ERIE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ... · Flowchart of Erie County Regional...

ERIE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

& METROPOLITAN

PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Spring Quarterly Report 2016

Spring 2016

Table Of Contents:

—Department Information

—Community Development

—Erie County Land Bank

—Economic Development

—Metropolitan Planning Organization

—Other Projects & Activities

Spring Quarterly Report

—Department Information………………..3 —Community Development/Land Use….5 —Erie County Land Bank…………………….12 —Economic Development…………………..14 —Metropolitan Planning Organization….16 —Other Projects and Activities….………..21

Table of Contents

Spring Quarterly Report Erie County Department of Regional Planning and Development

Metropolitan Planning Organization

Fall 2013 Page 3

Officers of ERPC Metropolitan

Planning Organization

(MPO): Chair:

Patrick Shenigo

Vice-Chair:

Tim Coleman

Secretary: Nicole Grohe

Erie County Regional Planning Commission

What Can We Do For You? We would be more than happy to assist with…

Planning Services Zoning Code/Resolution Development and

Revisions/Updates

Subdivision Regulations Development and Revision/Updates

Comprehensive Planning

Special Planning Studies

Planning Research

Downtown Revitalization Activities

Legal Opinions on Zoning and Planning Issues

Newsletters with Planning Information

Grant Search Assistance and Writing

Zoning Code/Resolution Reproduction Services

Subdivision Review for Unincorporated Areas

Lot Split Review and Approval

Rezoning Review for Zoning Changes in Unincorporated Areas

Census Bureau Programs

Floodplain Program Administration

Economic Development Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program

Administration for Industrial Developments

Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA)

Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Administration for Industrial Developments

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

Grant Search Assistance and Writing

Housing & Community Development

Services Community Development Block Grant

(CDBG) Program Administration

Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) Administration

Fair Housing Services

Handicapped Access Improvements to Residential Units

Mapping/GIS/Computer Services

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Access

Zoning Map Maintenance and Reproduction

Specialized Maps for Documents or Presentations

Specification Preparation for Computers

Assistance with Preparation of Documents or Presentations

Officers of Erie

Regional Planning

Commission (ERPC):

President:

Dave Foster

Vice-President:

Ed Enderle

Secretary:

Tim King

2016

Spring 2016

Spring 2016

STAFF

Contact Information: 419.627.7792 Monday-Friday

8:00 AM-4:30 PM [email protected]

2900 Columbus Avenue Sandusky, Ohio 44870

Transportation MPO

Policy & Technical Advisory

Committees

Senior Planner

Tim King Senior Transportation

Planning Engineer

Carrie Whitaker

Associate Planner

Nicole Grohe

Financial Economic Development Specialist

Zach Rospert

Planning and Development Director

Steve Poggiali

Erie Regional

Planning

Commission (ERPC)

Contracted by Erie County

Administrative Assistant Cindy Walker

County Administrator

Pete Daniel

Erie County

Commissioners

Flowchart of Erie County

Regional Planning

Spring 2016

Community Planning/Economic Planning

News in Community and Economic Planning: Recovery Park in Detroit, Michigan: Detroit's urban farming possibilities aren't a secret; there is nowhere else in the country with an infrastructure that contains so much city-owned or delinquent land. Detroit's mayor announced a $15 million, 60-acre urban farm project in 2015. The city of Detroit has a huge excess of land: without any prospective buyers, land often reverts to what National Public Radio calls “a quasi-governmental agency” called the Detroit Land Bank Authority. The city also retains the rights to abandoned property. Some of those properties are sold at absurdly low prices to hopeful youngsters. Many of these properties sit in limbo, without a purpose or any likely buyers. This is where Recovery Park, a for profit organization, comes in. The organization runs a program called Recovery Park Farms. Recovery Park and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in 12/15 an ambitious plan to create a 60-acre urban farm (35 acres of which comes from the government, through the Detroit Land Bank Authority) to be settled with greenhouses and hydroponic systems for specialty produce. Recovery Park already operates a pair of smaller urban farms, growing vegetables like radishes, greens and edible flowers and selling them to restaurants in the city.

Detroit doesn’t actually have the $15 million to give to Recovery Park to set up an urban farm. The Detroit News reports that Recovery Park has $1 million currently and will have to somehow raise the remainder to achieve its goals. The plan would include hiring 120 employees (60% of whom will have to be from the Detroit area). The land purchased by Recovery Park will have to be cleared of any houses still on the lots, and the new headquarters (the currently defunct Chene-Ferry Market) will need a complete renovation. Recovery Park plans to break ground in spring 2016. Adopted from Dan Nosowitz, 2015 article found at http://modernfarmer.com/2015/11/biggest-urban-farm-detroit/

Spring 2016

LAND USE

News in Land Use Planning: A History of Smart Decline: Large American cities first appeared in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a time of high industrialization and rapid external and internal immigration. Midsized cities, too, flourished as coal and steel processors. Their overall boundaries expanded, with affluent neighborhoods for the local elites and ethnic enclaves for the working classes. Their downtowns and main streets prospered. Many cities and neighborhoods in this high industrial era grew at least as rapidly as their present-day, less industrial Sun Belt counterparts. American city planning emerged to deal with the consequences.

As the twentieth century unfolded, American city and regional planning tried to manage the pressures of rising urban and later suburban populations, as well as the effects of industrial growth. Local zoning ordinances, state land-use regulations, federal antipollution laws, and environmental reviews appeared, whose proponents expected them to uphold property values. Population and economic growth provided both the norm and the ideal—standard template—to guide development. Thus in the 1950s and 1960s American planning devices focused on “growth control,” in the 1970s and 1980s on “growth management,” and in the 1990s and 2000s on “smart growth.” No zoning ordinance, still the most frequent tool of American local land-use planning, explicitly anticipates that the locality or its neighborhoods will lose population.

By the late twentieth century vast shifts undid the American fable of all-but-permanent urban and economic growth. Cheaper manufacturing centers arose outside the old Northeast and Midwest, first elsewhere in the United States and then abroad. White- and blue-collar workers had already used their postwar rising wages and the new federal home loans to flee the cities for the suburbs in huge numbers, leaving behind the poor and many minorities. Large public sewer and road-building programs further subsidized American suburbanization. Most older cities, found themselves increasingly left behind. The Big Three American carmakers, once national symbols and the country’s most visible group of corporations, began their initially shallow, then steep descent into two-thirds complete bankruptcy and federal bailout by 2009. Their suppliers in the steel, coal, tire, glass, machinery, and utility industries suffered with them. The same pattern recurred in the electronics and aircraft sectors, among many others. American manufacturing could often no longer compete with its new rivals around the world.

The urban effects were predictable, though few wanted to admit to them. Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania cities, in particular, dwindled significantly. Frequently even their suburbs shrank. In 2000–2009 “the failed state of Ohio” contributed four of the ten metro areas that lost the largest absolute numbers of people. Behind New Orleans and Pittsburgh, Cleveland was in third place, Youngstown-Warren fifth, Dayton eighth, and Toledo tenth. About half of Detroit’s surrounding cities and towns lost population in the decade.

(continued…)

Spring 2016

LAND USE

News in Land Use Planning: Smart Decline:

An Ohio example-Instead of fighting an uphill battle the City of Youngstown has taken a different approach planning for the continued decline of the city’s population. The Youngstown 2010 plan exhibits many of the basics of a modern-day master plan. It envisions the city as a rezoned hub for regional business, encourages the creation of more green space, and invites people to help direct redevelopment. But it also recommends cutting the oversized infrastructure planners say makes Youngstown look like 'a size-40 man wearing a size-60 suit.'

Some of those choices could erase parts of Youngstown. Officials have talked about demolishing vacant homes in the city's least populated areas and tearing up the accompanying roads, water lines and power cables. These abandoned blocks could become parks or be allowed to return to the fields on which the city was built."

Adapted from: http://www.governing.com/topics/economic-dev/Smart-Decline.html; http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/the-road-to-right-size-cities

For more information and to view the plan:

http://www.cityofyoungstownoh.com/about_youngstown/youngstown_2010/plan/plan.aspx

News in Community Planning-Attention all Erie County Townships, Villages, Cities, Erie County Departments and Non - Profit Organizations: Once again it is time to begin to formulate proposals for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects. Erie County’s total allocation for 2016 is unknown at this time. To begin the project selection process community/organization leaders need to generate a single proposal your community/organization would like to see funded. Generally speaking, there are three primary factors that will influence whether your project will be selected; Allocation from the State of Ohio; Project eligibility and Project cost The following is a listing of the types of projects that SHOULD qualify. Remember these funds are primarily targeted towards low and moderate income areas; 1. Projects that benefit low and moderate income individuals, for instance a road resurfacing

or the installation of sewers in areas with at least 51% low and moderate income individuals.

2. Handicapped access to public buildings to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act, such

as the installation of handicapped ramps or restrooms. 3. Activities that aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight (infrastructure

improvements, demolition, etc.) Two public hearings will be held to discuss the selection of projects. Hearing dates are yet to be determined. Both hearings will be held in the Commission Chambers on the 3rd floor of the Erie County Services Center, 2900 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.The CDBG grant application will be submitted to the state during the month of June and we expect to have a signed grant agreement with the state in the fall of this year. Funding for those

projects that are approved will become available during the spring of 2017.

PROPOSALS AND CORRESPONDING COST ESTIMATES NEED TO BE IN OUR OFFICE NO LATER THEN 4:00 PM, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016.

Turn your proposals into the Planning Office as soon as possible. Cost estimates for

construction projects need to be prepared by a registered engineer or architect - NOT A CONTRACTOR. Construction estimates need to include federal Davis-Bacon (not state of

Ohio) prevailing wage rates.

If you have a project in mind and want to know if it will qualify please contact me at 419-627-7524. Tim King Senior Planner

Spring 2016

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Spring 2016


Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) History: Each year Erie County receives an allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The grant is awarded to Erie County on a formula basis through the state of Ohio and may be used for a wide range of activities. The formula is based on a statutory formula which takes into account population, poverty, incidence of overcrowded housing, and age of housing. CDBG funds are available only to political jurisdictions and non-profit organizations, not to individuals. Authorized in 1974 the CDBG program’s primary objective is to develop viable urban and rural communities, by expanding economic opportunities and improving quality of life, principally for persons of low- and moderate-income. CDBG provides grants to units of local government and states for the purpose of supporting efforts to create locally driven solutions to community and economic development challenges. Instead of a top-down approach, where the federal government tells grantees how to use these funds, CDBG presents a broad framework which local governments can easily adapt to the particular needs they face. Since 1974 the CDBG program has invested $149.2 billion in communities nationwide, assisting states and localities to achieve the kinds of infrastructure investment, job creation, and poverty elimination our communities so desperately need. In addition to job creation, CDBG is an important catalyst for economic growth – helping communities leverage funds for essential water and sewer improvement projects, address housing needs, forge innovative partnerships to meet increasing public service needs, and revitalize their economies. CDBG recipients are able to fund 28 different eligible activities, with the major categories being public improvements, public services, economic development, acquisition/clearance, housing activities primarily focused on owner-occupied rehabilitation and homeownership assistance, as well as general administration and planning. With the exception of administration and planning activities, which are capped at 20 percent per authorities in annual appropriation acts, all CDBG-funded activities must meet one of three national objectives:1) Providing benefit to low- and moderate-income persons;2) Eliminating slums or blighting conditions; or 3) Addressing urgent needs to community health and safety. State regulations require that at least 51% of Erie County’s CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Uses of the funds are determined by Erie County, following a thorough comprehensive strategic planning process, with the state is in the process of being executed.

Spring 2016


CDBGG Update: Below is a summary of the projects that were recently completed. The Milan Town Hall (circa 1876) on the Village Square had ADA compliant restrooms

constructed. The Village of Berlin Heights has had dangerous drainage issues on the east side of

Berlin Road between Hill and Main Street. The Erie County Engineer’s Office has now installed a curb and drainage project that has eliminated this drainage & erosion hazard that has plagued the driving public for several years.

Erie County has worked with the Volunteers of America (VOA) to make both the

Homeless Shelter parking lot and playground area ADA compliant. Continuing its support of the VOA Homeless Shelter the Erie County Commissioners pledged $17,000 which helped fund the operations of the Homeless Shelter. This has helped keep Erie County residents out of the cold during the winter and provide food and shower facilities.

The 2015 CDBG projects have been approved by the state of Ohio and a contract with the state is in the process of being executed. 2015 CDBG projects include the following; Perkins Township will make playground equipment at Strickfaden Park ADA compliant

utilizing CDBG funds. The first step in moving this project forward is state approval of both environmental and historic conditions on the project site. The project will then be bid, with the lowest bid being awarded the contract. Construction on the project should begin this spring.

The Village of Kelleys Island has an existing concrete ADA ramp into the Village Hall

which is deteriorated, cracked and crumbling. CDBG funds will be used to demolish and replace the existing with a new ramp. Once the state has cleared the site for environmental and historic issues the project will be bid. Renovations are expected to begin this spring.

Once again the Erie County Commissioners have demonstrated their support of the

Volunteers of America Homeless Shelter by providing CDBG operational funds to the Shelter. Funds will be distributed to the VOA all during 2016 and will help feed and house our homeless residents.


Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) Program: What is the CHIP Program? A grant program through the Ohio Development Services Agency to provide deferred loans/grants to qualified homeowners to bring their homes up to code and to encourage homeownership. Qualifying residents must meet specific income guidelines in order to receive assistance. Funds through the 2014 CHIP grant are still available. If you or someone you know needs home rehabilitation assistance, and lives outside the cities of Sandusky, please contact our office so we can mail you an application. The CHIP Hotline is 419.627.7792 or toll free at 888.399.6065 While Erie County is a great place to work and play we aren’t without our challenges. Erie County’s housing stock is older than both the state and national average. But with the assistance of the state Office of Community Development the Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program (CHIP) has infused new life into some old homes. Since 1995 Erie County has received just under $5 million in CHIP funding to help rebuild the housing stock of our low and moderate income population from Bayview to Vermilion. New roofs, furnaces and wheelchair ramps have helped our residents stay in and get in their homes.

Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program: The most recent CHIP application submitted to the state was funded for yet another $575,000. Erie County was awarded $400,000 in the spring of 2013, which was the grant ceiling. The 2013 grant has expired and is in the process of being closed out. The 2014 grant will keep the CHIP program rolling along until the end of October 2016. In April of 2016 Erie County will prepare and submit its next application in an attempt to keep the much needed rehabilitation moving. All told Erie County has been awarded $4,747,000 in CHIP funding starting in 1995 for an average allocation of $527,444. The 2014 grant application partnered Erie County with the City of Vermilion. Absent the partnership with the City of Vermilion Erie County would be exempted from applying in this funding round. The partnership divides the funding between the two political jurisdictions as follows; 54% or $308,000 for the City of Vermilion and 46% or $267,000 for Erie County. Previously the 2014 grant application partnered Erie County with the City of Vermilion. Currently Erie County is in the process of preparing another grant partnership with the City of Vermilion. This partnership will allow the County/City to apply for $800,000 in home rehab dollars. The newest application will be due to the state of Ohio in May and requires the passage of legislation by both partnering jurisdictions and several public hearings.

Spring 2016

Spring 2016

LAND BANK

News in Land Banking Treasury Announces Additional Investment in Hardest Hit Fund: The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced it would exercise its authority to obligate up to $2 billion in additional Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) program. The additional investment in HHF will enable participating state Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) to continue assisting struggling homeowners and stabilizing neighborhoods in many of the nation’s hardest hit communities. “While the housing market has strengthened in recent years, there are still many homeowners and neighborhoods experiencing the negative effects of the financial crisis,” said Mark McArdle, Treasury’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Financial Stability. “The additional HHF funds authorized by Congress will allow states to continue their efforts to stabilize local communities and help struggling families avoid foreclosure.” The first phase will allocate $1 billion using a formula based on state population and the HFA’s utilization of their HHF allocation to date. The second phase will utilize an application process open to all participating HFAs. This phase will allow Treasury to focus additional resources on HFAs that have significant ongoing foreclosure prevention and neighborhood stabilization needs, a proven track record in utilizing funds, and successful program models to address those needs. HFAs will have until March 11, 2016 to submit applications, and will be allowed to request amounts up to 50 percent of their existing HHF allocation or $250 million (whichever is lower). Treasury anticipates announcing the second phase allocations by the end of April. The Hardest Hit Fund was created in 2010 to provide $7.6 billion in targeted aid to 18 states and the District of Columbia deemed hardest hit by the economic and housing market downturn. The program was designed to leverage the expertise of state and local partners by funding locally-tailored foreclosure prevention and neighborhood stabilization solutions. As of the end of the third quarter of 2015, HHF has disbursed approximately $4.5 billion of the $7.6 billion obligated to the program, on behalf of homeowners and stabilization efforts, and assisted nearly a quarter of a million homeowners.

Spring 2016

LAND BANK

Castalia Awarded Ohio EPA Targeted Brownfield Assessment Grant: The Village of Castalia, in partnership with the Erie County Land Bank, has been awarded a Targeted Brownfield Assessment Grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). This Grant will be used to perform a Voluntary Action Plan (VAP) Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the former Citgo Gas Station site located at the intersection of SR 269 and SR 101, in Castalia. Utilizing funding provided by U.S. EPA and the state budget, Ohio EPA uses both private contractors and its own in-house field staff to provide environmental services at brownfield sites to encourage brownfield redevelopment in Ohio’s communities. Ohio EPA pays all costs directly and oversees its contractors, freeing up local resources for other important job duties. The VAP Phase I Assessment is a requirement in order for the Village to apply for an Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant offered through the Ohio Development Services Agency. Applications are expected to be available for this Grant in March 2016. How Many is Too Many?: Columbus and Franklin County have nearly $3.5 million to demolish vacant houses this year, a little less than in previous years but enough to tear down hundreds of them in neighborhoods across the city. But some area leaders, fearing that a neighborhood's fabric will be irrevocably altered, still debate whether the city should aim for so many. “I think they’re a little aggressive,” said Kathleen Bailey, who leads the Near East Area Commission. Bailey said that two city land-bank houses in the 400 block of Wilson Avenue and one in the 1600 block of Franklin Avenue had been scheduled to be torn down last year, but the community convinced city officials that they could be renovated and sold. “Nice little houses,” she said. Lane Newcome, who leads the Greater Hilltop Area Commission, said he has heard from both sides of the debate. “It’s a rock and a hard place,” Newcome said. “Don’t want blighted homes in the neighborhood, don’t want pockmarks.” John Turner, Columbus’ land-bank administrator, said he expects more properties will be spared the wrecking ball. As real-estate markets rebound in Columbus neighborhoods, he's confident the city will be able to sell land-bank properties. The city and county land banks now control 1,499 properties in Columbus. John Rosenberger, president of the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corp., which operates the county's land bank, agrees with Turner. "We've made a dent in the worst," he said. "A lot of these homes ought to be saved if possible." Excerpted from Columbus Dispatch [email protected]

Spring 2016

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

News in Economic Planning: Congress Invests In Planning Priorities: In December, Congress passed a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package that avoided another government shutdown, set federal government funding levels for FY 2016, and addressed a number of expired or expiring tax provisions. According to Planning, The Magazine of the American Planning Association, the bill’s key planning-related provisions include the TIGER program funded for a new round of grants at $500 million. The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) is level-funded at $3 billion, an increase of $200 million above President Obama’s request of $2.8 Billion. Good news for ERPC in a possible increase in CDBG funds that have continued to dwindle over the past few years. The spending deal also extended the New Markets Tax Credit Program until 2019 at the current level of $3.5 billion and made it retroactive to the beginning of 2015. Also included was a nine percent minimum for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit for new construction and substantial rehabilitation. Finally, congress extended the authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund by three years with no changes to the current program.

E-TAILERS MUST OPEN PHYSICAL STORES TO SUCCEED: Online retailers that don’t open physical stores won’t be around as long as their Omni-channel competitors according to a report sponsored by landlord Simon and conducted by online marketing research firmL2. According to the February 2016 issue of Shopping Centers Today (SCT), the firm L2 compiled a research report called “Death of Pure Play Retail” in which the case was made that an online-only retail model is unsustainable. The article indicated online retailers leveraging physical store locations drive higher organic site traffic and lower customer acquisition costs while elevating brand awareness. In addition, it also points out that multi-channel retailers offer in-store pickup and returns having a competitive advantage. In addition, while e-tailer orders typically net 77 cents on the dollar due to costly returns that average 23% of order value. Retailers that offer both in-store pick-up and returns enjoy an accretive effect because shoppers walk out of a store with more after exchanging merchandise and making incremental purchases offering further incentive to retailers that offer both options. The Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) Update: The Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) met on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 to provide recommendations on whether to continue or discontinue current tax incentives. Representatives from the local governments and local school districts were in attendance to ensure compliance to all terms and conditions agreed upon when establishing the Community Reinvestment Areas, Enterprise Zones or Tax Increment Financing projects. Authorized Representatives from the companies with active abatements provided ERPC staff with economic impact and job numbers to provide TIRC members so they could make an informed decision. The recommendations of the TIRC will now go before the Erie County Commissioners. Completed reports with this information and the decisions to continue or discontinue the abatements are due to the Ohio Development Services Agency by March 31, 2016.

Spring 2016

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Revolving Loan Fund (RLF): Erie County Revolving Loan (RLF) fund offers a loan program with favorable rates to new and existing businesses located or considering locating within the County. The program is designed to fill the gap between the owner’s equity and a private lender loan. Therefore, most of the loans are made to those who have exhausted all other financing avenues. The loan cannot exceed 50% of the entire budget or cost and there is a job creation requirement affiliated with each loan. The RLF loan can be used in concert with other local, state, and federal loan programs. All monies from the County’s RLF are generated by repayments from businesses that have received financial assistance on Community Development Block Grant Economic Development (CDBG ED) projects. County staff and an outside RLF Committee evaluate all requests and make recommendations regarding loan proposals. Anyone interested in the RLF loan program should contact the Regional Planning Commission at 419.627.7792.

Ohio Enterprise Zone Program: The Ohio Enterprise Zone Program is another economic development tool administered by municipal and county governments that provides real and personal property tax exemptions to businesses making investments in Ohio. While Erie County is certified as an active Enterprise Zone, businesses must first negotiate and have any abatement approved before the project can begin. The maximum exemption level of 100% for 15 years must be approved by the local school district.

Community Reinvestment Areas: Community Reinvestment Areas: The Ohio Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) Program is an economic development tool administered by municipal and county governments that provides real property tax exemptions to business making investments in Ohio. In order to use the CRA program, a city, village or county petitions to the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) for confirmation of a geographical area in which investment has traditionally been discouraged. Part of the petition reviewed by the ODSA is a survey performed by the respective political subdivision. Once an area is confirmed, communities may offer real property tax exemptions to tax payers that invest in the area.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is another economic development mechanism available to township, municipal or county governments to finance public infrastructure improvements and, in some circumstances, residential rehabilitation. Payments derived from the increased assessed value of any real property are directed into a separate fund (often referred to as Payments in Lieu of Tax “PILOT”) used to pay off the bonds associated with the financing of the improvements.

Spring 2016

News in Transportation Planning: ERPC Planning Involvement at the State Level: Erie Regional Planning Commission (ERPC) staff continues to be active at the State level on numerous fronts. Currently, staff is involved with the Ohio Association of Regional Councils (OARC) as the Chairman of the Transportation Directors Committee and as a member of the Policy Committee. The Transportation Directors are made up of Directors from the 18 Metropolitan Planning Organizations in Ohio. They meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss all issues associated with transportation planning and funding of transportation projects. The Policy Committee meets on a monthly basis to discuss and prioritize which legislation the organization should consider supporting or opposing. In some cases the Policy Committee will also decide to testify on a specific bill. The OARC is comprised of 23 agencies serving more than 1,500 municipalities, townships, villages and counties accounting for 10.5 million people across the state of Ohio. The organization tackles a variety of regional issues facing local communities including transportation, economic development, land use, housing, environment, aging services and energy. ERPC staff is also involved as a member of the Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference (OTEC) Steering Committee. The Conference is a joint effort between the Ohio State University (OSU) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The OTEC theme this year is “OTEC 2016: 70 years of Innovation and Beyond.” The conference is scheduled for October 25th and 26th at the Greater Columbus Convention Center with 4,000 people expected to attend.

METROPOLITIAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Spring 2016

News in Transportation Planning: Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act: In December 2015, a new five year transportation bill was approved after years of extensions and delays. The FAST act replaces Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act. The new bill’s budget is $305 billion, increasing overall spending by 11% over the 5 years. The bill strives to reform and strengthen transportation programs, refocus on national priorities, provide long term certainty and more flexibility for states and local governments, streamline project approval processes, and maintain a strong commitment to safety. Relevant local implications of the new bill includes a small increase in local planning funds for the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), including ERPC (which received a $5,000 increase). Also, the FAST Act moves the Transportation Alternative funds, which funds bicycle and pedestrian projects, into the surface transportation program. The bill continues the emphasis on the nation’s freight network by including funding for a National Highway Freight Program and a Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program. Additionally, funding was expanded for bridges. For more information on the new transportation bill visit: http://transportation.house.gov/fast-act/

Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail (LECT): The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail is a 293 mile route from Conneaut, Ohio to Toledo, Ohio that travels along the southern shore of Lake Erie. The trail is a federally designated scenic byway and a staff completed the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) update in June 2015 to ensure it would maintain that designation. The 2015 CMP identifies intrinsic qualities that are unique to the trail and also provides recommendations for enhancing and promoting the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail. Since the CMP update, staff began working with representatives from the other four Metropolitan Planning Organizations that portions of the trail traverses. Those agencies are the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), Eastgate Regional Council of Governments (Eastgate), and the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG). This coordinating committee is responsible for overseeing implementation of the CMP’s recommendations. As such, one project that the group has initiated in 2016 is the development of a mobile application for the LECT. Previously awarded federal scenic byway discretionary funding is being utilized to fund the project. Staff envisions that app users will be able to view the 293 mile trail route with directions; while also being able to access information (including location) of specific sites that are located along the route. The project is expected to be completed by the end of June. Stay tuned to the Planning Press for future updates on this exciting project!


MPO Overview: As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Sandusky Urbanized Area, the ERPC is the designated agency responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive, coordinated and continuing transportation planning process. This “3-C” process has been adopted to ensure that the region’s local transportation network continues to be developed cognizant of various land use patterns, and one in which the safe and efficient movement of goods and people is paramount. The agency’s transportation planning activities are predicated on a predetermined committee structure which includes the Policy Committee and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The Policy Committee is comprised mostly of local elected officials who meet on a regular basis in order to determine transportation needs and improvement schedules. The TAC, which reports to the Policy Committee, represents a cross section of technical expertise that meets to evaluate and review policies and applications before they appear before the Policy Committee. The MPO also involves the general public into the planning processes. In order to ensure input and community involvement, the agency utilizes the services of its Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and other ad-hoc advisory committees. The MPO also receives valuable input from its Safety Review and Improvement Committee. The MPO’s responsibility to further an integrated transportation plan for the region is a difficult task which requires an informed decision making process involving a diverse cross section of representatives from the community. These committees associated with the MPO meet on a regular basis to give guidance to those projects and policies implemented through the MPO. These committees also work to ensure greater public outreach and comment as a component of future MPO projects.

Spring 2016


Technical Advisory Committee Members (TAC): Andy Johns-Federal Highway Administration Aaron Klein- City of Sandusky Engineer

Jack Meyers-Erie County Sanitary Engineer Andy White-City of Huron, City Manager

Tony Valerius-City of Vermilion Mike Schafrath-ODOT D3

Dave Foster-ERPC Jack Farschman-Erie County Engineer

Gary Mortus-Utility Representative Marvin Ranaldson -Sandusky Transit (STS) Gary Boyle-Perkins Township Administrator

Robert England-Erie County Health Department Eric Dodrill-Erie Soil & Water Director

Abbey Bemis- Erie Co. Economic Matt Lasko- Sandusky Comm. Develop. Director

Development Corp. Director Amy Moore-Erie Metro Parks

Policy Committee Members: Tom Ferrell-Erie County Commissioner Aaron Klein-City of Sandusky Engineer

Eric Wobser City of Sandusky City Manager Jack Farschman-Erie County Engineer

Dennis Murray-Ex-Officio Mayor, City of Sandusky Eileen Bulan -City of Vermilion, Mayor

Gary Boyle-Perkins Township Paul Sigsworth-Erie County Sheriff

Mike Schafrath-ODOT D3 Andy Johns-Federal Highway Administration

Angela Byington -City of Sandusky Sam Artino -City of Huron

Andrew Shepler-ODOT, Central Office

Spring 2016


City of Vermilion

Current MPO projects:


Spring 2016

Bike Erie County: MPO staff along with multiple partnering agencies have applied for grant funding from the Wightman-Wieber, Erie County Community and the Dorn Foundations to obtain supplies for an event dubbed Bike Erie County. Grant funding in the amount of $4,900 was awarded. The event will occur next spring at the Service Center and will consist of a Bike Rodeo that will have both indoor and outdoor elements. The event will last from 12-4. Stay tuned for more details.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS): Safe Routes to School (SRTS): The purpose of the SRTS program is to encourage and provide students grades K-8 with safe routes they can use to travel to school. The national program was first initiated in 2003 and has since been carried forward in subsequent federal transportation bills. In Ohio, the federally funded program is overseen by the Ohio Department of Transportation and each District Office provides a liaison for their specific region. As such, ERPC works with the ODOT District Three Office for items and projects related to the SRTS program. The first step in developing a SRTS program is the completion of a SRTS School Travel Plan. The travel plan is necessary to better identify what countermeasures are needed to increase safe travel for students and to help with implementation of those strategies. Upon completion and approval of the school travel plan, the jurisdiction may apply for funding of recommended plan improvements through ODOT’s yearly SRTS funding application cycle. The 2016 ODOT application cycle began in January and ends March 4th. Many local jurisdictions (City of Sandusky, Perkins Township, City of Huron, Village of Milan, and City of Vermilion) are planning to submit applications for funding to implement projects that were identified in their approved School Travel Plans. It is anticipated ODOT will announce funding awards in May 2016. For more information on the SRTS program, visit the ODOT website at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/ProgramManagement/HighwaySafety/ActiveTransportation/Pages/Funds.aspx Or contact Carrie Whitaker at 419-627-7652 or by email at [email protected].

Spring 2016

Other County Projects and Activities

Main Street: Regional Planning staff continues to participate with the Main Street organization in the City of Sandusky and Vermilion. Both organizations are designated Main Street Programs that have earned the coveted National Main Street Community title. The local not-for-profit organizations provide leadership, education and economic development initiatives to the membership as well as the community as a whole. Regional Planning staff continues assisting the City of Vermilion in applying for grant applications.

Bayfront Corridor Committee:

Erie Regional Planning Staff also serve on the City of Sandusky Bayfront Corridor Committee. The group meets each month on the third Thursday to discuss a number of issues relative to development along the City of Sandusky waterfront. Topics discussed include the Paper District, transient marina project, the development of the properties west of the Paper District, Lions Park redevelopment, infrastructure and beautification projects, parking, Sandusky Bay Pathway and other related development and recreation projects associated with the Bayfront Corridor.

Erie County Community Council:

ERPC staff also attends Erie County Community Council. Community Council meetings allow staff to share with other social service groups what programs the department has available.

GIS Advisory Board: Staff continues to attend the Erie County GIS Advisory Board. The GIS Board advises county staff on GIS services.

Spring 2016


Clean Water Coalition:

Staff is also active in the Clean Water Coalition. The Clean Water Coalition (CWC) formally known as the Storm Water Committee is made up of multiple municipalities and agencies in Erie county. The goals of the CWC are to protect our water resources, storm water education, enhance economic growth in Erie County and comply with Ohio EPA’s Phase II Storm Water Program. Our 2011 Storm Water Educational Theme is a concept created by the Solid Waste District and will be “Every Drop Counts!”

More information can be found at the Coalition’s website:http://www.firelandstributaries.net/Stormwater/aboutus.html

The Firelands Partnership: Staff continues to serve on the Steering Committee of the Firelands Partnership. The Firelands Partnership brings together business, educational and community leaders, local government officials and other supporters to provide insights on fostering change and creating economic opportunities. The goal is to create collaboration and partnership over a multi-county area. The Firelands Partnership has held two forums on economic development with the third planned for the Spring of 2017.

Spring 2016


Lot Splits:

Members of Erie

Regional Planning Commission:

Village of Bay View

Village of Berlin Heights

Village of Castalia

Village of Kelleys

Island

Village of Milan

Berlin Township

Florence Township

Groton Township

Huron Township

City of Vermilion

Margaretta Township

Milan Township

Oxford Township

Perkins Township

Vermilion Township

City of Huron

City of

Sandusky

Lot Splits: Berlin Twp. - 4 revised legals Florence Twp. - 2 revised legals Groton Twp. – 1 revised legal Huron Twp. – 1 split; 4 exempt over five acres Margaretta Twp. - 1 transfer Milan Twp. – 0 Oxford Twp. - 1 split; 1 revised legal Perkins Twp. – 2 splits; 5 transfers Vermilion Twp. - 1 split

Just a Reminder… Our Offices Will be Closed:

May 30th Memorial Day

July 4th Independence Day

Newsletters Planning staff continues to produce semi-annual reports and quarterly newsletters. Topics covered include the Metropolitan Planning Organization and updates, CDBG grant projects, Lead Hazard Control Grants, Neighborhood Stabilization Program, lot splits and other ERPC news. The latest edition the newsletter and semi-annual report can also be found on the Erie County Regional Planning website.

Presentations Planning staff made numerous presentations this year to various political subdivisions and local community groups. Topics for these presentations included metropolitan planning organizations, development procedures for townships and municipalities and economic development in Erie County.

Website The Department’s website can be found at:

http://www.eriecounty.oh.gov/departments-and-agencies/economic-development/erie-regional-planning-commission/.

The site is updated to include news and information regarding the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Regional Planning/Zoning, Census Information, Comprehensive Plan Development and Department Publications.

ERIE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ... · Flowchart of Erie County Regional...

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