Ohio Balanced Growth Program

1. Ohio Balanced Growth Program Codes and Ordinances Workshop: Recommendations for Development and Site Layout Kirby Date, AICP, Cleveland State University

9. 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

10. RECOMMENDATIONS: Conservation Development • A planned unit development with special standards for preserving resources • Residential, commercial, institutional or mixed use • Usually an option, with incentives • Concentrates permitted development capacity on the site, while conserving the rest in open space • Based on “neutral density” concept

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

12. Benefits of Conservation Development • Property values are enhanced or remain the same • 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

27. Examples of Conservation Development • 12 municipalities and 21 townships in Northeast Ohio alone, including: • Aurora City • Hudson City • Hiram Village and Township • Pittsfield Township • …..

28. Summary: Recommendations for Subdivision Design • For sites greater than 20-25 acres, adopt Conservation Development • By-right, streamlined review • Quality open space, permanently protected • Appropriate density, moderate bonuses • Dovetail with resource protection: stream setbacks, woodland protection, floodplain protection; priorities • Include incentives

29. Communities • Summit County: supports conservation development - incentives: reduced road requirements - similar development process - open space is defined • Coventry Township: no real places to apply • City of Norton: does have areas where CD could apply

30. RECOMMENDATIONS: Common Access Drives • Up to 5 lots on one common drive • Requires management agreement • Provides access management benefits • Reduced pavement • Retains frontage

31. Communities • Summit County: permits common access drives, discourages flag lots • Coventry Township: n/a – typically a county issue • Norton: RU-1 district might be a good place to implement (larger lots)

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

33. Benefits of Compact Development • Provides diverse set of housing/commercial products for diverse buyer markets • Helps to revitalize small towns and existing neighborhoods • Fits well into new “lifestyle center” projects • Provides an exciting civic environment, enhancing community character • When implemented across a watershed, will improve overall runoff characteristics of the watershed

41. Cottage Development • Applies to small sites, 1-5 acres • Focus on small homes, 1000 sf • Good design, • Central greenspace, room for storm water LID • One parcel or separate parcels • Infill or redevelopment • Kansas City, northwest US

42. Examples of Compact Development • City of Hudson: First and Main • City of Shaker Heights: Lee/Chagrin • City of Cleveland • Cleveland Heights • Your town center!

43. Summary: Recommendations for Compact Development • Implement for new, redevelopment • Density 6 to 8 units per acre • Use design guidelines • Mix uses/housing types • Consider cottage development for small infill sites

44. Communities • Summit County: n/a • Coventry Township: could consider cottage development (needs infrastructure) • Norton: Compact development would be appropriate – cluster district, max. 10 units per acre, might be useful - IT district allows mixed uses - may want to broaden allowable commercial uses to assist revitalization in neighborhoods

45. RECOMMENDATIONS: 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) • Floodplain regs also matter

46. Benefits of Riparian and Wetland Setbacks • Provide free storm water and flood protection infrastructure • Filter and settle out pollutants • Reduce capital and maintenance costs • Work better than constructed solutions • Enhance design quality of development

48. Riparian setback in a conservation development

49. Wetland Protection in a Conservation Development

50. Examples of Riparian Setbacks in Communities • 49 communities and 4 counties have adopted setback regulations in NE Ohio • Data pending in rest of Basin • Auburn Township, 25 to 120 feet • City of Independence, 25 to 300 feet • City of Aurora, 25 to 120 feet • City of Green, 25 to 300 feet • Lake County, 25 to 120 feet