Hiram Comprehensive Plan

The Plan Development Process

     What process did Lynn Erickson and the Portage County Regional Planning Commission use to guide members of the Hiram Comprehensive Planning Group over a 18-month period to develop our planning guide? What was this process we can use again to update and refine our information?

The following generally explains the process followed to arrive at the current Comprehensive Plan recommendations:

1.      ORGANIZATION – COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE FORMED

·        To help guide process, review findings of work, provide directions to planning staff in development of various sections of the plan.  Committee representatives of Township, Village and College.

2.      DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY VISION

   Five Key activities of the visioning process:

·        Kickoff Community Meeting-November 2001

~120 citizens in attendance

-Citizens Identification of Community Assets

-Citizens Identification of Critical Issues Facing Hiram Communities

·        Visual Preference Survey

Planning Committee and others viewed 118 slide images and rated for likes and dislikes-what do people want to see or not see in their community in the future.  Slides exemplified existing or potential issues, concerns, aspirations, and included various landscapes and built environment alternatives.

·        Community Attitude Mail Survey-20% response rate

296 mailed, 89 returned

Citizens asked opinions on land use, design, development, utility, community services needs, zoning, intergovernmental cooperation and methods to protect open space and farmland.

·        Development of Guiding Principles

·        Ongoing Discussions with Planning Committee

3.      INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS

Staff with assistance from Committee and Community members, evaluated and provided documentation and where appropriate, maps on the following community characteristics:

·        Existing Land Use

·        Critical Natural Areas:  Wetlands, Flood Hazard Areas, Hydric Soils, Steep Slopes, Areas of Severe Ground Water Pollution Potential, Endangered Species

·        Agriculture

·        Scenic Resources-Conducted by committee and community volunteers with assistance from RPC staff.  Documented Scenic Vistas, Scenic Routes, Walking Routes, Rural Lanes, and Historic Resources worthy of preservation.

·        Protected Resources 

·        Community Infrastructure and Facilities:  Sewer and Water Service Areas and Lines, Traffic Volumes and Capacity ratings, Proposed Infrastructure Improvements, Recreational Amenities, Other Community Services.

·        Population, Housing, and Economic Characteristics and Trends

·        Government Functions

4.      DEVELOPMENT OF PLANNING PROJECTION:

Projections to 2020 were developed for population, dwelling units, and employment.

5.      EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE GROWTH SCENARIOS

·        Development of 20 year build out based on Continued Trends

·        Development Impact Analysis to Communities based on Continued Trend-Physical and Fiscal Impacts

·        Development of 20 year build out using Sustainable Development Principles and goals expressed by Planning Committee-Preservation of more farmland and open space in the Township, compact development of the Village, extension of walkable community in the Village, increasing tax base, using existing infrastructure capacity to support more development in the Village.

·        Develop Impact Analysis to communities using Sustainable Development Scenario-Fiscal and Physical Impacts

·        Selection by Committee of Preferred Future and direction for development of Community Plan

6.      DEVELOPMENT OF GOALS, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

Development of Goals, Policies and Strategies to guide future decision making and investment in areas of resources in areas of:

·        Conservation:  Farmland, Critical Natural Areas, Scenic and Cultural Resources

·        Parks and Recreation

·        Land Use/Development of the Communities

·        Transportation and Community Facilities

·        Economic Development

·        Governmental Issues and Cooperation between Hiram Township, Village and College.

The Committee reviewed and made revisions to Goals, Policies and Strategies.

7.   DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL PLANS THAT EMBODY COMMUNITY VISION, GOALS, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

8.    PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED PLAN TO COMMUNITY 

NEXT STEPS:

9. REVISIONS TO PLAN BASED ON COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

10. ADOPTION BY HIRAM VILLAGE PLANNING COMMISSION, HIRAM COUNCIL, HIRAM TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES AND APPROVAL/ACCEPTANCE BY HIRAM COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

11. DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS, INCENTIVES AND REGULATORY MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN BY ALL PARTIES

12.    ANNUAL EVALUATION AND COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE EVERY 5 YEARS.

 SELECTED FINDINGS

1. SUMMARY OF ALL SURVEYS;

Key Issues of Concern to Be Addressed:

2. GUIDING PRINCIPLES  (Adopted by Committee)

Provides general framework and general goals to aid in crafting more detailed goals, policies, and strategies.  These guiding principles address:

·        The value and role of agriculture in the community

·        Conservation of natural heritage and resources

·        Protection of Historic resources

·        Sustainable Development of the Township and Village

·        The importance of the College to the Community and strengthening partnerships

·        Fiscal Health of Communities

·        Need for range of housing opportunities and services for residents

3. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS-EXISTING CONDITIONS

·        Existing Land Use

-Extensive amount of farmland and open spaces, protected areas (provides   opportunities to protect important resources)

-Low density residential land use pattern in Township

      -College predominate land use in village

      -Minimal commercial and industrial land use (creates tax base problems)

·        Critical Natural Areas-Most located adjacent to riparian corridors.

·        Agriculture

o       270 acres now preserved (Groselle and Knippenberg farms)

o       Approximately 50% of Township (7,289 acres) land area in agricultural use and 28% in Village (170.77 acres) for Total of 7,459 acres

·        Scenic Resources

o       The Township and Village have abundant scenic and cultural resources that contribute to the rural and small town fabric.

·        Protected Resources

o       The Township and Village have a base of protected resources to build upon, creating a green infrastructure for the communities, such as: Headwaters Trail, Camp Asbury, Maplewood Farm, Groselle and Knippenberg Farm, Hiram Biological Station, Rolling Meadows Conservation Easement.

·        Community Infrastructure and Facilities

o       Sewer and Water Service Areas

(Sewer Plant could support additional 720 dwelling unit equivalents)

o       Water plant-excess capacity also

o       Traffic Volumes-all roads still low traffic volumes, although SR700 to SR82 and SR82 west to Mantua Village have increased in traffic volume by 15-17% between 1997-2001.  There are no failing capacity ratings

o       Recreational Amenities-and gaps, Township, Village and College

-Township is deficient in parklands-lacks Community Park.

·        Population, Housing and Economic Characteristics

Selected info (most from 2000 Census):

o       Declining Village Population Growth

o       Predominated by Student Population

o       Student Enrollment declining at a decreasing rate (expected to increase in future years)

o       Age structure shifts-increases in 35-44 year olds and 5-14 year olds-new families in Village

o       Township 21.6% increase in population in last decade

o       Township-all age categories over 44 years old increased and 5-14 year olds

o       Residential development trends

-Village-50% of housing stock is rental units

-Little new housing stock added in 10 years

-Low vacancy rates

-Census shows decrease in dwelling units (errors?) in Township (181 building permits for residential units 1990-2000 according to Building Dept. Data)

-Only 8% rental units in Township

-1/3 of housing in Village historic (before 1939)

·        Government Functions

o       Village general fund revenue increasing at a decreasing rate.

o       Security functions account for over 60% of Village expenditures

o       High debt service load in Village

o       Increasing costs not keeping pace with revenue growth in Village

o       Township revenues increasing at a decreasing rate.

4. PROJECTIONS

                         Population, Dwelling Units-Current Trend

o         0.67% growth for Village to 1,511 persons by 2020

o          7% growth for Township to 3,114 persons by 2020

5. ALTERNATIVE GROWTH SCENARIOS

o       In comparing the continued trend versus the sustainable development growth scenario, the sustainable development scenario resulted in:

VILLAGE

-More property tax revenue for schools, fire and ems

-50% more land developed

-8.5 more acres of open space

-More school district costs

TOWNSHIP

-Less tax revenues

-40% less land developed

-2,040 More acres of farmland and open space preserved

-12% less school district costs

In this scenario, growth is shifted from township to village, TDR and PDR programs are in place, alternative rural development methods used, focus on preservation of rural character and traditional development of village.

 SELECTED RECOMMENDATIONS

GOALS, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

Conservation:  Farmland, Critical Natural Areas, Scenic and Cultural Resources

v     Township and Village Develop Transfer of Development Rights Program through cooperative agreements.

v     Primary Agricultural Conservation Areas will be sending areas, the Village will be the primary receiving area.

v     Continued Support of State and Local Purchase of Development Rights Program; consideration of local land banking program.

v     Land in Agricultural Zoning Districts will receive priority of PDR and other preservation programs; density in Ag Zoning Districts-1/20 acres or sliding scale.

v     Allow for alternative conservation development in area with smaller blocks (less than 300 acres).

v     College should utilize local area products in food service and other operations where ever appropriate.

v     Industrial development should be encouraged in the Village that will enhance and support the local and area agricultural industry.

v     Establish a farmers market in the Village or work with Garrettsville Village with assistance from OSU.

v     Encourage agritourism.

v     Land in agricultural use in the Village will not be discouraged until such lands are needed for urban uses as the Village is the designated growth center for the Township and Village.

v     Riparian setbacks and buffers should be incorporated into Zoning Regulations

v     Township should maintain and enhance open space conservation district in areas with greatest environmental constraints (Primary Environmental Conservation Areas)

v     Create an Environmental Conservation Overlay district to protect scattered environmentally sensitive areas.

v     Protect Historic Areas of the Township-Establish Historic Resources Conservation Overlay District with development guidelines for these areas. (Pioneer Trail from Township line east to Route 700, Route 82 Corridor east of Pioneer Trail, Allyn Road from Geauga County line south west to Rt. 700, Hiram Rapids Hamlet.)

v     Designate Heritage, Scenic Routes and Rural Lanes throughout Township and Village with appropriate markers and promote them-helps agritourism and local economic development.

v     Develop Rural Design Standards

v     Minimize frontage development.  Incorporate alternative methods and provide incentives for use of conservation development that takes development off road frontage.

v     The Village should adopt reasonable design standards to insure historic fabric of community that makes it special is protected and new development is compatible with existing structures and traditional pattern of development.  Conventional subdivision types will not be permitted.

v     Develop Scenic Resources Overlay District that includes standards for protection and best management of these areas such as building placement, height requirements, plantings and tree removal.

v     Township could establish turnouts with markers at key vistas.

Parks and Recreation

v     Addition of bike lanes on selected roads (See Transportation Recommendations)

v     Township should acquire land and develop park for intensive recreation uses.  If located in proximity to Village Park-could connect complimentary amenities.

v     Greenway trails that loop around Township and connect Village should be further evaluated.

v     New development should be required to connect to trails system where appropriate. The Village should acquire the playground/field next to Hiram Elementary School for a neighborhood park.

v     Concept of joint community center should be explored.                     

 Land Use/Development of the Communities

Township

v     Areas outside of conservation areas will remain designated for rural development.

v     Rural areas except for Rapids area should be zoned low density-1 dwelling unit/3 acres.

v     Area around Rapids-density of 1 unit per 1.5 acres, continue historic pattern of development

v     Develop incentives to encourage landowners to cluster non-farming dwellings off of road frontage. (Conservation subdivisions)

v     Adopt performance standards including rural lighting standards into zoning regulations.

v     Roads, lots, and open spaces in subdivisions must be laid out to protect open space, farmland, and sensitive areas, but also create a neighborhood.  Connections of roads and trails to neighboring properties and surrounding area are to be promoted consistent with the goals of the plan.

                  Village

v     Expansion of current and creation of new area of mixed use/commercial/residential district in Village center. (Residential densities of 4-5 dwelling units/acre).

-Incorporate reduced parking standards to encourage adaptive reuse of older      

  buildings. 

-Encourage shared parking and parking in rear with buildings up near sidewalks.

-Sidewalks will be integral to all new development.

v     Establish new industrial district to the south since current one is limited in expansion and is in the area of future College expansion.

-Include performance standards in zoning ordinance.

-Utilize incentives such as enterprise zone to promote expansion and development of this area,

v     The northwest are of the Village should continue to infill with low density residential development.  Density of up to 2 dwelling units/acre.

v     Medium density residential development will be encouraged in built up portions of Village on western side of College.  Density of up to 4 dwelling units/acre.

-Infill development encouraged.

-Mixed Use with residential and college uses will be encouraged.

-Establish maximum front setback.

v     High density residential development will be encouraged in area adjacent to western border of medium density residential area and lands designated for residential development on south side of Wakefield Road.

-Infill development encouraged.

-Traditional Village Neighborhood style of development with interconnecting streets and sidewalks will be supported.

-Density of 6-8 dwelling units/acre with Transferable Development Rights.

Transportation and Community Facilities

v     Township should develop bike lanes as roads are resurfaced.  Priority areas established.

v     ODOT should be asked to develop a bike lane on SR82 west to provide access to Ryder and Abbott Rds.; SR305 east of Village to provide access to Udall Rd. and Norton Rd., or Wheeler Rd. to the Biological Station. (See Transportation Recommendations)

v     In the Village-additional connections in the northwest quadrant should be explored-(See Transportation Recommendations)  Also industrial road network and connections of mixed use area to center.

v     All developments will be required to install sidewalks in the village, sidewalks and/or pedestrian trails in the Township.

v     Discourage use of cul-de-sacs as they disconnect communities.

v     Access management techniques should be applied to all roads.

v     The Village will not extend sewer and water to areas outside the Village unless they mutually agree to a plan amendment or a health problem exists.

v     The Village will actively promote development consistent with this plan to generate new sewer and water customers to help lower rates to all consumers.

            Economic Development

v     Development of promotional brochure that includes maps, walking and riding tours with an agritourism, scenic and cultural resource focus.

v     Update regulations to insure processes are clear and consistent.  Remove barriers to desired development, provide for flexibility where appropriate.

v     College could provide business assistance to entrepreneurs in developing business plans.

v     College through foundation support could develop local grant/loan program in cooperation with the Township and Village to encourage and facilitate desired development, redevelopment or business/industry improvements.  (matching funds)

v     Community should consider development of annual festival event to help stimulate tourism.

Governmental Issues and Cooperation Between Hiram Township, Village and College

v     The Village should consider eliminating the credit on income tax to generate much needed operating revenue.

v     A review mechanism should be established that provides for review and comment by all entities on proposed development and re-development to protect mutual goals, coordinate land use, infrastructure and other related decisions.