Minutes of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission/Solid Waste Policy Committee
September 14, 2006
ATTENDANCE
Attachment A lists the attendance at this meeting, at which the following matters were
discussed.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mayor Ken Patton, seconded by Mayor Blomquist, the minutes of the July 20, 2006
meeting were unanimously approved.
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL ISSUES
Green Infrastructure: A Proposed Regional Partnership
Mr. Alsenas stated that the issue of Green Infrastructure is being presented for information
today and for possible action at a later date. Mr. Alsenas explained that the CPC undertook
the Greenspace Initiative several years ago which started a whole new community awareness of
greenspace and from that process the CPC developed the Cuyahoga County Greenprint, "a
site-specific map containing all the elements of green infrastructure." However, due to early
retirements and other conditions, the CPC staff was unable to continue work on the Greenspace
project.
Mr. Alsenas stated that the Cleveland Metroparks, the CPC, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District and the Cuyahoga Remedial Action Plan (RAP), which are all organizations involved in natural systems and green infrastructure, have been meeting informally at the staff level to discuss how to formalize their relationships to use their resources toward this initiative.
Mr. Alsenas stated that the group has drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is to be adopted by each organization to integrate the collaboration and provide an approach to addressing the very important issues of green infrastructure.
Mr. Alsenas explained that this partnership will try to achieve a more systemic and less haphazard way to work on green infrastructure issues. The group would develop multi-functional not single purpose approaches, work on large scale not just small scale projects, better manage growth and development, and raise the visibility of this issue among the public, public officials and hopefully leverage the advantages that this region has over other cities and regions.
The MOU outlines the five (5) shared goals that have been developed, which are to: enhance the stewardship of natural spaces; increase public access to natural spaces; preserve and restore ecologically sensitive areas; restore urban watersheds; and encourage sustainable land development. Mr. Alsenas stated that although the goals are general they will help identify the key issues.
Mr. Alsenas stated that this issue was brought forward today to advise the CPC that staff is involved in these conversations and to ask for your guidance on what should be included and/or what direction we should proceed.
Mayor Mulcahy asked if the Greenspace Initiative is going to be used as the basis for this effort or is it going to be replaced. Mr. Alsenas responded that the Greenspace Initiative will be the basis and will be added to and built upon. The participating agencies are in agreement that the Greenprint is the starting pointing for moving forward on green infrastructure for the community.
Commissioner Hagan asked that the record reflect that Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones had arrived and voted in the affirmative to adopt the July 20, 2006 minutes.
Mr. Alsenas reported that the planned next steps for the Green Infrastructure project was to have the organizations continue to meet and possibly convene the directors of the organizations in October to start discussions at the policy level.
Mr. Kastelic, representing the Cleveland Metroparks, stated that the Metroparks is deeply involved in developing the Green Infrastructure initiative. Mr. Kastelic noted that the flooding problems that have occurred, particularly this past summer, makes it more important than ever to work on this issue. He stated that the Metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park have been victimized by the loss of trails and closure of parks because of what has been developed adjacent to their reservations and parks; what goes on next to these natural areas is important to preserving the infrastructure.
Mr. Jim White, Director of Cuyahoga Remedial Action Plan, stated that there was enormous support among its members for this Green Infrastructure Initiative. He stated that the tributary and watershed planning that is being done all over the county will benefit from this issue.
Mayor Blomquist asked whether there was a mechanism to expand the organization to include the watershed councils. Mr. Alsenas responded that the five agencies have discussed future membership but felt it was important to first focus on getting the five major organizations committed to this initiative. He explained that this was envisioned to be an open partnership, available to organizations not only in Cuyahoga County but in the Northeast Ohio region.
Cuyahoga Valley Initiative
Mr. Alsenas reported that there have been some critical successes with the Cuyahoga Valley
Initiative (CVI). He reported that literally thousands of people have discovered the Valley
through organized tours that the staff has conducted over the last year.
Mr. Alsenas reported on the other activities of the CVI project. The Green Bulkhead project has received a $500,000 federal appropriation which will address a critical problem in the Cuyahoga River navigational channel. The design, installation, testing and possible proliferation of the green bulkheads will address a $1 billion national market demand for this type of product.
Mr. Alsenas reported that the contract, which is on the agenda today, with Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S) will allow for the continuation of the work done by the Rocky Mountain Institute. E4S will continue to work with the core companies in the Valley who have identified at least twenty (20) materials that maybe be considered "waste" to one company but can be a resource for another company. The Waste=Revenue Roundtable is similar to initiatives that are being done in Germany and Denmark and will be the start of a new industrial economy in the Valley.
Mr. Alsenas reported that the under the vestiges of the CVI project, the five communities that comprise the Willow District (Cuyahoga Heights, Garfield Heights, Brooklyn Heights, Valley View and Independence) have been studied by Schmidt Copeland Parker Stevens, Inc. to determine how the main ideas of the CVI can be applied and the staff hopes to show the results at the next meeting.
Mr. Alsenas stated that exciting developments are happening with the Towpath Trail. The first section from the terminus at Harvard Road to the southern edge of Steelyard Commons is to start design shortly and the section of the Trail along Steelyard Commons is under construction. Mr. Alsenas said that an example of how the Towpath Trail can spur economic development has already occurred. He explained that two Chicago Institute of Art faculty members, hired by SPACES Art Gallery, from a Board of County Commissioners ACE grant to do the public art component, has shown how the slag waste generated by Mittal Steel can be turned into a material that can be used to build the Towpath Trail. As a consequence, the American Slag Association, Lefarge Industries and Mittal Steel are talking about making a $15-20 million investment.
Mr. Alsenas reported that a group is working with private property owners south of Whiskey Island to discuss ways to construct the Towpath Trail up to Whiskey Island at their own expense.
Mr. Alsenas reported that the work to develop and design an organizational capacity to carry forward the design of the CVI has been proceeding. The CPC has engaged Currere Inc., to determine what type of capacity is needed to advance the vision of the CVI. Mr. Alsenas reported that in the last year and a half, CVI staff has met with about eighty (80) individuals representing traditional and nontraditional organizations, leaders, emerging leaders and citizens who were identified as needing to be consulted to get a sense of what the organization in the Valley should be about. Mr. Alsenas stated that this effort has been funded by a two-year $500,000 Gund Foundation grant.Housing
Mr. Alsenas reported that the staff has continued to investigate the county housing market
in response to issues presented by Mayor Longo several meetings ago. CPC staff has met with
the staff of the Cleveland Foundation and with County Treasurer Jim Rokakis but have not
gotten a clear sense on what has developed and if some type of formalized initiative is
needed.
Innerbelt
Mr. Alsenas reported that the Conceptual Alternative Report was finally made available by the
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The Innerbelt Design Review Team met the previous
evening and the design selection process has been constrained by ODOT to only selecting a
bridge type. Mr. Alsenas explained that by constraining the budget and pushing for an outcome
that Cleveland will not get a signature or iconic bridge but a regular highway bridge with
a structure placed on top. ODOT reported that even though public comment has been in favor
of a bicycle and pedestrian component, it will not be considered.
Commissioner Hagan stated that it is up to Mayor Jackson to tell ODOT what it is needed and that with a likely change in state government in November it would be best to delay any decision so that the next Governor can instruct the new ODOT Director on what is best for the Innerbelt.
RESOLUTIONS
General
On a motion by Mayor Ken Blomquist, seconded by Mayor Ken Patton, Resolution No. 060914-A,
authorizing the CPC to participate in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' development of a
High Performance Shoreline Management System ("Green Bulkhead") through the Cuyahoga River
Environmental Restoration Project, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Kelley, seconded by Mayor Mulcahy, Resolution No. 060914-B, approving a contract with Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S) to assist in the development of a Waste=Revenue Roundtable Program, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Gorden, seconded by Mayor Ken Patton, Resolution No. 060914-C, authorizing an extension of the contract with Schmidt Copeland Parker Stevens, Inc. for the Cuyahoga Valley Model Codes, Design Guidelines and Sustainable Practices Project until April 30, 2007, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Kelley, seconded by Mayor Ken Patton, Resolution No. 060914-D, authorizing a contractual arrangement for planning services with the City of Euclid, was unanimously approved.
On a motion by Mayor Ken Patton, seconded by Mayor Kelley, Resolution No. 060914-E, authorizing a contract amendment and an extension for planning services with the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District for the Lower Euclid Creek project, was unanimously approved.
Olmsted Township
Ms. Kris Hopkins asked that the two resolutions be presented in reverse order.
Ms. Hopkins explained that there are two resolutions needed for Olmsted Township and that the resolutions deal with two distinctly different issues and that the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) provides the CPC with different roles for these two situations.
In regards to Resolution No. 060914-G, the CPC has adopted subdivision regulations that apply to the unincorporated areas of the County so that the CPC is the decision-making body when it comes to subdividing property.
For Resolution No. 060914-F, which deals with a change to the Township's zoning code; the Township has home rule authority to adopt a zoning code. However, to make a change to the zoning code, the CPC is required to provide a recommendation to the Township but the Township officials are under no obligation to follow the CPC's recommendation.
On a motion by Mayor Kelley, seconded by Mayor Ken Patton, the CPC unanimously approved Resolution 060914-G, approving a one-year extension of the Preliminary Layout for Wheaton Farms, PRD Subdivision.
In regards to Resolution 060914-F, Ms. Hopkins explained the staff's recommendation on the Township's Rezoning Resolution No. E-06. The resolution is to rezone approximately 33.4 acres of land that lies within the boundaries of the Permanent Parcel No. 265-19-007 from R-40 Single-Family Residential District to R-30 Single-Family Residential District.
Ms. Hopkins explained that the CPC's general rule is to review the zoning request in view of the Township's Comprehensive Land Use Plan with the understanding that it is a formally adopted document. Ms. Hopkins explained that the current Land Use Plan was adopted in 1998 and that the Township in 2000 updated its zoning code and map in response to the Plan. One of the goals of the Plan was to eliminate incentives to annexation to Olmsted Falls where higher densities were likely to be granted. The Trustees thought that offering a density of 2.25 units an acre and requiring that there must be land aggregated for common open space would be an anti-annex incentive and the Trustees would get the type of land use they wanted.
Ms. Hopkins stated that the Trustees do not always get the outcome that they want, but they have not updated their comprehensive land use plan. Ms. Hopkins stated that in light of our policy to follow the land use plan, the staff came to the conclusion that the applicant's request to change the density from R-40 to R-30 is not contrary to the land use plan and recommended approval.
Ms. Hopkins explained that the 33-acre parcel at the R-40 designation would provide approximately 30 units; however, if the zoning is changed to R-30 there would be 39 units and if the area became a PRD it would generate 74 units at 2.25 per acre.
Ms. Hopkins explained that recently developers have started to go to court when the Township has denied a rezoning request so the staff didn't evaluate the request in terms of whether R-40 was best but whether R-30 was better than alternative zoning designations.
Commissioner Hagan stated that to either accept or reject the request was only a recommendation and the Trustees can ignore what the CPC recommends.
Mayor Blomquist recommended that the CPC not vote on this resolution for a number of reasons, the most important being the overcrowding of the schools. Mayor Blomquist stated that the school overcrowding is about controlling growth.
Commissioner Hagan stated that perhaps the Trustees have determined that they wanted to go in a different direction from the policies stated in the Township's Land Use Plan, but that the CPC should not "not vote" on this resolution, but should recommend something even though the Trustees can ignore our recommendations. The only thing we can do is provide them with our best judgment. The Trustees can do what they like, but the CPC should be on record with a recommendation.
Mayor Blomquist stated that it is how we arrive at these decisions that are the problem. The CPC staff does good work but the decision was based on a premise that has something missing. He pointed out that it is only within the R-40 district do you have the overlay of the conceptual plan and the goals to preserve land.
Commissioner Hagan stated that we have to realize that Olmsted Township is not rural anymore and whether we approve this resolution or not, the trustees have the power to make their own decision.
Commissioner Hagan stated that he would agree to disapprove the resolution but that would not convey the CPC's opinion that the number of units should be limited and would provide no guidance to the Trustees.
Ms. Hopkins asked for a point of clarification, stating that would it be better for the staff report to stay the same but the resolution to be changed recommending denial of the rezoning application and putting a statement in the resolution that it is the CPC's opinion that it is better for the zoning to remain at R-40.
Mayor Blomquist agreed with this approach and moved to amend the Resolution No. 060914-F to disapprove the Rezoning Resolution No. E-06. This motion was seconded by Mayor Ken Patton and unanimously approved.
Mayor Blomquist then moved to approve Resolution No. 060914-F as amended. The motion was seconded by Mayor Ken Patton and unanimously approved.
SOLID WASTE DISTRICT REPORT
Mr. Holland reported that the Solid Waste District and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health would
be hosting a Trash Talk breakfast on how the Flu Pandemic will impact municipal government
operations particularly solid waste collection. Experts are warning that municipalities should
expect a 40% absentee rate from their waste collectors due to the effects of the flu which
will disrupt waste collection. Mr. Holland stated that all of the County's service directors
have been invited to this presentation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Ed Hauser addressed the CPC regarding the Innerbelt Project and waterfront planning
activities. Mr. Hauser briefly highlighted the documents he distributed to the CPC. He stated
that the public process had broken down in Innerbelt project and that ODOT was proceeding ahead
regardless of what the public has asked.
Mr. Hauser stated that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) had proposed a maritime study of the port but because the Port Authority started a study to determine the location of the port, the BOCC stopped its study. He asked that the BOCC proceed with its study.
Commissioner Hagan stated that the County is working in conjunction with the City and Port Authority and that the County is not going to proceed with an independent study.
NEXT MEETING
Commissioner Dimora announced that the next CPC meeting would be held on Thursday, November 9,
2006.
Attachment A
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission/Solid Waste Policy Committee
| September 14, 2006 ATTENDANCE RECORD | |
|---|---|
| Member | Present |
| Mayor Robert Blomquist | Yes |
| Mr. Robert Brown for Mayor Jackson | Yes - represented by Mr. Cantor |
| Commissioner Jimmy Dimora | Yes |
| Mayor Merle Gorden | Yes |
| Commissioner Timothy Hagan | Yes |
| Mayor Jerry Hruby | No |
| Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones | Yes |
| Mayor Edward Kelley | Yes |
| Mayor Thomas Longo | Yes - represented by Mayor Mulcahy |
| Mayor Eileen Patton | No |
| Mayor Kenneth Patton | Yes |
| SOLID WASTE POLICY COMMITTEE | |
| Ms. Virginia Aveni | Yes |
| Mr. Jack Licate | Yes |
| Others: Paul Alsenas, Chris Alvarado, John DeMuth, Patrick Holland, Kristin Hopkins | |
