Chagrin River Watershed Partners

Chagrin River Watershed Partners Formed in 1996 by

watershed communities. Operations supported by

Member dues and grants. Work directly with 37

cities, villages, counties, townships, and park districts to minimize flooding and erosion as communities grow.

Focus on improving development practices and site design to reduce long term infrastructure costs.

CRWP Sponsoring Members

Ohio Land Stewardship

What Does CRWP Do?Member Services:

Grants for open space and stormwater management.Development plan review and technical testimony.Model regulation adoption and implementation.Landowner assistance.

Watershed Initiatives: Activities to support the public health and safety basis for member planning and zoning.Watershed planningStormwater retrofit and demonstration projectsDam removal and stream restoration projectsResearch and monitoring of stormwater practices

National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System Science Collaborative: Evaluating Stormwater Solutions in Ohio’s Lake Erie Basin

• NOAA Funds administered by the University of New Hampshire

• Research addressing local coastal management problems

• Researchers and intended users work together

Project Components

Monitoring Acquire BMP hydrology data to populate models

Modeling Characterize hydrologic performance under current and projected precipitation patterns

Tools and Guidance Case studies, model codes, revised design

standards, credit recommendations

DesignLID demonstration projects

Model Code Updates• Riparian/wetland setbacks

• No updates• Ordinance and resolution versions available

from CRWP• Off Street parking: Revised February 2014• Conservation development

• Partner with Lake County Planning and Community Development and Cleveland State University

• Revised code available in June 2014• Tree codes: Kirby Date at CSU working on

updates

Riparian & Wetland SetbacksZoning tool to limit

development within specific distances of streams and wetlands to protect property and limit infrastructure costs.

Controls location of soil disturbing activities.

Does not apply to existing structures and uses.

Variances available, as with all zoning codes.

14 (45%) of CRWP Member

communities have adopted riparian

and wetland setback codes.

Model Parking Code• Space maximums &

minimums by land use• Bicycle parking standards• Shared parking & land

banking• Allow bioretention &

permeable pavement• CRWP discussing with

Bainbridge, Willoughby, Chardon City, Geauga County.

• Adopted by Mentor and Mayfield

Conservation Development

• Preservation of rural character, natural resources, historical structures

• 50% recommended protected open space (40% minimum)

• Less infrastructure to maintain

• Density-neutral development or modest density bonuses

Conservation Development• Flexible, easy for communities to tailor

Dark skies lighting, bike and pedestrian access, groundwater

• User-friendly density calculation instead of yield plan

• Less onerous for community review & developers

• Useable for communities within existing zoning framework

Model code available by June 2014

Tree Codes• Multiple versions:

• Protect large trees• Forestry/Timber Harvest

• Kirby Date, Cleveland State University working on revisions to recommendations for Ohio Balanced Growth Program

• Work group convened in early April • Work group members more concerned about

compaction of soils than preservation of existing trees• Ability and survivability for replanting efforts.

Phase II: Draft MS4 Permit• Draft permit issued November 27, 2013.  • Renewal notification package to communities

90 days NOI submittal $200 application fee

• Possible New Requirements: 2 years for update to current CGP standards 2 years to update Storm Water Management Program. Use of TMDL water quality recommendations in BMP

selection

CRWP Plan for Updating the Model Stormwater Management Plan and Codes• Inventory the number and types of TMDLs. • Identify BMPs to address TMDL in revised stormwater

management program. • Summarize BMPs by type of TMDL; the summary will

recognize if the BMPs are currently included in the SWMP or codes or if they would be additional recommendations.

• Convene a technical review committee to review/discuss identified BMPs and any suggested changes to the SWMP/codes.

• Revise the model codes and SWMP and submit to Ohio EPA, interested communities, and Northeast Ohio Storm Water Training Council for review and comment.

Codes Checklist• Supplement to the Ohio

Balanced Growth Program’s Best Local Land Use Practices

• Development Regulations• Parking Lot Design• Flood Damage Reduction• Stream and Wetland Setbacks• Flexible Subdivision Design• Compact Development• Tree and Woodland Protection• Natural Areas

Evaluate: Number of required parking

spaces Use of parking maximums Width of parking stalls and

aisles

Allow: Pervious paving materials Shared parking and land

banking Landscaping to be used as

stormwater management.

Parking Lot Design

Interested in more in depth training on the

NERR System Science Collaborative Project?

Sign clipboard at the front of the room after the presentation and you will receive a short e-mail about topics of

interest.

Amy H. BrennanChagrin River Watershed Partners, [email protected](440) 975-3870www.crwp.org

Ohio Balanced Growth Program

New Tools for Plans and Codes Review

Kirby Date, AICP, Cleveland State University

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Best Local Land Use Practices:

Encourage voluntary implementation of recommended practices for improved watershed quality and economic benefit.• Start and participate in watershed planning

partnerships• Align comprehensive plans with BG

watershed plans• Update plans and codes with best practices• Incentivize developers and property owners

to use best practices

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Recommended Best Local Land Use Practices

• Comprehensive Planning

• Compact Development

• Conservation Development

• Storm Water Management

• Stream, Wetland and Floodplain Protection

• Natural Areas Establishment

• Source Water Protection

• Woodland Protection• Steep Slope

Protection• Transfer of

Development Rights• Agricultural Land

Protection• Brownfields

Redevelopment• Historic Protection• Scenic Protection• Access Management

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Checklist for Code Review• Development

Regulations• Parking Lot

Design• Minor

Subdivisions• Flood Damage

Reduction Regulations

• Stream and Wetland Protection

• Flexible Subdivision Design

• Compact Development

• Tree and Woodland Protection

• Steep Slope Protection

• Natural Areas Establishment and Management

• Land Conservation Incentives

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

CHECKLIST: FLEXIBLE SUBDIVISION DESIGN

ApplicabilityDensity and Lot SizesOpen Space RequirementsResource ProtectionAdministration and Review

(AKA Conservation Development)

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Conventional Conservation Development

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

Intensity

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Flexible Subdivision Design• Allow flexible layouts and lot

sizes to accommodate resource protection and restoration

• Provide for neutral density with underlying zoning, using proven density calculation method

• Require 40% permanently protected open space at a minimum

• Define quality open space with clear criteria

• Set limits on development of open space

• Make the code by-right

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

CHECKLIST: TREE AND WOODLAND PROTECTION

ApplicabilityPre-Design/Pre-ApplicationDesignConstructionAdministration

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Benefits of Tree Cover• Filter and manage

storm water, reduce erosion, protect steep slopes, wetlands and riparian areas

• Enhance property values across community and onsite

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Tree and Woodland Protection: NEW APPROACH COMING1) Protect or restore

% of site soils2) Plan for % tree

cover on site in 30 years (new or existing)

3) Identify and specifically protect Landmark Trees only

(Heritage/Champion)

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

RESOURCEShttp://

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

BLLUP Technical Assistance• 24 hours free

technical assistance available to individual communities

• South Euclid: review of PUD code and available sites

• Medina Township: Comprehensive Plan Review and RFP

• 17 assistance areas to date

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Resources: BLLUP Guidance Document

• Economic and environmental benefit explained

• Terminology and concepts

• Key decision-points for leaders

• Recommendations for implementation

• Ohio examples and case studies

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Resources: Case Studies and Example Projects

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Resources: Example Codes and Matrices

Also see http://www.crwp.org

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Additional BLLUP Resources• Checklists for review of

codes and plans• Video and update• Bibliography of

research demonstrating economic benefit of the practices

balancedgrowth.ohio.gov

Gail HesseExecutive DirectorSandra Kosek-SillsEnvironmental Specialist419-621-2040 (office)419-357-2775 (cell)[email protected]

Brian HallAdministratorwww.ohiodnr.com/owrc

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