Vision, Framework and Action Products March 2014

In 2010, 23 Northeast Ohio Organizations collaborated on a proposal to the U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) as part of the partnership for Sustainable Communities Initiative. The Initiative is an interagency collaboration among HUD, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Result: $4.25m Federal Grant. The Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC) is a 33-member Consortium of Metropolitan Planning Agencies, Municipal and County Governments, Government Agencies and Non-Profits.

Counties Ashtabula County Cuyahoga County Mahoning County Summit County Trumbull County Legacy Cities City of Akron City of Cleveland City of Elyria City of Youngstown Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Councils of Government Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) Eastgate Regional Council of Governments Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning & Development Organization (NEFCO) Stark County Area Transportation Study (SCATS) Metropolitan Housing Authorities Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority Colleges and Universities Cleveland State University Lorain County Community College Youngstown State University Authorities Commissions and Districts Cleveland Metroparks Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Stark County Regional Planning Commission Summit County Health District Non-Governmental Organizations Akron Urban League Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown Center for Community Solutions Cleveland Museum of Natural History Fund for Our Economic Future Lorain County Growth Partnership Northeast Ohio Community Development Alliance Policy Bridge Regional Prosperity Initiative Our Team: Consortium Members

Mahoning Wayne Stark Lorain Medina Summit Portage Trumbull Ashtabula Geauga Lake Cuyahoga Who: Engage stakeholders throughout the region through different ways and methods. How: Regional engagement using a scenario planning process that creates a shared vision. What: A framework to create a more vibrant, resilient and sustainable Northeast Ohio. VIBRANT NEO 2040 is a three year planning process across 12 counties

Why this matters to the Business Community Focus on Regional Competitiveness Improve Governmental Efficiency: Quantify the costs of incremental decisions. Increase governmental collaboration Align policies and resources Improve Equity and Affordability: Improve labor force access to regional employment opportunities Leverage investment in transit to support competitive job centers and corridors Develop a diverse, transit-accessible, affordable housing that addresses niched regional housing markets.

Focus on Regional Competitiveness Enhance Quality of Place Promote investment in established communities Connect transit to job centers and housing Leverage park networks, waterfronts and unique community assets across NEO. Why this matters to the Business Community

“Where are we headed currently?” “What are the possibilities?” “Where do we want to go?” Open Houses July 29 – Aug 2 August - DecemberMay - JulyJanuary - April The REGIONAL VISION Planning Process Vision Sessions Oct 7 – Oct 17 a Workshops April 30 – May 1 Regional Vision Initiation and “Trend” Scenario Alternative Scenarios Vision, Framework and Products Presentation NEOSCC Board Meeting 12/17 Caucus Sessions Oct 16 – Nov 1 a

What is a REGIONAL VISION? An aspirational future for Northeast Ohio, built upon public engagement, and accompanied by a set of recommendations and tools to help make it a reality Objective Findings Community Values REGIONAL VISION

Where are we currently heading as a region? Continued development at the edges of our metro areas on land that requires new infrastructure and public services. Abandonment of existing communities that already have infrastructure and public services. Increasing distance between people and their jobs. Limited transportation options other than our personal vehicles Increased fiscal stress on both households and local governments.

Trend of outward migration – dispersed development + abandonment + rising infrastructure costs + rising transportation costs and distances Current Trend: Outward Migration Results: Increasing abandonment risk Mounting infrastructure costs Rising transportation costs, increased distances, fewer transportation options (other than car)

Current trends will result in declining fiscal health across the region -0.3%

Workshop Map Activity Public Feedback

Public Feedback – Place Types

Community Categorization by Growth Patterns Legacy Cities (Pre 1910) Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Elyria, Lorain, Warren, Youngstown 1 st Ring Suburbs ( ) Cleveland Heights, Wickliffe, Sheffield, Parma, Mogadore, East Canton, Howland, etc. 2 nd Ring Suburbs ( ) Orange, Eastlake, Norton, Fairlawn, Boardman, Liberty, North Olmstead, etc. Outer Ring Suburbs (1970-present) Bainbridge, Avon, Westlake, Twinsburgh, Bazetta, etc. Established Cities & Towns (varies) Medina, Painesville, Ravenna, Wooster, Niles, Ashtabula, Kent, Oberlin, etc. Rural Townships (varies) Parkman, Wellington, Westfield, Hiram, Wyndham, Saybrook, Jackson, Gustavus 95%91% 86%

 2925 engaged through Workshops & Imagine MyNEO  1412 engaged through Public Opinion Polling  1263 engaged through other meetings Total of 5600 Engaged 4,337 Engaged through Work Shops, Imagine MyNEO & Polls % of Attendees and ParticipantsActual Census Ashtabula4%3% Cuyahoga38%33% Geauga2% Lake6% Lorain9%8% Mahoning7%6% Medina3%5% Portage4% Stark7%10% Summit13%14% Trumbull6% Wayne1%3% Outreach

Recommendation Sources Board of Directors Technical Steering Committee Caucuses Vision Sessions RECOMMENDATIONS AND INITIATIVES

8 Objectives: the outcomes that the Vision aims to achieve 4 Themes: the key Vision topic areas 9 Recommendations and 41 Initiatives: the steps and tools to realize the Vision. 22 Development Strategies: local resources for creating great places consistent with the Vision objectives 13 Indicators: the regional performance metrics that will tell us whether we are on track to attain the Vision Vision Components

Objectives are broad and envisioned to meet the shared needs and challenges of a diverse region. Themes serve to inspire, organize and guide the regional decision-making process. Recommendations & Initiatives are strategic considerations to be tailored and implemented by local communities to meet their priorities. Objectives, Themes, Recommendations and Initiatives

VISION Objectives

Develop our regional economy with accessible employment opportunities Overarching objective: promote investment in our established communities Vision Objectives

Improve our regional fiscal health Vision Objectives Enhance our regional transportation network

Vision Objectives Protect our soil, water, air, and ecologically sensitive areas Vision Objectives Cultivate and celebrate our local assets and places of public value

Expand our parks and open space network Vision Objectives Preserve and value our prime farmland as a regional economic asset

Themes and Recommendations

Theme #1 Strengthen Established Communities

Where do we want to be in 2040?

Vibrant NEO 2040: Proposed Regional Vision

Local Examples: Akron

Local Examples: Youngstown

Local Examples: Cleveland

Focus new residential and commercial development on sites within established communities 1 Vision Recommendation

Develop a robust network of regional job centers connected by multimodal transportation corridors within and between counties 2 Vision Recommendation

3 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund – Priority Investment Areas Pursue the remediation, assembly, marketing, and redevelopment of abandoned properties at both the local and regional levels Vision Recommendation

4 Encourage a higher frequency of mixed-use development and a range of diverse, affordable housing options

Theme #2 Increase Transportation Choice

HOW DO WE GET THERE? Expanded Regional Transit Network 2040: Connected Communities

5 Vision Recommendation Enhance and coordinate the region’s rail and bus services

6 Vision Recommendation Enhance walking and cycling as transportation options to increase regional mobility and improve public health

Theme #3 Preserve and protect natural resources

2040: Robust Open Space Networks

Local Examples: Akron

Local Examples: Youngstown

Local Examples: Cleveland

7 Vision Recommendation Preserve our natural areas for future generations, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and develop a regional approach to protecting air, water, and soil quality

8 Vision Recommendation Support sustainable agriculture and the local food system in Northeast Ohio

Theme #4 Promote Collaboration and Efficiency

9 Vision Recommendation Increase the collaboration among the region’s government agencies to expand information sharing and find more cost-effective means to provide essential services

Putting it Together: Vibrant NEO 2040

Vibrant NEO 2040: Proposed Regional Vision

Vibrant NEO 2040: Proposed Regional Vision

Vibrant NEO 2040: Proposed Regional Vision

Dashboard Visualization tool that communicates a set of indicators and metrics, against which progress toward the Vibrant NEO 2040 vision will be measured. Tool Kit & Best Practices Implementation tools and techniques to realize the regional preferred vision developed through Vibrant NEO Policy Recommendations Framework for analyzing the effects existing policies have on the region and determining what may be needed to create desired change. Pilots Emerging best practices that show promise in moving the region towards the Vibrant NEO 2040 preferred vision. Action Product Overview

Additional Products Regional parcel-based land use and zoning maps. Envision Tomorrow and Fiscal Impact Analysis software and data sets. Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice/FHEA addressing issues of equity and housing affordability/choice across NEO. HUD Flagship Sustainability Indicators comparing NEO with other communities across the country.

Questions?