1. Connecting Communities Planning Grant & Planning Tools Curtis Baker, Planning Administrator Krista Beniston, Planning Coordinator October 12, 2012 @amatsplanning Facebook.com/ amatsplanning

2. Connecting Communities Initiative Initiative to integrate land use and transportation planning Aid AMATS in targeting investment Promote transit, bicycle and pedestrian uses in the region Recommendations & strategies for implementation

3. Why is it important? Disconnect between transportation and land use planning Area lacks direction for bike and sidewalk investments that complement highways Low-density development is straining infrastructure and community services Improve collaboration between agencies

7. A number of our local communities dont have planning capacity Help deter haphazard development in high growth areas & re-envision areas in decline Small investment to help leverage other funds Opportunity for collaboration Transportation improvements as a means to strengthen neighborhoods, promote economic development & increase accessibility Planning Grant - Purpose Connecting Communities

8. Planning Grant – What is it? Connecting Communities Partnership between AMATS & local communities Provides funding for developing plans that integrate land use and transportation – Increase transportation choices – Enhance economic competitiveness – Support existing communities Two $50,000 grants annually Next round: Fall 2012

9. Planning Tools Bike Plan Pedestrian Plan Transit Plan Fright Plan Safety (Traffic Crash Report) Congestion (Congestion Management Plan) Preservation (Highway Preservation Needs)

10. Bike Plan

11. Bike User Map & Switching-Gears

12. Pedestrian Plan

13. Transit Plan

14. Freight Plan

15. Safety

16. Congestion 2012 Congestion Management Process (CMP)

17. Planning Grant Process Connecting Communities Partnership with AMATS AMATS hires a consultant selected by the community and AMATS $100,000 available for two $50,000 grants 100% funding (no local match required) Goals – Increase transportation choices – Enhance economic competitiveness – Support existing communities

18. Planning Grant Process Connecting Communities Eligibility – Promote multi-modal transportation options – Must be consistent with Connecting Communities – Does not include preliminary engineering, ROW, construction or environmental documentation Scoring – Description of area & issues – Purpose of study & expected outcomes – How it addresses Connecting Communities – Public involvement component – Implementation strategy

19. Downtown Akron Connectivity Study Cit of Akron/METRO RTA Improve connectivity, accessibility and mobility between the districts in Downtown Akron Emphasis on non-auto modes of transportation

20. Streetscape Walkability Downtown Akron Connectivity Study

21. Crossroad District Plan Village of Richfield 550 acres, bound by I-271 & I-77 Pro-actively plan for future development along prime land with good interstate development Encourage existing and new development focuses on multi-modal transportation, community character & economic development

23. Stakeholder Meetings Crossroad District Plan

24. Comprehensive Land Use & Transportation Plan Village of Boston Heights Completion of Rt 8 project creates a prime area for development Currently the village have very few tools to control development Develop a plan to connect areas of the village & promote balanced growth

25. Safe Alternatives: Less Traffic City of Ravenna High traffic corridor connecting 3 communities – 2 high crash locations – Worn foot/bike paths Major investments happening in the area Identify safe alternate modes & increase connections to capitalize on existing & fututure assets

26. Planning Grant Schedule – Notice of Funding Availability: November 1, 2012 – Application: November 30, 2012 – Applications Due: January 15, 2013 – Award Announcement: March 2013 Application Tips – Use planning tools & focus on land use & transportation connection – Discuss project/ideas with AMATS

27. Resources – Connecting Communities Report – amatsplanning.org – switching-gears.org Staff Contacts – Curtis Baker, Planning Administrator cbaker@akronohio.gov cbaker@akronohio.gov – Krista Beniston, Planning Coordinator kbeniston@akronohio.gov kbeniston@akronohio.gov – 330.375.2436 @amatsplanning Facebook.com/ amatsplanning