Manager