New Franklin 2012

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CITY OF NEW FRANKLIN

2011

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

PLANNING GRANT

APPLICATION


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Connecting Communities

PLANNING GRANT

APPLICATIONDeadline: October 14, 2011


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C o n n e c t i n g C o m m u n i t i e s P L A N N I N G G R A N T

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The Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study developed the Connecting Communities Initiative toencourage the integration of land use and transportation. The Connecting Communities Planning Grant Program

has been created to further this goal.

AMATS has made $100,000 available for grants up to $50,000 to be awarded through the Connecting CommunitiesPlanning Grant Program. Applications may have more than one sponsor. Applications for no more than two grants

may be submitted per sponsor. A selection committee, The Connecting Communities Planning Grant Task Force, willbe charged with reviewing sponsors applications and making recommendations to the Policy Committee.

The program is designed to provide communities with funding to develop transportation plans that will lead toprojects eligible for AMATS funds. The grant program is intended to fund transportation plans that focus on livability,

multimodal connections, and are consistent with the Connecting Communities Initiative.

Connecting Communities Planning Grant applications should:

Promote more transportation choices Enhance economic competitiveness

Support and value existing neighborhoods

Applications may be sent by email, mail or hand delivered, and must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October

14, 2011. Grant awards will be determined by the Policy Committee on December 7, 2011. For more information

contact Heather Davis Reidl at [email protected] or 330-375-2436.

Email, mail or hand deliver this complete

application and attachments to:

Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation StudyRE: Planning Grant806 CitiCenter

146 S. High St.Akron, Ohio 44308

Telephone: 330. 375.2436

www.amatsplanning.org/programs/amats-planning-grant/


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Eligibility

Eligible activities are those that promote economicdevelopment as well as encourage alternatives to

single occupant vehicles, such as:

Development of transportation/land-use

plans for corridors or neighborhoods, such asstreetscape and access management plans

Bicycle, pedestrian, and transit-orienteddevelopment plans

Those that are consistent with the LivabilityPrinciples, shown on the sidebar on this page

To be eligible for a Connecting Communities

Planning Grant, a project must: Be intended for transportation planning

Be site specific

Result in transportation and land use

improvements that are consistent with theConnecting Communities Initiative

Ineligible activities include:

Preliminary Engineering

Final Design

Preparation of environmental documentation Right-of-way acquisition

Preparation of bid documents Construction

AMATS Connecting Communities Planning Grant

2010 grant recipients can be viewed here:www.amatsplanning.org/programs/amats-

planning-grant

Livability Principles

Provide more transportation choices.

Develop safe, reliable, and economicaltransportation choices to decrease

household transportation costs, reduceour nations dependence on foreign oil,improve air quality, reduce greenhouse

gas emissions, and promote publichealth.

Enhance economic competitiveness.Improve economic competitivenessthrough reliable and timely access to

employment centers, educational op-portunities, services and other basic

needs by workers, as well as expandedbusiness access to markets.

Support and value existing communi-

ties and neighborhoods.

Target federal funding toward existingcommunitiesthrough strategies like

transit-oriented, mixed-use develop-ment, and land recyclingto increase

community revitalization and the effi-ciency of public works investments andsafeguard rural landscapes. Enhance the

unique characteristics of all communitiesby investing in healthy, safe, and walk-

able neighborhoodsrural, urban, orsuburban.


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Connecting Communities is a guide to integrate land use and transportation planning, decision making, andinvestments in the Akron metropolitan area. It is intended to be used as a framework for targeting investments and

regional cooperation. For a copy of the report, visit www.amatsplanning.org/programs/connecting-communities/.Applications should be consistent with one or more of these recommendations.

The recommendations ofConnecting Communities are:

1. Improve pedestrian planning and facilities through targeted investments.

2. Improve bicycle planning and facilities through targeted investments.

3. Enhance public transportation systems to meet the needs of current users and be attractive to new users.

4. Incorporate complete streets principles into land use and transportation decisions.

5. Implement land use policies that improve community cohesion and reduce urban sprawl.

6. Integrate environmental planning into land use and transportation planning.

7. Improve inter-agency coordination on regional planning.

8. Create a planning grant program to implement Connecting Communities.

WALK BIKE RIDE COMPLETE

DEVELOP CONSERVE COORDINATE PLAN


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Application

Scoring and Timeline Applications will be evaluated by the Connecting Communities Planning Grant Task Forcebeginning immediately after the October 14, 2011 application deadline. The Task Force was created to score, review,and recommend projects to the AMATS Policy Committee, which will select the grant recipients at its December 7,

2011 meeting.

1. Applicant/Sponsor (Implementing Governmental Agency Only). If sponsor is a township please provide a letter

of support from County Government or County Engineer (letters of support should be limited to 3).

2. Project Co-Sponsor (If applicable. Please indicate which agency and contact person will be the lead.)

Community/Agency

Contact Person

Phone Number

Fax Number

Email Address

Mailing Address

Community/Agency

Contact Person

Phone Number

Fax Number

Email Address

Mailing Address

City of New Franklin

Mark Kochheiser

330-882-4611

330-882-7052

[email protected]

5611 Manchester Road Akron, Ohio 44319


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3. Connecting Communities Planning Study

4. Project Map Please include a map of the proposed project planning area. If the map is not included in themain document of your application, please list the attached image filenames and include the files as an attach-

ment when submitting.

Image Filenames (if applicable):

(Please answer the remaining questions in no more than one typed page each and attach to this application)

5. Describe the planning area boundaries and size. Describe the existing transportation and land use issues. Definethe problems facing the area. (10 points)

6. Define the purpose of the study, and the expected outcomes (access management, streetscapes, pedestrian fa-

cilities). (10 points)

7. Discuss how this study addresses the following three principles (See page 3 for more detail):

a. Provide more transportation choices (5 points)b. Enhance economic competitiveness (5 points)

c. Support and value existing communities and neighborhoods(10 points)

8. Explain the publics involvement in the study. What residents or groups will be included and invited to provide

input? (5 points)

9. How will your community plan to implement this planning study? Describe potential funding sources that couldbe used for implementation. (10 points)

Planning Study Title

Brief Description

Summary of Expected

Final Product(s)

Towpath Trail/Portage Lakes State Park Connector Trail

The City of New Franklin is proposing a walking/bicycling trail to connect

the Towpath Trail to Portage Lakes State Park. This trail would run mainly

along city roads between two green spaces and provide a direct connection

to one of Ohio's busiest state parks. It would provide for better multi-

modal access throughout the area and link up with the City of Green's trail

network.

A transportation planning document describing the feasibility and process of

creating a bi-modal transit system to link two existing recreational areas.

Trail_Connector.pdf

Trail Connector 3-D.pdf


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5. Describe the planning area boundaries and size. Describe the existing transportationand land use issues. Define the problems facing the area (10 points)

The planning area is the northeastern two-thirds of New Franklin and consists of anarea of about 9 square miles. The Summit County Trail & Greenway Planrecognized the need to provide numerous interconnections throughout SummitCounty feeding into the spine of the trail system the Towpath Trail. This plan

shows a proposed connector trail running along Vanderhoof Road from the TowpathTrail to Portage Lakes State Park (Main Unit) and on to Nimisila Reservoir (also partof Portage Lakes State Park). This would provide a connection between the spineand one of Ohios busiest state parks Portage Lakes State Park. The currentlyproposed trail project would bring this connector to fruition.

The transportation system in the planning area consists mainly of narrow-shoulderedformer county roadways with pavement widths of 22 feet and containing deepditches on each side in many locations. The speed limits on these roads range from35 to 45 mph. The remaining roads are former township roads with pavement widthsof 18 feet and largely no shoulders. These conditions make it hazardous forpedestrian and bicycle travel alike. The only safe mode of transit in this area is by

motor vehicle. Public transportation consists of one bus route that runsperpendicular to the trail on Manchester Road and Renninger Road (Route 111South Main/Waterloo). There are no sidewalks in the area. Trail developmentoutside of the Towpath Trail and the trails within the state park areas is non-existent.

The land use in the planning area consists mainly single-family residential dwellingswith limited commercial and industrial facilities situated next to scattered agriculturalfarm fields and wooded areas. The main business corridor, along Manchester Road(State Route 93), consists of several fast food establishments, a gas station, a bank,two boat marinas, and a few personal/professional services offices. The previousindustrial facility (a tool and die manufacturer) closed down three years ago.

Because of the limited non-residential tax base, the residential land owner shouldersmost of the tax burden for the City. The businesses in this area are in need of alarger customer base.

6. Define the purpose of the study, and the expected outcomes (access management,streetscapes, pedestrian facilities). (10 points)

The purpose of the study would be to establish and document answers to thefollowing questions:

1. Where are the publicly-owned right-of-ways that could be used for the trail?2. How suitable are those public right-of-ways for trail use with minimal

modifications?3. What would the cost be to upgrade those right-of-ways for trail use?4. What are the challenges to developing the trail off of the public right-of-ways and

what are the potential solutions?5. How does this trail development correlate with other forms of transportation

(public transit, car routes, other trail networks and parking opportunities?6. Are there significant natural, historical and cultural characteristics to be

preserved?


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7. What are the community resources that could be attractions/amenities(campgrounds, parks, restaurants, businesses) for trail users?

The expected outcome is a comprehensive document detailing the feasibility of thetrail and a blueprint for potential public and private investments to complete it. Itwould describe the interlinking of current and proposed pedestrian facilities to lay the

foundation for transit-oriented development along this section of Manchester Road.The plan would be used as a tool to secure funding for this project (Clean Ohio TrailsFunds, Recreational Trails Program, Ohio & Erie Canal Association GrantsProgram).

7. Discuss how this study addresses the following three principles (See page 3 for moredetail):

a. Provide more transportation choices (5 points)

There are thousands of residents who live in the area surrounding Portage LakesState Park and tens of thousands who visit the park every year. Visitors to the parkusually arrive by one form of transportation the automobile. The proposed project

would provide two additional transportation choices walking/hiking and bicycling.In fact, a bicyclist could transport his bike with him on a bicycle rack-fitted Metro busand then hop on to the trail and visa versa. This trail would provide an efficient andsafe travel corridor from the Towpath Trail to Portage Lakes State Park (Main Unit)and on to Nimisila Reservoir where it would connect with an existing hiking/bicyclingtrail. The Main Unit state park area contains several miles of walking/hiking trailsand several miles of paved roads for bicycles.

b. Enhance economic competitiveness (5 points)

In the vicinity where the proposed trail follows Manchester Road is a smallcommercial business corridor consisting of several fast food establishments, a gasstation, a bank, two boat marinas, and a few personal/professional services offices.Trail users could easily take advantage of this since the businesses are located lessthan one-fourth of a mile south of the trail. This exposure would help the existingbusinesses and attract more specialized trail businesses to the corridor because thenearest concessions along the Towpath Trail are in Canal Fulton, locatedapproximately 10 miles to the south. There is also a small commercial businesscorridor adjacent to where the proposed trail would connect with the NimisilaReservoir trail.

Trail development would also increase housing values in the area. A recent realestate study, Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Housing Values in U.S.Cities, commissioned by CEOs for Cities, a national network of urban leaders fromthe civic, business, academic and philanthropic sectors, indicated that homes locatedwithin walking distance of amenities such as schools, parks and shopping arent onlymore convenient for their owners, often theyre also worth more than homes inneighborhoods where driving is the rule. The report looked at 94,000 real estatetransactions in 15 markets. In 13 of those markets, higher levels of walkability weredirectly linked to higher home values.


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c. Support and value existing communities and neighborhoods (10 points)

Neighborhood connections already exist in the planning area. However, thoseconnections are for vehicular traffic only. There are no trails other than the TowpathTrail and the trails within the state park areas. This trail would link the disparateneighborhoods utilizing a means that would encourage a healthier lifestyle (walkingand bicycling) and be good for the natural environment as well (no air pollution, noise

pollution or light pollution).

8. Explain the publics involvement in the study. What residents or groups will beincluded and invited to provide input? (5 points)

A steering committee will be established with key stakeholders including: AMATS,Ohio Edison (First Energy), Metro Parks Serving Summit County, Ohio & ErieCanalway Coalition, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the cities of Green, NewFranklin and Barberton, Portage Lakes Advisory Committee, Portage LakesCommunities Council, Friends of the Portage Lakes, local hiking and bicycling clubsand property owners which contain the electric easement. There will be at least onepublic hearing to gather citizen input and stakeholder interviews with hiking andbicycling clubs and partner groups. There will also be regular meetings of an

advisory committee serving as the primary decision-making body.

9. How will your community plan to implement this planning study? Describe potentialfunding sources that could be used for implementation. (10 points)

The City of New Franklin plans to utilize the long established network of public andprivate partners involved with the development of the Ohio & Erie Canalway HeritageArea, the Towpath Trail, the state and scenic byways and the Summit County Trailand Greenway Plan. This network provides a means to communicate and takeadvantage of opportunities through collaboration that one entity alone might miss.

Potential funding sources include Clean Ohio Trails Funds, Recreational TrailsProgram, Ohio & Erie Canal Association Grants Program and various public andprivate foundations.


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ATTACHMENTS

PROJECT AREA MAP LETTERS OF SUPPORT


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Barberton

CityofNewFranklin

Gr o

ve

Rd

Manc

heste

rRd

Johns Rd

VanderhoofRd

Va

n

Bu

ren

Rd

RexHi llR

d

RheamRd

le rRd

Renning

Proposed Towpath Trail ~ Portage Lakes State Pa

Proposed Trail Connector

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

Existing Off Road Trail

Existing Expanded Berm

Expanded Berm Under Construction

Ohio Edison 150' Easement

Portage Lakes State Park


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Elevation Profile of theProposed Towpath Trail ~Portage Lakes State Park

Connector Trail

d by: The City of Green Planning Department Oct 2011 CL with the assistance of the City of New Franklin

Elevation

1155 - 1180

1125 - 1155

1100 - 1125

1074 - 1100

1045 - 1074

1020 - 1045

994 - 1020

960 - 994

940 - 960

Proposed Trail Connector

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

ExistingTowpath Trail

VanderhoofRd

Proposed Portage Lakes State Park Connector Trail

Distance

24,00022,00020,00018,00016,00014,00012,00010,0008,0006,0004,0002,0000

Elevation

1,080

1,060

1,040

1,020

1,000

980

960

Beginning Point of Proposed Trail


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A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A HIKE & BIKE TRAIL CONNECTING THETOWPATH TRAIL AND PORTAGE LAKES STATE PARK

The City of New Franklin proposes to create a trail linking the Towpath Trail withPortage Lakes State Park. This would be a recreational walking and non-motorized

bicycle trail consisting of mainly berm reconstruction along existing city roadways. Itwould begin at the existing section of the Towpath Trail located just west of the VanBuren/Vanderhoof Road intersection. The existing trail is located within several feet of

Vanderhoof Road. The connector trail would begin at this location and proceed on to

Vanderhoof Road. It would then follow Vanderhoof eastward to its intersection with

Manchester Road. It would then proceed south along Manchester Road to the entrance toPortage Lakes State Park. It would then follow the park road eastward to a point where

there is currently an auxilary gate at the parks south entrance. It would proceed out of

the park and then westward along Rawlins Avenue to its intersection with Roble Road. Itwould proceed south on Roble Road to its intersection with Renninger Road. It would

continue south on Renninger Road to an existing Ohio Edison high voltage transmission

easement. The trail would run overland east then southeast along this easement to whereit crosses West Caston Road. The trail would then run east along West Caston Road and

connect to the existing Nimisila Trail at Nimisila Reservoir in the City of Green. The

length of the trail would be approximately4.5miles. Most of the trail would traversegently sloping terrain.

The Summit County Trail & Greenway Plan shows a proposed connector trail running

along Vanderhoof Road from the Towpath Trail to Portage Lakes State Park and on toNimisila Reservoir. This grant would assist in defining the exact route of the trail.

The trail would be traversing suburban and exurban planning areas according to AMATS

criteria.

Several establishments serving food and drink are located within one-fourth of a mile

along Manchester Road and south of where Manchester Road intersects the state park

entrance road. Trail users could easily take advantage of these due to their closeproximity to the trail. This exposure would help the existing businesses in the area and

draw more specialized trail-related businesses to the immediate Manchester Road

corridor. The nearest concessions along the Towpath Trail are in Canal Fulton, located

approximately 10 miles to the south. There are several businesses located near the eastend of the proposed trail and adjacent to Nimisila Reservoir.

A recent real estate study, Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Housing Valuesin U.S. Cities, commissioned by CEOs for Cities, national network of urban leaders

from the civic, business, academic and philanthropic sectors, indicated that homes located

within walking distance of amenities such as schools, parks and shopping arent onlymore convenient for their owners, often theyre also worth more than homes in

neighborhoods where driving is the rule. The report looked at 94,000 real estate

transactions in 15 markets. In 13 of those markets, higher levels of walkability weredirectly linked to higher home values.


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The proposed project would further the following recommendations of ConnectingCommunities:

1) Improve bicycle planning and facilities through targeted investments.

2) Implement land use policies that improve community cohesion and reduce urbansprawl.

It would also encourage a healthier lifestyle with individuals riding bicycles or

walking/hiking the trail. These forms of transportation leave no carbon footprint, have no

air pollution and little or no noise pollution associated with them.

The Summit County General Plan recognizes the importance of such multi-modal uses.

Clean Ohio Trails Fund, Recreational Trails Program, the Ohio & Erie Canal Association

Grants Program and local, regional and national foundations could be viable sources of

funding for this project.


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New Franklin 2012

Documents