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

Ohio Balanced Growth Program

Progress and New ProjectsKirby Date, AICP, Cleveland State University

Sandra Kosek-Sills, 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- Recommendations for local government

- Case Studies- Statewide Program









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


Linking Land Use and Lake Erie

A Planning Framework

Best Local Land Use Practices


Balanced Growth Watershed Planning

• voluntary• locally led• incentive-based• support through alignment

of state policies and programs


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.


State of Ohio PartnersOhio Lake Erie Commission

Dept of AgricultureDept of DevelopmentDept of HealthDept of Natural

ResourcesDept of TransportationEnvironmental

Protection Agency

Ohio Water Resources Council

Office of the GovernorPublic Works

CommissionPublic Utilities

CommissionOhio Water Development

Authority


Not pictured: Big Creek (Cuyahoga)


Priority Conservation Area

• Locally designated areas targeted for protection and restoration

• Critically important ecological, recreational, heritage, agricultural, and public access areas


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


Priority Agricultural Area

• Locally designated areas targeted for agriculture

• Protect critical farmland and efficiently use infrastructure

• Optional designation based on local desire


Review and Endorsement

– “significant” local support prior to endorsement: 75% of…• population • land area • number of communities


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


Linking Land Use and Lake Erie

A Planning Framework

Best Local Land Use Practices


• 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


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


2. COMPACT DEVELOPMENT

• Apply Compact Development where appropriate



Compact Development

• Residential, commercial or mixed use

• Strong neighborhood design

• Pedestrian walkability

• Range of housing choices

• Range of transportation choices


3. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

Adopt storm water management and erosion control regulations for design and construction



4. STREAM AND WETLAND SETBACKS

• Adopt stream and wetland setback zoning regulations



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)


5.CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT

• Apply Conservation Development, with adequate standards, where appropriate



Conventional Conservation Development

•40-50% Permanent Open Space•Quality Open Space•Resource Protection•Appropriate Development Intensity


Stream setback in a conservation development


6. MEADOW PROTECTION

(NATURAL AREAS ESTABLISHMENT)

• Allow natural meadows, succession under controlled conditions




Comprehensive PlanningConservation 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 Practices11 Guidance Documents


Decision Making Process for Site Planning in the Lake Erie BasinGuiding 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

Step 2: Develop Site Layout Plan

Step 3: Site and Select Storm Water Controls

Step 1: Define Project Objectives and Performance Standards

START

STOP

Step 4: Assess Cost Effectiveness of Site Layout

Acceptable Site Layout?

NO

YES

Step 5: Prepare Final Improvement Plan


Detention

Detention

Dete

ntio

n


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


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


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


Next Steps:

• Detailed Review of BLLUP Sections• Ohio Regions interviews• Message Development


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

http://www.balancedgrowth.ohio.gov/


Ed HammettExecutive DirectorSandra Kosek-SillsEnvironmental [email protected]

Gail [email protected]

Kirby Date, AICPBest Local Land Use PracticesProgram [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


