CICEET Progress Report for the period 3/01/09 Through 8/31/09

Project Title: Improving Land Use in the Lake Erie Basin through Better Planning, Improved Regulations, and Storm Water Modeling
Principal Investigator(s): Amy H. Brennan
Project Start Date: September 1, 2007
Report Compiled By: Rachel M. Webb
Contributing Team Members and Their Role in the Project:

• Amy H. Brennan — Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. Director. Principal Investigator.
• Rachel Webb — CRWP Low Impact Development Coordinator. Project Manager.
• Jay Dorsey, P.E. — Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Water Resources Engineer.;Objective 3 and 4 Modeling Team Member.
• Jon Witter — The Ohio State University, Department of Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering (Ohio NEMO within Department), Assistant Research Professor. Objective 3 and 4 Modeling Team Member.

Project Objectives for This Reporting Period
OBJECTIVE 1: Develop methodology for integrating best available natural resource data into local comprehensive plans. Work with interested member communities to incorporate sophisticated mapping and technically sound natural resource data into local comprehensive planning, document this process, and actively share this with interested watershed planning organizations and communities’ basinwide. Through this Objective, CRWP will assist members in updating their plans and will document the process to provide a methodology for other interested Lake Erie watersheds to complete similar updates.

A. Progress on Objective by Task
1. Prepare and distribute memorandum to member trustees, mayors, and county commissioners. Completed.

2. Present community specific data to at least 16 interested member communities. Presented to 18 CRWP Member Communities. Completed.

3. Work with planners, engineers, law directors, and others in at least 4 interested member communities to incorporate CRWP data into existing comprehensive plans. Completed.

• City of Willoughby completed their revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan in 2008.
• City of Chardon adopted revisions to Comprehensive Land Use Plan on March 12, 2009. (See chardon_comp_plan_pda_pca_map_appx_g.pdf and chardon_ordinance_adopting_pda_pca.pdf)
• City of Eastlake adopted their Comprehensive Land Use Plan on July 14, 2009. (http://www.eastlakeohio.com/departments/economic_development/index.html; the Executive Summary, and Natural Resources Chapter are included with this report – see eastlake_comp_plan_july_2009.pdf)
• Auburn Township conducted an Open House to solicit any public comments on the draft concept plan for the Auburn Corners Area on July 15, 2009. The final draft of the Auburn Concept Plan will be delivered to Auburn Township in September. (See auburn_corners_longrangeplan_open_house.pdf and auburn_corners_longreangeplan_open_house_presentation.pdf)
• City of Mentor in conjunction with the Lake County Planning Commission is updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plan to incorporate CRWP data and new planning strategies.

4. Partner with 2 interested members to fund full comprehensive plan updates. 75% completed.

• City of Eastlake adopted their Comprehensive Land Use Plan on July 14, 2009.
• Auburn Township conducted an Open House to solicit any public comments on the draft concept plan for the Auburn Corners Area on July 15, 2009. The Final Concept Plan will be delivered to Auburn Township in September 2009.
• The City of Mentor, in conjunction with the Lake County Planning Commission, is updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plan to incorporate CRWP data and new planning strategies with remaining CICEET funds.
• City of Willoughby Hills is also updating their Master Plan with CRWP data.

5. Document this process and prepare methodology.
CRWP will document Activities 1 to 4 and prepare a summary for other interested watershed planning organizations at the completion of the project.

B. Knowledge Dissemination Activities

• An Open House was conducted for Auburn Corners Concept Plan to present the Plan and planning concepts to residents and local elected officials. Presentation and Concept Plan are attached.
• City of Eastlake adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This is the first Plan that the City of Eastlake City Council has ever adopted to guide land use planning activities within the City. CRWP continues to work with Lake County Planning Commission and City of Eastlake to implement the strategies noted in the Plan.
• CRWP has submitted the Chagrin River Watershed Balanced Growth Plan to Ohio Lake Erie Commission and presented this Plan at numerous conferences and to the State Assistance Work Group. CRWP will present for endorsement in September 2009 at next OLEC meeting. Plan is on CRWP website http://www.crwp.org/Projects/crwp_bgi_plan.htm.

C. Note Changes to Original Approach to Complete Objective

• The initial approach in Auburn Township was to update the entire comprehensive land use plan. Auburn Township’s Plan was revised in April 2007 and did not require updates. However, the Township was interested in completing some further planning around the targeted are of Auburn Corners. CRWP worked with the Township, Geauga County, and the Kent State University’s Urban Design Center to create a concept plan for this area that incorporates the Chagrin River Watershed Balanced Growth Plan, avoidance of natural resources, balanced growth planning concepts, architectural recommendations, storm water management, and significant public input.
• In several communities comprehensive land use plans have already included natural resource data, but have been slightly revised to incorporate balanced growth maps and planning concepts.

D. Collaboration Activities with Target Stakeholders
As noted above, the collaboration in Auburn Township was focused on a particular planning area and a concept plan has been developed to guide development in this area. In the Cities of Mentor and Eastlake, the partnership with the Lake County Planning Commission has been an effective and will allow CRWP and LCPC to be involved as Lake County communities move forward to implement the recommendations in updated comprehensive land use plans.

E. Project Work Plan for Next Reporting period
CRWP will continue to work on Tasks 4 and 5 during the next reporting period. Work for each Task includes:

• Task 4: Complete plan updates for Mentor and Willoughby Hills.
• Task 5: Document completed tasks in Objective 1.

F. Difficulties in Accomplishing Tasks
No difficulties were encountered during this reporting period.

OBJECTIVE 2:Improve land use regulations to minimize the water quality and quantity impacts of development and document the steps necessary to achieve these improvements. Build on the work accomplished under Objective 1 and work with interested members to adopt and implement model regulations for riparian and wetland setbacks, conservation development, and comprehensive storm water management for water quality and quantity. Adoption of these regulations provides local governments tools to maintain stream and wetland functions as land is developed, ensures site features and water quality issues are considered early in the development process, and storm water management practices minimize water quality impacts. These regulations are the most cost effective and far reaching tools available to watershed planning organizations to improve land use because once adopted, they apply uniformly to all lands in a community.

A. Progress on Objective by Task
1. Present model regulations to at least 10 member communities. Completed

• Comprehensive Storm Water Management Model Regulation:


• Village of Gates Mills: Worked with the Village to review model regulation and tailor to meet their needs.CRWP will continue to work with the Village to assist with the adoption.

• Riparian and Wetland Setback Model Regulation.


• City of Willoughby: Presented the model regulation to City Engineer, Community Development Manager, and Service Director.
• City of Wickliffe: Presented alternatives to adoption of riparian setback regulation. In the City of Wickliffe the riparian area is built out, or is owned by the City or School District. CRWP will continue to work with the City as the review this option.
• Implementation of regulation: Russell and Auburn Township, Chagrin Falls Village, and Cities of Aurora, Pepper Pike, Kirtland, and Willoughby Hills.

• Conservation Development Districts

2. Secure adoption of riparian and wetland setbacks in 2 communities and conservation development in 2 communities. 75% Completed.

• Village of Bentleyville: Presented conservation development district code to Village Zoning Task Force on April 22, 2009. The Village is reviewing this regulation as well as evaluating their comprehensive land use plan for possible revisions. CRWP will continue to work with the Village to tailor the model zoning regulation to meet the Village needs.
• City of Aurora: Provided recommended changes to the City’s conservation development district regulations to the City’s Planning, Zoning & Building Director in April 2009. CRWP will continue to work with the City to update this regulation to meet their needs as they to move forward.
• City of Mentor: Reviewed riparian setback regulation for the City Engineer.

3. Secure adoption of comprehensive storm water management model regulation in 5 communities. Completed.

• Lake County Stormwater Management Department (LCSMD): Worked with the LCSMD to review the Lake County Stormwater regulation and provide feedback regarding necessary updates. CRWP will continue to work with LCSMD to assist with changes and adoption to the County regulation.
• City of Kirtland: Worked with the LCSMD to review the City of Kirtland regulation and provide feedback regarding necessary updates. CRWP will continue to work with LCSMD to assist with changes and adoption to the regulation.
• City of Mentor: Review the proposed storm water regulation for the City Engineer. The regulation is expected to be adopted in September 2009.
• Cities of Solon and Willoughby; Assisted with implementation of regulation.

4. Document the process in each community whereby regulations are adopted and develop methodology. 50% Completed.
Documentation is being tracked and methodology will be completed at the close of the Objective.

B. Knowledge Dissemination Activities
As described in the above section, CRWP has provided several Member communities with regulation implementation assistance during this and past reporting periods. Implementation assistance can involve plan review for the CRWP Member, or direct land owner assistance to ensure compliance with their storm water, riparian, and conservation development regulations. CRWP will continue to provide this hands-on technical assistance and guidance to communities.

C. Note Changes to Original Approach to Complete Objective
Under Task 2, CRWP has been working with Member communities to review and adopt a conservation development district zoning regulation in 2 communities. In 2008 CRWP worked with Village of South Russell to adopt this zoning regulation. CRWP has also provided recommended code and recommended changes to existing codes to Bentleyville and Aurora; however, with the current economic crisis and the slowdown of development the pressure to adopt such zoning regulations has lessened. Several CRWP Member communities are reviewing and updating local comprehensive plans. CRWP has worked with additional communities to incorporate natural resource data described under Objective 1 into their comprehensive plans. CRWP has worked with at seven communities to incorporate this data into comprehensive plans as well as incorporate balanced growth planning concepts and recommend riparian and wetland setbacks and conservation development regulations. Adoption of conservation development zoning in an additional Member community is not likely to occur before the end of 2009, however CRWP will continue to work with Members to update local comprehensive plans and assist in the adoption and implementation of recommended regulations.

D. Collaboration Activities with Target Stakeholders
CRWP was able to collaborate with Member communities to provide implementation assistance as described under Tasks 1-3. CRWP will continue collaboration with the Lake County Stormwater Management Department (LCSMD) to assist their Member communities review and update their stormwater management regulations.

E. Project Work Plan for Next Reporting Period
Task 4: Document completed tasks in Objective 2.

F. Difficulties in Accomplishing Tasks
No difficulties were encountered during this reporting period.

OBJECTIVE 3: Use computer simulation models to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative and traditional storm water management strategies at the development site scale. Ohio NEMO will work with CRWP to identify representative sites, select appropriate models, develop input data sets, execute model simulations, and summarize results. Model selection will be driven by several factors including the physical characteristics of the study site, management scenarios that are to be modeled, and capabilities and limitations of the modeling tool. Ohio NEMO expects to use an urban hydrology model that is capable of simulating the impact of various management strategies, such as gutter disconnection, bioretention, and swales, on water quantity and quality for individual developments. For example, Ohio NEMO expects to use the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and Source Loading and Management Model (SLAMM). These computer models were developed to model both quantity and quality of storm water runoff in urban and urbanizing environments.

Please note that CRWP entered into a subcontract with Ohio NEMO on November 12, 2007 to complete Objectives 3 and 4. The following accomplishments were completed by the Modeling Team, composed of Ohio NEMO and staff from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) through this subcontract.

A. Progress on Objective by Task
1. Identify representataive development sites. Completed.
2. Model selection. Completed.

• As previously reported an error was found in the modeling software that made modeling detention basins and bioretention difficult. The model developers updated the model and addressed the problems in their new 9.4 version of the WinSLAMM software. The model developers provided ODNR and Ohio NEMO with a pre-release of the new version to test the corrections to model issues identified, allowing the Modeling Team to re-compile/re-run data.

• Management scenarios including detention basin configurations for all land uses and pervious pavement on parking lots of commercial properties were added.
  

5. Execute model simulations and summarize results. 75% Completed.

• All model scenarios were re-compiled/re-run using the latest version of WinSLAMM (v9.4) to ensure both consistency and the best technical accuracy.
• Results are being summarized in both a final report and a PowerPoint presentation to finalize during the next reporting period.

C. Note Changes to Original Approach to Complete Objective
An error in the modeling software was identified. The error was traced to one of two components of the model and the software authors were notified. The correction to the program was made and the data was re-compiled/re-run. This process required additional time, but provided more accurate results.

D. Collaboration Activities with Target Stakeholders
The modeling team has received stakeholder input from County SWCD’s, stormwater professionals, and CRWP Member communities that have helped guide the modeling activity.

E. Project Work Plan for Next Reporting Period
Task 5: Finalize summary report and presentation.

F. Difficulties in Accomplishing Tasks
Task 5: Finalize summary report and presentation.

OBJECTIVE 4: Use computer simulation models to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative and traditional storm water management strategies at the development site scale. Ohio NEMO will develop watershed-scale scenarios to evaluate the potential of stream rehabilitation and other storm water management practices to meet comprehensive storm water management goals. This approach will incorporate results from Objective 3 and use HEC-GeoRAS (or equivalent) to model impacts at a watershed scale. HEC-GeoRAS will also be used to evaluate the storm water management benefits of floodplain detention associated with stream rehabilitation.

A .Progress on Objective by Task
1. Identify representative subwatersheds. Completed
2. Model selection. Completed
3. Data collection and preparation.Completed
4. Execute model simulations and summarize results.75% Completed

• Model simulations have been completed using the re-compiled/re-run data sets as referenced in Objective 3.
• The summary report will be completed in the next report.

C. Note Changes to Original Aproach to Complete Objective
The approach was modified several times throughout the course of the project to improve the process and results. Some of the improvements were driven by input from the intended user group. Other changes and improvements were made based on the collaborative input from the project team (e.g. CRWP, Ohio NEMO, and ODNR).

As referenced under Objective 3, the data sets were re-compiled/re-run using a new version of the WinSLAMM Software requiring additional time, but providing more accurate results.

D. Collaboration Activities with Target Stakeholders
Stakeholder input helped to guide the modeling activity. The level of analysis and expertise required to perform a watershed scale hydraulic routing analysis may make it difficult for local governments to incorporate the process into everyday activities; however, the purpose of the watershed scale modeling was to develop results that will help inform local governments and stormwater programs on the potential benefits of managing floodplains and riparian corridors as a stormwater management strategy.

E. Project Work Plan for Next Reporting Period
Task 4: Finalize summary report.

F. Difficulties in Accomplishing Tasks
No difficulties were encountered during this reporting period. Changes to watershed scale modeling approach required additional time; however the changes have greatly improved the efficiency of future modeling exercises.

OBJECTIVE 5: Work with the OLEC, Ohio NEMO, and Ohio’s Watershed Coordinator Program to disseminate this information throughout the Lake Erie basin. CRWP will coordinate with Ohio NEMO, Ohio Lake Erie Commission Balanced Growth Project pilot watersheds, watershed coordinators in Ohio, and local, regional and state audiences to disseminate the results and lessons learned from Objectives 1 to 4 this Project.

A .Progress on Objective by Task
CRWP will coordinate with Ohio NEMO, Ohio Lake Erie Commission Balanced Growth Project pilot watersheds, watershed coordinators in Ohio, and local, regional and state audiences to disseminate the results and lessons learned from Objectives 1 to 4 this Project.
br> 1. Disseminate methodologies from Objectives 1 to 4 to the Ohio Lake Erie Commission Balanced Growth Pilot Projects, watershed coordinators, and local, regional and state audiences. Completed.
CRWP presented to the following groups:

• CRWP presented at the Ohio Watershed Coordinators annual watershed coordinator conference on August 27, 2009
• CRWP will be presenting at the Annual Ohio Statewide Floodplain Management Conference in September 2009.

• CRWP, ODNR, and Ohio NEMO presented at the Ohio Stormwater Conference May 14.
• CRWP and ODNR presented at the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservations District, Summer Supervisor School on July 27.
• CRWP, ODNR and Ohio NEMO presented at the Ohio Watershed Coordinators annual watershed coordinator conference on August 27, 2009.

• CRWP is a member of the Northeast Ohio Storm Water Training Council (NEOSWTC).The Council will be sponsoring 6 training session in 2009 on various storm water subjects
• CRWP worked with the NEOSWTC, Ohio Coastal Training Program and Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve to plan and develop the University of New Hampshire Post-Construction BMP Performance – Research Results and Design Guidance workshop held on August 5.CRWP presented at the workshop on regulations necessary to implement innovative storm water strategies at the community level.
• As part of the NEOSWTC, CRWP is planning the training session:Green Infrastructure in Northeast Ohio. The workshop will include speakers from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Neighborhood Technology, and will include presentations of local case studies on green infrastructure and low impact development. The workshop is scheduled for November 4.

• CRWP will continue to partner with Ohio EPA, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Ohio Lake Erie Commission, County soil and water conservation districts, and local education institutions to develop training on storm water and balanced growth objectives for Northeast Ohio.

B. Knowledge Dissemination Activities
See Section A for Objective 5.

C. Note Changes to Original Aproach to Complete Objective
Under Task 2 and 3, CRWP proposed to hold a training session to disseminate the results from Objective 1-4. With the inception of the NEOSWTC, CRWP has partnered with other stormwater education providers on 6 training opportunities in Northeast Ohio. CRWP is involved with the planning or presentations for each of training workshop in 2009. While these training opportunities are not specifically focused on the results from Objective 1-4, they have provided the opportunity for CRWP to include components from each at 3 of the workshops.
CRWP will continue to work with the NEOSWTC to plan and present at future training workshops.

D. Collaboration Activities with Target Stakeholders
See Section A for Objective 5.

E. Project Work Plan for Next Reporting Period
CRWP will continue to present information on Objectives 1 to 4 to Member communities and to local, regional and statewide audiences; and coordinate and plan regional training opportunities with Ohio NEMO and CRWP partners.

F. Difficulties in Accomplishing Tasks
No difficulties were encountered during this reporting period.