Plain Township Comprehensive Mini Master Plan. Prepared by: Stark County Regional Planning Commission 11/1/2012

Transcription

1 2012 Plain Township Comprehensive Mini Master Plan Prepared by: Stark County Regional Planning Commission 11/1/2012

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 5 Vision, Goals and Objectives... 6 Vision Statement... 6 Land Use Planning Goals... 6 Capital Improvement Goals...7 Service Goals... 7 Demand Capacity Analysis... 9 Population Growth... 9 Population Projections...13 Land Use Capacity...14 Zoning and Development Commercial Development Residential Development Parks and Open Space Summary of Current Park Facilities Existing Parks Inventory...27 Additional Open Space Needs Recommendations...34 Transportation Planning Transportation Analysis...37 Transportation Recommendations Capital Improvements Planning Fire/Emergency Medical Services Stark County Sheriff...46 Storm Sewers...47 Sanitary Sewers...48 Home Sewage...50 Water Overall Plan Recommendations Sustainable Development Practices Planning Policy Areas...52 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 2

3 List of Tables and Illustrations Demand Capacity Analysis... 9 Population Growth... 9 Population Projections...13 Acres by Land Use...14 Acres by Zoning District...16 Land Available for Development by Zoning District...16 Zoning and Development Streetscaping Examples Parks and Open Space Park and Recreation Facilities Available to Plain Twp. Residents Plain Twp. Parks and Recreation Plain Local Schools Recreational Facilities Facility Standards for Recreational Facilities Canton Parks Accessible to Plain Twp. Residents...30 North Canton Parks Accessible to Plain Twp. Residents Proposed Stark County Trails and Greenways Located Within Plain Township...32 Transportation Planning Cost per Township Road Mile Proposed Transportation Projects Capital Improvements Planning Full Time Staff...44 Part Time Staff...45 Plain Twp. Fire and Rescue Department Budget, Equipment Needs...45 Plain Twp. Vehicles for Use by Stark County Sheriff s Office Stark County Sheriff s Office by Activity, Proposed Drainage Projects...47 Proposed Sewer Projects...48 City of Canton Treatment Plant Daily Capacity Levels Overall Plan Recommendations Sustainable Development Tools Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 3

4 List of Maps Map 1: Population Density Map 2: Population Percent Change Map 3: Existing Land Use Map 4: Existing Zoning Map 5: Rental Occupancy Map 6: Parks and Trails Map 7: 208 Clean Water Plan Map 8: Planning Policy Areas Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 4

5 Introduction In July of 2011, Plain Township contracted with the Stark County Regional Planning Commission to provide an update to the Township s Comprehensive Mini Master Plan, which was originally created in 2002 by Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum (PKG) Consultants, Inc. The purpose of this plan is to provide Township officials with a framework to assist in future decision making and programming regarding land use, transportation and capital improvements. This document is not a detailed action plan, suggesting step bystep instructions for specific projects, but is instead a guiding document that aims to set the course for how the Township wants to grow and develop. The following chapters describe existing conditions within the Township in terms of population and housing, land use and public services. Identified trends suggest a slight decline in population over the last ten years, as well as stalled economic growth. Current land use and zoning maps outline a high percentage of increasingly low density, single family residential development, which combined with the economic decline further confirms an on going suburban sprawl pattern within the Township. If left uncontrolled, this trend could mean a loss of all viable open space for the Township within the next five to ten years. In an effort to reduce suburban sprawl and enhance the vibrancy and sustainability of the Township, each chapter further suggests various methods and tools that can be used to achieve this goal. The foundation for a truly sustainable community consists of three different pillars, or categories: economic, environment, and social equity. Each of these categories is equally vital to the success of a long lasting, vibrant community, and this plan attempts to address each of these pillars in its provision of multiple options and suggestions for future growth and change. Plain Township is unique in the fact that even though it has changed dramatically over the last thirty years, transitioning from a rural community to a largely developed suburban township, it has managed to maintain a sense of small town appeal that is somewhat atypical for larger townships. As the Township continues to grow and transform, its distinctive identity must be maintained and enhanced wherever possible so that it does not become indistinguishable from the neighboring cities and townships. The goal of Plain Township is to create a high quality of life for its residents. By having a plan in place that promotes sound, sustainable principles, Plain Township is on the path to becoming a truly successful, vibrant and livable community. A comprehensive plan is not meant to be a static, unchanging document. As conditions and trends change over time, the Township should be ready to modify policies and procedures to help ensure that the needs of the entire community are being met. In order to do this, the comprehensive plan should be re evaluated and amended as necessary every five to ten years. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 5

6 Vision, Goals and Objectives The Plain Township Board of Trustees, in collaboration with Township staff, the Stark County Regional Planning Commission, and members of the general public developed an updated long range master plan for the Township, based on sustainable goals and objectives, to serve as a guide in decision making by Township officials. Vision Statement Plain Township is committed to providing a safe, convenient, affordable community offering excellent schools, services, business opportunities, recreation and infrastructure to create an exceptionally high quality of life. Land Use Planning Goals 1. Preserve and protect the natural resources of the Township including riparian corridors and wetlands. 2. Maintain a sound revenue base for the Township through an appropriate balance of land uses. 3. Maintain and expand an interconnected and integrated public park and recreation system. 4. Provide a variety of housing types, densities, and values. 5. Encourage development patterns that include dedication of quality open space and preserve green space. 6. Continue to meet NPDES requirements for storm water management. 7. Promote sustainable development practices such as infill and mixed use development in appropriate areas. 8. Adopt and amend zoning regulations in accordance with the comprehensive mini master plan. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 6

7 Capital Improvement Goals 1. Coordinate sanitary sewer projects with the Stark County Sewer District to continue phasing out package treatment plants and to address failing septic systems. 2. Establish and develop the Schneider Community Park and Glen Oak Community Campus as a physical focal point for Plain Township through streetscaping and possible gateway identification measures. 3. Continue to pursue funding options for storm water and infrastructure projects through OPWC and CDBG applications. 4. Continue with traffic control projects and road improvements as recommended in the Road Department Five Year Plan. 5. Transition the Diamond Sports Complex into a multi use facility. 6. Further develop Schneider Community Park by utilizing grants, donations and public funding. 7. Improve and expand pedestrian walkways and parking facilities through the Township Park System. Service Goals 1. Coordinate growth and development with appropriate expansion or consolidation of Township services in order to maintain quality service levels. This should include funding, personnel, equipment, and facilities. 2. Expand automatic aid agreements with other fire departments. 3. Continue to promote a strong community identity with Plain Township s Police Services. 4. Continue dialogue with adjacent political subdivisions and agencies to create partnerships to evaluate and implement regionalization of safety, maintenance and recreational services. 5. Explore creative funding mechanisms to provide revenue for the Plain Township Parks and Recreation Department. 6. Evaluate all employee classifications through a needs assessment. 7. Work to establish a regionalized dispatch center. 8. Decrease the Township s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating. 9. Further develop and grow the Friends of Plain Parks Organization. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 7

8 10. Partner with Plain Local Schools to offer educational, cultural and recreational activities to the community. 11. Develop a proactive marketing plan to promote and sell Plain Township. 12. Offer free family events through the Parks and Recreation Department. 13. Provide innovative solutions by using new cost effective technology for road maintenance and service. 14. Evaluate feasibility of modifying existing Property Maintenance Code. 15. Foster collaborative discussions with various community entities such as the local school district, businesses, and community organizations. 16. Study use of township owned properties and facilities as conditions evolve. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 8

9 Demand Capacity Analysis A demand capacity analysis attempts to balance and compare forecasts of change with the capability of a community to accommodate that change. For Plain Township, the change indicator is population. The following section discusses growth scenarios and the capacity of the Township to accommodate that growth. Population Growth As the chart and table below illustrate, Plain Township experienced a population boom during the 1950 s. Since that time, the population has fluctuated just slightly. From 1970 to 2000, the township experienced a steady population increase; however, according to the U.S. Census Bureau s 2010 population count, the population decreased slightly by 1.8% since This decrease is somewhat unusual for Plain Township, but not altogether surprising considering the ongoing economic recession of the region Population 8,096 14,821 32,931 31,945 34,084 34,318 35,543 34,900 Percent Change 83.1% 122.2% 3.0% 6.7% 0.7% 3.6% 1.8% Annual Rate of Growth 8.3% 12.2% 0.3% 0.7% 0.1% 0.4% 0.2% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 The 2010 U.S. Census Map below demonstrates the concentration of population per Census block. Pockets of high population densities largely correlate with areas of higher numbers of multi family units as well as older neighborhoods with smaller lot sizes. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 9

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11 The following Census map shows how the Township population has changed from 2000 to 2010, per Census block group. Census block groups are a compilation of Census blocks and therefore make up a larger, aggregated geographic area. Most of the Township experienced very minor changes, but a few areas, particularly to the northeast and southeast, had a population gain of greater than 6%. Much of the gain in the northeast can be attributed to new residential allotment development over the last 10 years, and gain in the southeast is most likely due to higher rental occupancy. A couple of noteworthy areas that experienced a higher degree of population decline include the neighborhood surrounding 44 th Street on the west side of Cleveland Avenue, and the neighborhood just south of US 62, between Harrisburg and Harmont. Much of the population loss in the 44 th Street neighborhood can be attributed to the ongoing economic recession of the region and the subsequent higher foreclosure rates. The reasoning behind the population loss in the area south of US 62 is largely based on the method used to display Census data results. This area already had a very low population count to begin with, so the loss of any households represents a much higher percentage of population loss than the more residentially developed neighborhoods. As the Township looks towards neighborhood stabilization measures, the promotion of land banking, community development, and housing rehabilitation programs provided by the County (further discussed in the Overall Plan Recommendations section) could be useful tools to assist in stabilizing population decline, and ultimately, boosting population (re)growth. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 11

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13 Population Projections The many variables at work in Plain Township make projecting future population challenging. Three different values are presented below for the purposes of this plan. Population Projections Housing Permit Projection 35,543 34,900 35,482 36,063 36,645 37,227 Ohio Dept. of Development Projection 35,543 34,900 34,780 34,642 34,416 34,308 Average Projection 35,543 34,900 35,131 35,352 35,530 35,767 Sources: Plain Township, U.S. Census 2010, Ohio Dept. of Development The first projection uses housing permit data to predict how many additional housing units will be built over the next eighteen years. Future population is calculated by multiplying the number of projected housing units by the number of persons per household (2.29 according to the 2010 Census). This projection assumes that development will continue at its current rate of approximately 254 new housing permits over a five year period (based on number of permits issued since 2006). As the chart above illustrates, this results in a straight line trend, which suggests a moderate building boom, but at a reduced rate than originally projected in the previous plan. This projection yields a population of 36,063 in 2020 and 37,227 in Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 13

14 The second projection is derived from the current percentage of Stark County s population that lives in Plain Township. In 2010, Plain Township held 9.3% of Stark County s population (slightly down from 9.4% in 2000). Assuming this share of the county population remains stable, a Township population projection can be derived from a county projection. The Ohio Department of Development s Office of Strategic Research provides county population projections based on current Census data. The most recent Stark County profile report predicts a 2020 population of 372,490, which results in a Plain Township population of 34,642. However, this projection does not account for the 2010 Census, which indicates that the County s population fell at a greater rate than anticipated in the 2000 projection. According to previous projections, Plain Township s population was expected to increase in 2010; however it actually decreased based on Census 2010 results. As a result, the projection provided by the Ohio Department of Development may actually be higher than the actual population. The third projection is an average of the two previous projections. This blends the two methods together, accounting for the historic slower growth rates and the modest building increase of the 2000s. While growth is not likely to increase as much as the housing data projection predicts, growth is expected to increase slightly over the next ten years. Plain Township s population is likely to fall close to the predicted figure of 35,352 in This would bring the Township nearer to the population level as it was in Based on the economic instability over the past few years, the Township can reasonably expect the near future to be a somewhat tumultuous period. Land Use Capacity The following table illustrates the current land use breakdown in Plain Township. The data was derived using codes assigned by the County Auditor to every parcel within the County. Acres by Land Use Land Use Acres Percentage of Total Single family Residential 5, Single family/agricultural 2, Two family Residential Multi family Residential Public Service 1, Business Office Industrial Recreational Open Land 1, Total 12, Source: Stark County Auditor, 2012 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 14

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16 The following table illustrates the current breakdown of acreage by each zoning district in Plain Township. Acres by Zoning District* Zoning District Total Acres Percentage of Total R R Rural Residential 2, R 1 Single Family Residential 6, R 1A Single Family Residential R 2 One and Two Family Residential 1, R 3 Low Density Multi Family Residential R 4 High Density Multi Family Residential R 5 Residential Condominium (PUD) R 6 Planned Unit Development (PUD) S 1 Suburban Office B 1 Neighborhood Business B 2 General Business I 1 Light Industrial I 2 General Industrial TOTAL 12, Source: Stark County Regional Planning Commission, Plain Township (*total is slightly different from land use table due to different mapping methods) The table below analyzes the land available for development by zoning district within Plain Township. This data is derived from land use mapping, tax assessments and field surveys to determine different land uses. Land Available for Development by Zoning District Zoning District Total Acres Adjusted Acres Min. Lot Size (sq. ft.) Lot Capacity Population R R Rural Residential , ,146 R 1 Single Family Residential , ,302 R 1A Single Family Residential , R 2 One and Two Family Residential , R 3 Low Density Multi Family Residential , R 4 High Density Multi Family Residential \ \ \ \ R 5 Residential Condominium (PUD) \ \ \ \ R 6 Planned Unit Development (PUD) \ \ \ \ S 1 Suburban Office 9.79 \ \ \ B 1 Neighborhood Business , B 2 General Business , I 1 Light Industrial , I 2 General Industrial , TOTAL 1, , ,774 Source: Plain Township Zoning, Stark County Auditor, 2012 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 16

17 The Adjusted Acres subtracts 17% from the total amount of land in each zoning district to account for environmental constraints, land consumed by public right of ways and other site planning problems. Minimum lot size is taken from the current Plain Township Zoning Resolution. Certain zoning districts provide for different minimum lot sizes depending on what kind of construction is proposed and when the lot went on record (lot sizes were changed in 2005). To account for a possible blending of building types in these zoning districts, this analysis averages the different lot sizes together where more than one minimum lot size is provided for in a district. Lot Capacity refers to any building, which could be constructed in each respective zoning district. In the I 1 district, Lot Capacity refers to industrial buildings. In the R 1 district, it refers to the number of houses that could be constructed. When all the potential development area under current zoning within the Township is accounted for, an additional 6,774 people could be accommodated at maximum build out. This is using the 2010 Census data of 2.29 people per household. The previous plan showed that there were over 3,800 acres available for development and that the Township could accommodate an additional 26,653 people at maximum build out. In the last 10 years the Township has lost over 2,400 acres to development, yet has also had a decrease in population of approximately 650 people. What this means is that the Township has experienced suburban sprawl at a very rapid pace, and if not controlled, the Township could lose all remaining developable land in the next 5 10 years. The remaining developable land does still provide options for Plain Township in terms of how it wants to grow and develop. Every acre of open land does not have to be given over for development in order to accommodate increased population. It is worth noting that the majority of land available for development in the Township is zoned for relatively low density residential uses. Because of current zoning and subdivision regulations, leaving this zoning in place almost guarantees a standard development pattern, which may or may not be sensitive to environmental constraints, rural character, service provision, and other needs of the Township. Several options exist for a more sustainable form of growth and development, including low impact development, higher density provisions, smaller lot sizes, and incentives for developing in areas already served with pubic water and sewer (see final chapter s Sustainable Development Practices). Minor changes to the Township s Zoning Resolution can greatly help to improve the attractiveness of already developed areas for any new development, while simultaneously facilitating the preservation of vital open space. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 17

18 Zoning and Development Achieving the character, housing, and environmental protection goals of this plan will be a challenge. Much of the land in Plain Township has already developed with a variety of suburban growth from Canton and North Canton. In many places, Plain Township is indistinguishable from these cities as development on one side of the city limits is identical to development on the other side. This common, conventional suburban development pattern has started to erode the Township s separate identity from the two cities. With a population of nearly 35,000, Plain Township has left its rural past behind. Unfortunately, most of its rural character and open space are gone as well. Plain Township must enact development policies and more proactive zoning controls to ensure the remaining land in the Township is developed in a way which is sensitive to environmental constraints and the need to maintain a balanced tax base. Height, setback, and bulk controls need to be tailored to help ensure the character of existing neighborhoods is preserved in the face of new development. Innovative measures need to be taken to create more housing opportunities for all of Plain Township s population, especially its expanding elderly populations. The most important tool Plain Township can use to guide development is the existing zoning resolution. While much of the detailed site plan review takes place at the county level, final authority over what land uses take place where rests with the Township in terms of zoning approvals. Using this authority effectively as well as coordinating closely with the Stark County Regional Planning Commission and other local regulatory agencies will be vital to preserving important environmental assets and remaining rural characteristics of the Township. Commercial Development Approximately 80% of the developed land in Plain Township is being used for residential purposes. That leaves approximately 20% of the developed land with commercial, industrial, and other uses. The typical breakdown most communities strive for is 70% residential uses and 30% for all other uses. This breakdown contributes to a more balanced fiscal picture in that the property tax revenue generated from commercial and industrial uses offsets the costs for serving residential development. Usually, the tax revenue generated from a residential property does not equal the cost of serving that property with infrastructure and services. According to the American Farmland Trust, for every $1 earned in revenue, it costs an average of $1.16 to provide public services to residential properties, whereas it only costs $0.29 for every $1 earned in revenue to provide public services to commercial and industrial properties. In other words, for every $1,000 earned in revenue from a residential property, it costs the Township an average of $1,160 to provide services to it (for agricultural properties, it only costs $0.35 for every $1 earned in revenue). Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 18

19 This situation is not at all unique to Plain Township. Generally, residential development can t pay for itself if it is taxed at a rate acceptable to residents. This is why it is important for communities to maintain a proper commercial/residential land use ratio. Commercial development requires fewer community services than residential uses which puts less of a strain on a community s service capacity. At the same time, commercial development generates far more tax revenue than residential development. This revenue offsets the costs of providing services to residential development. One of the goals of this plan is to Maintain a sound revenue base for Plain Township through an appropriate balance of land uses. In order to accomplish this, the Township needs to take a strong role in encouraging redevelopment of existing commercial and residential areas, and planning for new development in areas with the appropriate infrastructure already in place. Any new development should also be encouraged to adopt conservation design guidelines to help preserve open space and reduce the demand on public services. Existing Commercial Areas Redevelopment of existing areas should be emphasized before creating new ones. Infrastructure is already in place for commercial uses in developed areas, and land use patterns have adjusted to a commercial presence. Encouraging redevelopment of existing commercial developments would be an efficient use of the Township s land and public infrastructure resources. Four commercial areas with potential for additional commercial development or redevelopment have been identified through this planning process. They are: Whipple Avenue/Everhard Road intersection Whipple Avenue north of Avondale US 62 from Market to Harmont Oakwood Square Plaza area Each of these areas contains a mixture of uses and will present different challenges for commercial development. Whipple Avenue is already a commercial district, although some areas along this road have fallen into disrepair. On the west side of the road in Jackson Township, commercial development appears to be faring slightly better, but with new development extending towards Portage Street, competing with that area will be a primary objective for Whipple Avenue redevelopment. The US 62 corridor from Market to Harmont consists of a predominantly commercial land use pattern. This area is also part of a safety and congestion study by ODOT, which if combined with beautification efforts, could considerably enhance the appeal of this corridor for commercial redevelopment. There are a couple of existing economic development agreements between the Township and the City of Canton for a few locations along US 62, which the Township should continue to utilize and promote in any new annexation Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 19

20 efforts by the City. The Township may also want to consider collaborating with local officials to pursue land banking options along this corridor as a way to help guide new development in a controlled, more sustainable manner. The Easton Street/Middlebranch intersection currently consists of the Township s government center, a few commercial uses and the Oakwood Square Plaza. Redeveloping the Oakwood Square Plaza would not only correct a major problem area for the Township, but also provide one option for a possible central focal point for the community. The Township should develop a relationship with the owner(s) of the plaza to investigate possible redevelopment options for the plaza, including mixed use development, a community center, senior housing, medical or educational facilities, or other innovative concepts. The plaza is situated in a Community Reinvestment Area, so township assistance may also be available. Oakwood Square Plaza The Transportation Policies section of this report discusses the idea of Corridor Planning. Whipple Avenue, including the Everhard Road intersection, has the potential for this type of focused project plan. Encouraging commercial redevelopment (with possible mixed use concepts as described below) along Whipple Avenue creates a potential for establishing a vibrant mixed use corridor in this area. Writing a corridor plan for Whipple Avenue would be an excellent method to bring together the various tools of land use planning, zoning and development regulations, transportation planning, and economic development activities. Retention of the existing commercial base is a vital necessity for the Township s continued success. Local businesses provide a strong and stable economic foundation and have proven to provide both direct and indirect support for the community through their on going reinvestment and sense of loyalty to the area. As the Township looks to the future, they should consciously seek to grow and maintain a stronger relationship with these local businesses to help ensure their retention. The Township will need to carefully balance the goals of attracting commercial development and community character and design standards. The goal of attracting development does not necessarily mean that the Township should accept any and all proposed projects. The plan s goal statements of building a stronger identity for Plain Township and creating a better quality of life can in part be implemented by encouraging higher quality and more sustainable development. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 20

21 New Commercial Development Opportunities for new large scale development are limited in Plain Township. A shopping area in a far flung corner of the Township could benefit from being relatively immune from any annexation attempts by Canton or North Canton, but with the economic uncertainty and the existing land use and infrastructure pattern already in place, redevelopment of existing commercial centers is a more viable and sustainable option. However, that is not to say that any commercial development would be impossible in outlying areas. The current Plain Township R 6 PUD District standards specify that a maximum of 5% of a development can be used for accessory business uses. These could be neighborhood scale retail and other low intensity commercial uses. This specification only applies to PUD development proposals that contain fifty acres or more. While the potential for PUD commercial development is not large, given these specifications it should not be discounted as a way to create additional commercial development within Plain Township and help to maintain a good commercial/residential tax base mixture. To further encourage commercial development, the Township may want to consider reducing the minimum acreage amount required for PUD commercial development opportunities. Better collaboration and partnerships with local Chambers of Commerce and regional economic organizations such as Team NEO and Cleveland Plus may also help to improve and expand the Township s commercial base. In addition to assisting with attracting new businesses, these organizations also facilitate the retention, attraction and engagement of young professionals. According to the Next Leader s Survey (conducted through the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2010), over 13% of the County s young professionals plan to leave the region within the next two years. At an average of $57,000 economic impact per person, this equates to a loss of $177 million to the area in the next two years. This study found that these young professionals are specifically looking for communities that emphasize quality of life amenities, specifically the arts, parks and trails, and the after work scene, in addition to features such as education, earnings and cost of living. Mixed Use District Example The Township may want to consider modifying their zoning resolution to combine some of the higher density residential zoning districts with the S 1 Suburban Office District to create a mixed use district that could be applied, possibly as an overlay, in areas conducive to a mixture of compatible land uses. Common land uses permitted in this type of district include small scale retail, office and residential. Mixed use development affords people the opportunity to live, work and play in a single area, which consequently reduces the need for an automobile. Mixed use development not only promotes walkability, but it also provides expanded housing options, especially for young professionals, and it reduces infrastructure costs. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 21

22 Gateways and Identity Character and identity of a rural area are difficult to preserve in the face of increasing real estate development. As Canton and North Canton have expanded over the years, the difference between town and country has eroded. There is no apparent sense of leaving the areas in the city and entering the township as it historically used to be. Plain Township should differentiate itself from the sprawling growth of the cities. Part of what can strengthen Plain Township s identity is encouraging quality development and preservation of open space. Both of these take place through regulatory strategies. By making the conscious effort to require specific site development standards which will consider the aesthetic values of the community, Plain Township can differentiate itself. Beyond regulations, the Township should consider capital investment in projects which can build a stronger sense of Plain Township as a separate place from Canton and North Canton. Whipple and Cleveland Avenues are areas that could be developed as a commercial district and focal point for the Plain Township community. Establishing distinct gateways along these corridors would be an important part of establishing this district. In addition to these corridors, gateway projects should be considered for other important roadways in Plain Township. Large road projects are programmed by the Stark County Area Transportation Study (SCATS). Township identity and gateway projects could be incorporated into these road improvements. Gateway statements could be incorporated on smaller Township funded road improvements as well. Elements of what these gateway projects entail can vary. A straightforward approach which the Township already exhibits in a few locations is the construction of attractive signs indicating the limits of the Township. An attractive design could be a groundmounted or freestanding sign incorporated with a low wall and landscaping. Care should be taken that any signage is low impact and identifies the Township limits in an unobtrusive way. Streetscaping elements such as sidewalks, decorative street lighting, street trees, and planters are a relatively inexpensive way to also help improve the identity and aesthetics of a community. Streetscaping Elements: Street trees Bicycle racks Painted trash cans Benches Attractive street lighting Planters Sidewalks Beyond public investment in gateway improvements, Plain Township could examine the use of a gateway overlay zone which would impose additional site design and landscape standards on private property owners. Regulations and standards would be targeted on enhancing the gateway presence created by public projects. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 22

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24 Residential Development Of the residentially developed land within the Township, over 50% of it is currently low density, singlefamily residential. To achieve social equity, communities need to have a blend of housing options for all ages, incomes and disabilities. Instead of developing traditional pods of multi family dwellings in defined neighborhoods, the Township could promote a more balanced development pattern where a mixture of single, two and multi family housing units are permitted within a single neighborhood. This blend of housing would create a neighborhood that is not only socially balanced, but that would also allow residents to more easily transition between homes as their stages in life change. As the average age of the community continues to increase, housing options for elderly adults also need to be incorporated into any future planning efforts. As plans for the Oakwood Square Plaza develop, the Township may want to consider senior housing development within a mixed use environment at that site. Current economic conditions demonstrate that new housing development has largely come to a standstill in the last few years. This halt in new construction provides the Township with a unique opportunity to improve existing residential areas, especially through infill development. Infill development essentially means filling in the gaps in existing neighborhoods either through new construction on vacant lots, improvement of dilapidated homes, or demolition and reuse of blighted properties. Improving existing neighborhoods is the more sustainable approach as these neighborhoods generally have the necessary infrastructure already in place, whereas new allotments typically require the extension of services into these outlying areas, which has proven quite costly for communities. Infill development also decreases the vacancy rate in neighborhoods, which greatly helps to reduce the perception of neglect and danger in these areas. The County also runs various housing rehabilitation grant and loan programs for qualified, low tomoderate income homeowners, which should be promoted by the Township as a way to help stabilize neighborhoods. The following Census map provides a general overview of where the majority of rental housing is currently located in the Township. Current economic conditions suggest a continuing trend towards more people renting versus buying a home. As this trend continues, the Township should work towards ensuring that affordable, yet high quality housing options are available in the community for both renters and homebuyers. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 24

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26 Parks and Open Space Summary of Current Park Facilities With the recent celebration of the Schneider Park grand opening, the Township s total parkland now amounts to 102 acres. When looking at the previously recommended community park standard of 16 to 18 acres per 1,000 people, Plain Township would need between 558 to 628 acres of park and recreation facilities to meet the needs of its 34,900 residents. Based on this standard, it would seem that there is an obvious need for additional parkland; however, this is before taking into account the various park and recreation facilities offered at the local schools, nearby parks in the Cities of Canton and North Canton, as well as the trails and greenways of the Stark County Park District. The Plain Local Schools recreational facilities include numerous sports fields, tracks, courts and playgrounds that equate to approximately 78 acres of recreational area (see table below). Taking into account parks in Canton and North Canton located within close proximity to Plain Township, there are 671 additional acres of park area available for use by Plain Township s residents. The Stark County Park District also owns several parks in the County, and even though none are physically located within the Township limits, residents still have easy access to many of them. The Park District also has several trails that run through the Township, and there are plans to develop or extend many of those in the area. Park and Recreation Facilities Available to Plain Twp. Residents Number of Parks and Recreation Facilities Size in Acres Plain Township Plain Local Schools 9 78 Canton North Canton Total All totaled there are approximately 851 acres of park and recreation facilities locally and in adjacent communities available for use by Plain Township s residents. This does not include the Stark County Park District s plans to develop several existing and proposed trails and connections throughout the area (discussed in greater detail below). So, while there are limited park and recreation facilities offered by Plain Township, there are plenty of opportunities for Township residents to enjoy and use facilities in the immediate area. As the Township develops, it may want to encourage the preservation of open space through the use of conservation districts, infill development, and other growth control measures. Also, when considering future park and recreation facilities, the Township may want to study alternative park uses to accommodate an aging population and/or disabled persons. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 26

27 Existing Parks Inventory Plain Township Parks and Recreation Department In 2006 the Township purchased property on Schneider Street, which is being developed into the third Plain Township Park. The Township used an estate tax, as opposed to a new tax levy, to develop Phase One of the park. The development of the remaining two phases of the park will be dependent on receipt of grants and/or donations, as the estate tax will end in Once complete, the park is anticipated to include a 1.25 acre small dog park (fewer than 30 pounds), 1.70 acre large dog park (greater than 30 pounds), ADA playground, picnic shelter, amphitheater, Frisbee disc golf course, second parking lot, flush restroom facility, and a tie in to the Stark County Park District s county wide trail system. Schneider Park s Dog Park With the development of the third Township owned park underway, the Township now plans to focus more on enhancing and expanding recreational programming for its citizens. Special attention should be given in providing programs for all ages, abilities and income level in an effort to ensure that the needs of the entire community are being met. The Township also plans to continue maintenance of current facilities, in addition to developing some passive recreational uses and pursuing funding to develop existing parkland and recreational programs. The Township would like to work with other Parks and Recreation Departments for further enhancement of the park facilities. One such possibility is working with the Stark County Park District to create a linear park system. Plain Township Parks and Recreation Park Name Acreage Classification Features Alpine Park 19 Communitywide Track, Game courts, 3195 Alpine St. NE Picnicking, Nature study Diamond Park 41 Communitywide 2524 Diamond St. NE Indoor and outdoor game courts, Athletic fields Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 27

28 Schneider Park 42 Communitywide 1714 Schneider St. NE TOTAL 102 Source: Plain Township Parks and Recreation, 2012 Playground, Hiking, Picnicking, Dog park Plain Local Schools There are nine elementary, middle and high schools offering recreational facilities to Plain Township residents during non school hours. It is estimated that the schools have approximately 78 acres of recreation facilities. The types of facilities, their space requirements and service radius are listed in the following table. Plain Local Schools Recreational Facilities Football Baseball Softball Soccer Tennis Basketball Volleyball Play School Field Field Field Field Court Track Court ground Avondale Elementary 3933 Eaton Rd NW Barr Elementary th St NE 8 1 Frazer Elementary 3900 Frazer Ave NW Middlebranch Elementary 7500 Middlebranch Ave NE Warstler Elementary 2500 Schneider Rd NE 2 1 Taft Elementary 3829 Guilford Ave NW Glenwood Intermediate School th St NW Oakwood Middle School 2300 Schneider St NE GlenOak High School 1801 Schneider St NE Total # of Facilities Total Acres by Facility Total Acres 78.3 Source: Plain Local Schools, 2011 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 28

29 Facility Standards for Recreational Facilities Space Requirement Service Radius Football Field Minimum 1.5 acres minutes travel time Baseball Field Official acres 1/4 1/2 mile Little League 1.2 acres Softball Field acres 1/4 1/2 mile Soccer Field acres 1 2 miles Tennis Court Minimum 7,200 sq. ft. single court area 1/4 1/2 mile Basketball Court 2,400 3,036 sq. ft. 1/4 1/2 mile Track 4.3 acres minutes travel time Volleyball Court Minimum 4,000 sq. ft. 1/4 1/2 mile Playground 2,500 sq. ft. 1 acre Less than 1/4 mile Source: Recreation, Park and Open Space Standards and Guidelines, a publication of the National Recreation and Park Association, Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 29

30 Canton Parks The City of Canton has 17 parks totaling 479 acres that are in close proximity to Plain Township and can be used by its residents. Canton Parks Accessible to Plain Twp. Residents Park Name Acreage Classification Features Arboretum Park 36 Communitywide Shelters, athletic field, play apparatus th St. NW Bors Field 8 Communitywide Athletic fields 2665 Harrisburg Rd. NE Don Correll Park 3 Neighborhood Open space 2200 Roberts Ave. NW Covered Bridge Park 60 Communitywide Shelter, athletic fields 4500 Guilford Ave. NW Harmont Park 24 Communitywide 2701 Harmont Ave. NE Shelter, athletic fields, play apparatus, game courts, walking track Harvard Park 3 Neighborhood Shelter, play apparatus, game courts Harvard Blvd. NW Herbruck Park 8 Neighborhood Play apparatus, game courts Royal Ave. NE Ink Park 60 Communitywide Walking trail Park Dr. NW Maple Park 27 Communitywide Shelters, athletic fields, play apparatus Maple Ave. NE Maple Playground 1 Neighborhood Playground 2225 Maple Ave. NE Martindale Park 19 Communitywide Shelters, athletic field, play apparatus 4001 Martindale Rd. NE Northview Park 1.5 Neighborhood Open space th St. NW Reifsnyder Park 66 Communitywide Open space 1855 Spangler Rd. NE Spiker Park 27 Communitywide Pond and bridge 3300 Westmoreland Blvd. NW Stadium Park 91 Communitywide Stadium Park Dr. NW Shelters, athletic fields, play apparatus, game courts, walking track Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 30

31 Weis Park 24 Communitywide Shelter, athletic fields, game courts 2600 Harvard Ave. NW Willig Field 20 Communitywide Athletic fields th St. NE TOTAL Source: Canton Parks, 2011 North Canton Parks The City of North Canton has 11 parks totaling 192 acres that are in close proximity to Plain Township and can be used by its residents. North Canton Parks Accessible to Plain Twp. Residents Park Name Acreage Classification Features Bitzer Park 1 Neighborhood Benches, Community events 100 East Maple Street Charlie Strausser Memorial Park 5 Neighborhood Playground, Game Courts 225 Abbeyshire Street SE Dogwood Park 12 Communitywide 241 7th Street NE Eastwoods Park 3 Neighborhood 1290 Westview Circle SE Hoover Community Recreation Complex 82 Communitywide 1325 East Maple Street Hoover Park (Walsh University) 60 Communitywide 2225 East Maple Street Price Park 17 Communitywide 1000 West Maple Street Schneider Valley Park 2 Neighborhood 1346 Clearmount Ave. SE Woodlands, Shelters, Play apparatus, Athletic fields, Game courts, Pool, Skate park Shelters, Playground, Game courts Playground, Nature walk, Bike trail, Athletic fields Track, Athletic fields, Nature trail Woodlands, Shelters, Play apparatus, Athletic fields, Game courts, Fishing Playground, Stream, Woodlands, Athletic fields, Game courts Upper Glenwood Park 1 Neighborhood Play apparatus, Game courts 227 Glenwood Street SE West Park 2 Neighborhood Play apparatus, Game courts 300 West Park Drive Witwer Park 7 Communitywide Shelter, Playground, Athletic 301 Harmon Street SW fields, Game courts TOTAL 192 Source: North Canton Parks, 2011 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 31

32 Stark County Park District The Stark County Trail and Greenway Master Plan identifies several proposed trails and greenways that traverse through Plain Township. According to the Stark County Park District (SCPD), the purpose of the plan is to ensure that trails and greenway systems provide connections or access to parks, open space, historic and cultural sites, and other facilities to preserve the resources they pass through, and to expand the recreational and the educational resources available throughout Stark County. The following table highlights existing and proposed trails that are located either within or near the Township limits. The SCPD expects that the majority of proposed trails and greenways listed below will be completed in the next five to ten years. Proposed Stark County Trails and Greenways Located within Plain Township Trail/Greenway Description Location Mt. Pleasant/ Dogwood Park Trail West Branch Trail Hoover Connector Trail Covered Bridge Trail Upper Middle Branch Trail Canton Downtown Connector Existing roadway/drainage basin to be improved with bike lanes along Mt. Pleasant from Jackson Township, under I 77, terminating at Dogwood Park. Existing north south trail along the West Branch of the Nimishillen Creek, parallel to I 77 in need of improvements. Proposed trail that would link Dogwood Park and Hoover High School in North Canton to the Upper Middle Branch Trail and the Glen Oak High School in Plain Township. Proposed east west connector through the northern suburbs of Canton, connecting the West Branch Trail at Covered Bridge Park to the Middlebranch Trail at Martindale Park. Existing north south connector within the center of the County needing improvements. It connects the historic core of Hartville to downtown Canton at Riverside Park, parallels the Middle Branch of the Nimishillen Creek. Proposed loop through the downtown business district, connecting this area to the West Branch Trail on the west and the Upper Middle Branch Trail on the east. Plain Twp. North Canton North Canton Plain Twp. Canton North Canton Plain Twp. Canton North Canton Canton Plain Twp. Lake Twp. Canton Canton Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 32

33 Stark Electric Railroad Trail Proposed trail along historic electric rail connection that would provide an important link between the eastern portion of the county and downtown Canton. Source: Stark County Trail and Greenway Master Plan, 2011 Plain Twp. Nimishillen Twp. Washington Twp. Louisville Canton Alliance Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 33

34 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 34

35 Additional Open Space Needs Future Park and Open Space Mapping As stated in the Land Use Planning section, much of Plain Township has developed with suburban uses expanding from the cities of Canton and North Canton. As growth continues to expand from Canton and North Canton, the rural areas of the Township are developing with other uses. Planning ahead to preserve open spaces, create new recreation and green spaces, and provide linkages between them will help ensure that rural characteristics of the Township will not disappear entirely. Developing parks and open space in the right areas of the Township can also help with natural resource and stream corridor protection, floodplain management, cultural resource protection, and aquifer recharge area protection. Approximately 2,400 acres of undeveloped land remain. Some of this land is actively farmed, some is vacant, and other parcels contain woods, wetlands, and other natural features. All of it is important to maintaining and enhancing the character and attractiveness of Plain Township. Much of this remaining undeveloped land is also located in areas key to protecting the local environment and the health, safety, and welfare of current and future Township residents. Providing additional recreation space is necessary both to accommodate the needs of a growing and diverse population, and to strengthen the Township s character and identity. Recommendations While there are many different active and traditional parks and recreation opportunities in the area, Plain Township has an opportunity to provide something more to its residents. Niche recreation amenities like the dog park or disc golf will continue to help set Plain Township parks apart from those already provided by Canton or North Canton. Likewise, preserving areas for passive recreation, or unused open space will help build the identity and character of the Township, and provide a higher quality of life for residents. The previous Township Mini Master Plan recommended concentrating active recreation amenities (soccer fields, ball parks, large playgrounds) into existing active centers, while spreading passive recreation areas and open space more evenly throughout the Township. Plain Township has taken a significant stride towards achieving this goal with the improvement of Diamond Community Park and the planned development of the new Schneider Community Park. Continuing this trend for future park and open space planning will have many benefits to Plain Township, including engaging a larger percentage of the Township s population, and will emphasize the natural resource and community character goals of the land use strategies of this plan. Some open spaces that are extremely sensitive to development should be preserved entirely free of any construction. Wetlands and riparian areas along the Nimishillen Creek are some examples of this type of Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 35

36 resource. Other open areas are not so sensitive and could be developed as non active Township parks with walking trails, bike paths, open un programmed play areas, dog parks, or nature centers. These kinds of parks would provide residents of Plain Township a recreation experience not readily available in the active playgrounds in the area. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 36

37 Transportation Planning Plain Township maintains 173 miles of roadway. Ten to thirteen miles of road are paved or micro surfaced each year, which allows the Township to pave roads on a ten to fourteen year rotation. The Township Road Department is led by a Highway Superintendent and a Supervising Foreman who oversee twelve laborers/operators. The central maintenance foreman supervises the two mechanics and there is a project inspector. The Township s annual budget includes contracts for striping, curbing, asphalt, sweeping, stormwater/sewer projects, salaries and equipment. The road department is also funded by a levy of 1.5 mills, which was approved most recently in March, The following table demonstrates Plain Township s average cost per Township road mile (based on 173 miles of Township roadway). The average yearly cost has increased since 2001 by approximately $6,000 $9,000, primarily due to the rising cost of materials. Cost per Township Road Mile Annual Roads Budget Cost per Township Road Mile 2009 $2,823,595 $16, $3,409,011 $19, $2,857,245 $16,516 *2012 $3,215,981 $18,589 Source: Plain Township Budget Worksheet, (*budgeted) The Stark County Engineer s office suggested that Plain Township would be better served by a joint agreement with the County for intersection and paving projects, many of which the Township cannot afford alone. With a joint agreement, road projects in the Township would get additional points in the scoring for Issue 2 funds (approximately $6 million/year). The County is responsible for maintaining miles of county roads in Plain Township. The following table summarizes transportation projects currently planned in Plain Township. Most of the projects in the table are not the prime financial responsibility of the Township, as they are either County or State roads. With the exception of the 20 th Street intersection improvement project, all of the listed projects are eligible for federal funding. This type of funding typically requires a 20 percent local match, which can be covered by state and county funding sources, in addition to township funds. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 37

38 Proposed Transportation Projects Street From To Description 55th St. NE Birmingham Harmont Intersection Improvement & Bridge Replacement Covered Bridge Trail Martindale Park Middlebranch Trail Trail along Trunk Sewer Werner Church Rd Applegrove Middlebranch Bridge Replacement & Realignment 20th Street NW At Lakeside Intersection Safety Improvement 30th St NE* At Harrisburg Intersection Improvement US 62* Market Columbus Major Reconstruction/Access Control Pittsburg Applegrove Shuffel Widen to 4 lanes Market 55th Mt. Pleasant Widen to 4 lanes Market At Easton Intersection Safety Improvement Market At Schneider Intersection Safety Improvement Everhard At Whipple Intersection Safety Improvement Sources: SCATS 2030 Transportation Plan, OPWC, Stark Co. Engineer s Office, Plain Township *On list of County s 25 worst intersections based on the number of accidents. The County is pursuing grants for safety upgrades at these intersections. Transportation Analysis Field surveys and transportation studies of Plain Township s roadway system show that there are no severe operational deficiencies in Plain Township. There are select locations with problems, as discussed below, but overall the Township roadway system functions adequately. The original rural nature of the Township is slowly becoming more urbanized and as this continues to occur, steps will have to be taken to provide adequate, safe roadways for residents. Many of the problem areas border other jurisdictions, so joint projects may be required to make improvements. Middlebranch/Easton Intersection There are left turn lanes on all 4 approaches, but they are very short and need to be lengthened to provide adequate storage. On the eastern leg of Easton, a left turn lane for the commercial/retail parcels may be warranted. There also appears to be too many access points onto Easton in this area. Rite Aid, Township Hall, McDonald s, Oakwood Square shopping center and Pizza Hut all have separate driveways onto Easton. This provides for confusion and sight distance problems. There is a lot of empty space in the plaza currently, but improved access may help attract retailers and shoppers. Middlebranch/Easton Intersection (heading south) Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 38

39 US 62 From Regent to Harmont there is already good access management in place, with Maret and Lesh fronting the shopping plaza and Kmart. Although not part of Plain Township, a similar situation occurs on the south side of 62 with Atlantic Boulevard serving as a frontage road for Burger King, the bowling alley, etc. Extending these frontage roads west to Middlebranch may be a feasible option, although the alignment may have to run behind some buildings. The intersection of Columbus Road and US 62 is awkward and sometimes difficult to negotiate. If Maret were extended, Columbus Road could terminate at Maret, and then a safer intersection provided at or near Middlebranch. West of Middlebranch, US 62 functions as a four lane arterial, with multiple intersections and driveways. Since this area is a mix of residential and commercial, there doesn t appear to be any easy way to implement access management. ODOT is currently working on a safety and congestion corridor study for U.S. 62 from Market Street to SR 44. At the time of this plan, the feasibility of different alternatives was still being analyzed. Cleveland Avenue The largely commercial area from 38 th to 47 th Street has multiple access points, with two drives for one parcel at many locations (service stations, Fisher s grocery store, etc.). Since there are currently left turn lanes at many of the intersections, there would probably not be much widening required to provide a two way left turn lane throughout this section. Access to/from many of these businesses is not a problem because many of the drives are wide enough to separate left and right turns and the multiple signalized intersections often provide adequate gaps in traffic to exit safely. Cleveland Avenue (heading south) Everhard Road Access management on the north side seems to function adequately, with the plaza, Fazoli s restaurant and former Burger King parking lots all connected. The only parcel on the north side that doesn t connect to the others is the gas station at the northeast corner of Everhard and Whipple. On the south side, the gas station, La Z Boy, Denny s and McDonald s all have separate driveways. A center concrete median near the intersection with Whipple prevents left turns to or from both gas stations. One access problem in this area is exiting the various lots. Turning left is often difficult or impossible due to the volume of traffic on Everhard and the backups from the signal at Whipple. A new signal at Stratmoor has eased this issue some. There is not adequate storage for the left turn lanes at the intersection of Everhard and Whipple, in any direction, and the exit ramp is too short off of I 77 onto Whipple for traffic to safely Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 39

40 merge at this intersection. This intersection is currently in the County s 2030 Plan to be improved through widening efforts, which should help alleviate many of the problems in this area. Everhard/Whipple Intersection (looking west) Whipple Avenue The entire stretch from 38 th to Everhard is hard to access if a left turn to or from Whipple Avenue is required. Consideration should be given to providing a two way left turn lane or right in/rightout only restrictions throughout this section. Since Whipple is the dividing line between Plain Township and Jackson Township (or Perry Township further south), this would have to be a Stark County or joint plan between the County and Townships. There are not an excessive number of driveways on the east side of Whipple Avenue, and many of the buildings are spaced too far apart to consider combined access points. Fulton Road In the commercial area east of Broad it should be possible to combine many of the driveways and eliminate some access points onto Fulton. Currently, with so many closely spaced driveways it is often difficult to determine which driveway you need for where you are going. It is fairly easy to turn into the wrong drive, only to find there is no access to the correct parking lot. Drivers are forced to go back onto the roadway for a short distance to then turn into the proper driveway. Opening up some of the parking lots to provide access between buildings would prevent this and increase both safety and operations. Intersections along Market Avenue At Schneider Road there are no left turn lanes in the eastwest direction. One through lane exists in each direction, with left turn lanes provided on Market in both the north and south directions. At Easton Road there are left turn lanes on all four approaches, with protected phases for northbound and westbound traffic. The County s 2030 Plan identifies this intersection as Phase 1 of the planned Market Street improvement. Finally, at Diamond there are no exclusive turn lanes and no protected phases. To the west, Ivy Street is very narrow. Throughout the section from 55 th Street to Mt. Pleasant there is one through lane in each direction on Market. This is on the County s 2030 plan to be widened to 4 lanes, and should ease most of the problems in the area. Market Avenue (heading north) Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 40

41 General Sight Distance Problems As indicated by the Township, there are many roads with sight distance problems. These include Easton, Middlebranch, 55 th Street, Columbus Road and Schneider Road, and also the intersection of Plain Center and Martindale. Most of the problems are related to road profiles. Drivers at side streets or driveways do not have adequate sight distance along the main road to exit safely. Since most of these problem roadways follow alignments from the past when the Township was primarily rural, it would be very expensive to correct the problems in a substantial manner. Signage about upcoming intersections or hidden drives may help in certain trouble spots. The Township may want to consider initiating a speed study where warranted in some areas, since there are 45 mph speed zones in some locations. There are some problems caused by vegetation, which could be solved by trimming trees and shrubs or a setback requirement of height limit for vegetation near intersections and driveways. High Accident Intersections There are a few intersections in Plain Township that are among the most dangerous in Stark County. These are: US 62/Harmont, 30 th /Harrisburg, US 62/Middlebranch, Everhard/Whipple, 30 th /Market, and US 62/Regent. Several of these intersections are currently part of a safety study to determine ways to mitigate these problem areas. Transportation Recommendations There is an interlocking relationship between land use and the system of roadways serving the activities on the land. There is also an important partnership between the public sector, responsible for maintaining and improving the roadways, and the private sector s development of the land. Plain Township should recognize this implicit partnership and take steps to implement programs, which will help achieve the quality of life goals of this Master Plan. The increase in trip volumes will impact the ability of key road corridors to effectively carry traffic. In order to ensure acceptable traffic conditions, existing transportation policies should be reviewed and revised as necessary. Also, these roads should be monitored and measures should be taken at appropriate times to maintain acceptable future traffic flow throughout the Township. In order to meet the demands of future traffic, Plain Township must take steps to improve the transportation system. Some steps will be physical improvements such as road widening, new or improved traffic signals, intersection improvements or new street construction. The Township can also adopt policies to maximize the efficiency of the existing street system and protect public investment in future road improvements. Land use and transportation planning are inextricably intertwined. Land use determines the traffic that will be generated along a roadway. Likewise, how efficiently a road carries traffic will in part determine the Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 41

42 attractiveness of that corridor for development. It follows that for the most efficient land use pattern and roadway function, land use and transportation planning should be closely coordinated. There are several specific transportation policies that the Township should pursue. The following policies are recommended throughout the Township: Access Management Standards Public/Private Funding Policies Corridor Planning and Design Access Management Standards Achieving and maintaining an efficient transportation network will be a significant investment by Plain Township. Implementing an access management program can maximize the community s investment in road improvements. Access management is the regulation of the design, location, alignment, and number of entrances from private property onto a public road. The purpose is to minimize conflicts between traffic driving on a road and cars entering and exiting properties along that road. Reducing these conflicts can greatly improve traffic flow along a road. Access management seeks to consolidate existing poorly designed entrances into fewer well designed and planned entrances. Access management policies also reduce or eliminate entrance conflicts for future developments. Location and design of these entrances can be coordinated with public road improvements such as road widening, median construction, and traffic signal installation. Benefits that Plain Township can realize through access management include: Maintaining the level of service of roads; Minimizing traffic congestion and travel delay; Improving safety for vehicles and pedestrians; Providing safer access to roads from private property; Reducing the need for major road reconstruction or improvements; and Improving land use patterns. The most straightforward element of access management is regulating the design and location of driveway curb cuts off a roadway. This is achieved through a review and permitting system for all new driveways off public roads. The ODOT Access Management Manual provides an administrative model that Plain Township should consider. This manual establishes guidelines, a permit and review system, and enforcement provisions for all new entrances onto state highways. A parallel approach at the County level could also help alleviate issues on local roads. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 42

43 Public/Private Funding Policies Plain Township must continue to pursue traditional funding sources for road building through the State of Ohio. This especially includes working with Stark County to incorporate the Township s future road needs in regional transportation improvement plans. Plain Township should work on partnerships with developers for local road improvements. A key element of this partnership should be Traffic Impact Study requirements. A study provided by the developer should be required for any proposed project, which will generate enough traffic to significantly impact the road system, or where the types of traffic generated exceed a certain weight or size limit. The objective of a Traffic Impact Study is to: Determine whether or not the access request can meet the design standards and requirements of the applicable government agencies; Determine the appropriate location, spacing, and design of access connections necessary to mitigate the traffic and operational impacts on the highway system, as well as coordinate with any access management plan adopted by the Township; Determine the need for any improvements to the adjacent roadway system to maintain a satisfactory level of service and safety, and to protect the function of the highway system while providing appropriate and necessary access to the proposed development; Assure the internal traffic circulation of the proposed development is designed to provide safe and efficient access to and from the adjacent and nearby roadway system. Recommendations from a Traffic Study can then be used to allocate costs for road improvements fairly between public funds and private developers. The Township may also want to pursue other funding options available to assist with roadway improvements at the pedestrian level, such as ODOT s Transportation Alternatives program, which covers Roadway Enhancements, Recreation Trails, and the Safe Routes to School program, which could be pursued in conjunction with Plain Local School District. Corridor Planning and Design Improving the transportation system should also be considered an opportunity to visually enhance road corridors through landscaping, sign controls, and urban design standards. Plain Township s community image should be considered when making improvements to the transportation system. Accommodating increasing volumes of traffic without considering visual impacts of roadway improvements can destroy the character of a neighborhood. Road improvements can sometimes add to the visual clutter along a road, or eliminate the character of an attractive corridor by not considering visual impacts of the improvements. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 43

44 A coordinated streetscape within a corridor design can visually and physically link different parts of a community together. In Plain Township, opportunities exist to better link neighborhoods, which are separated by Canton and North Canton and to highlight entry corridors into the Township. An attractive streetscape can also build identity and be an integral part of creating a focal point or identity district for the Township. Corridors that could greatly benefit from such improvements include Easton Street, Market Street, US 62, Whipple Avenue, and Cleveland Avenue. There is a hierarchy to the function of the various roads in Plain Township. It follows that there should be a hierarchy to the level of future corridor design improvements. Physical design improvements to the various roads in Plain Township should address the following: Gateway statements; Design themes along corridors to define Plain Township s identity; Pedestrian and bicycle networks; and The appropriate mixture of public and private investment in improvements for corridor design plans. Easton Street (heading west) A sidewalk study is currently being undertaken by the Stark County Regional Planning Commission in the Belden Village area to provide better sidewalk connectivity for non motorists. The study area encompasses the new SARTA bus terminal, the Westfield Belden Village Mall block, and the university campuses. An inventory of existing sidewalks, bus stops and intersection improvements has been undertaken, and now the study is currently examining where new sidewalks would prove most beneficial. Most of this study falls within Jackson Township, but the Whipple Avenue corridor could potentially benefit from the findings of this study as well. Implementing the improvements identified in this study will help establish a more balanced, pedestrian friendly corridor, which would assist with the revitalization of this area, especially if provisions for mixed use development opportunities were made. The Stark County Area Transportation Study (SCATS) is also entering into the preliminary phase of a largerscale build out scenario for areas near the Akron Canton Regional Airport, which will also include sections of Plain Township. The preliminary study area is bounded by Mt. Pleasant to the north, Main Street/Cleveland Avenue to the east, Mega Street to the south, and Wales Avenue to the west. Plans for new development in this vicinity are in the discussion phase, and the County is taking a proactive approach with this study to ensure that any needed transportation improvements will be identified ahead of time. The study will take into consideration multi modal transportation options, safety and congestion factors, and future transportation and land use needs. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 44

45 Capital Improvements Planning Fire/Emergency Medical Services The Plain Township Fire and Rescue Department currently operates out of four fire stations. A new station at Schneider Park is entering into the construction phase and is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of This station will also house the Township Fire Department administration offices, which are currently located at the main Township building. A levy passed in 2006 is the primary funding source for this new station. Once the new station is complete, the Township may want to analyze the feasibility of alternative uses for the existing station on Easton Street. The Township currently operates fire stations at the following locations: 3625 Middlebranch Avenue NE* th Street NW* 2855 Easton Street NE* 7858 Market Avenue* *indicates station is staffed 24 hours/day The fire department currently operates on a five year, $4.5 million budget. The Trustees recently passed a resolution to implement soft billing, or third party billing, for Township residents as a way to recoup some of the costs associated with providing emergency ambulance services. Currently, only non Township residents are billed for these services. The Township will only collect money from the resident s insurance provider, Medicare or Medicaid; residents will not be required to pay for costs not covered by their personal health care insurance provider. The goal of soft billing is to reduce the amount of additional millage of new levies to be placed on the ballot. As the Township looks to save money, they should also consider additional automatic aid response agreements and vehicle sharing with contiguous communities. Full Time Staff Position # of Personnel Firefighters/Paramedics 33 Fire Chief 1 Deputy Chief 1 Secretary 1 Fire Prevention Officers 1 Dispatchers 4 Mechanics 1.5 Total 42.5 Source: Plain Township Fire and Rescue Department, 2012 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 45

46 Part Time Staff Position # of Personnel Deputy Chief 1 Dispatchers 1 Paid, On Call Firefighters/EMT's 7 Total 9 Source: Plain Township Fire and Rescue Department, 2012 Plain Township Fire and Rescue Department Budget, Year Salaries Tools/ Equipment New Buildings/ Equipment Total District Expenditures Revenues (From Levies) EMS Fees 2009 $3,854,413 $1,147,360 $4,523,655 $4,654,665 $190, $3,990,745 $24,606 $10,000 $4,507,412 $4,650,035 $145, $4,095,808 $54,665 $131,722 $4,632,783 $4,579,288 $173, $4,115,403 $63,862 $200,000 $4,487,929 $4,555,828 $154,000 *2013 $4,238,865 $200,000 $3,308,277 $7,817,420 $4,692,503 $158,620 *2014 $4,366,031 $315,778 $4,771,766 $4,833,278 $163,379 *2015 $4,497,012 $65,778 $4,725,439 $4,978,276 $168,280 *2016 $4,631,922 $67,751 $4,867,202 $5,127,625 $173,328 Source: Plain Township Fire and Rescue Department, 2012 * Budgeted, plus 3% increase The following table lists the equipment needs, as determined by The Township, based on a 20 year replacement cycle for the Township Fire and Rescue Department. Equipment Needs (Based on 20 Year Replacement Cycle) Year Equipment 2012 Rescue 2013 Pumper, Ambulance, Staff 2014 Tanker, Ambulance 2015 Pumper, Ambulance 2016 Air Truck 2017 Staff x Ambulance 2019 Pump 2020 Pump Source: Plain Township Fire and Rescue Department, 2012 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 46

47 Stark County Sheriff The new Sheriff s Office contract with Plain Township, 1/1/2012 through 12/31/2014, will require 15 deputies. The tentative schedule will be 3 deputies on day shift with a minimum of 2 working per day; 4 deputies on afternoon shift with a minimum of 2 working per day; 4 deputies on midnights with a minimum of 2 working per day; and 3 deputies on fill in. One deputy will be assigned as a full time investigator for Plain Township. The Stark County Sheriff s Office is to provide a School Resource Officer (deputy) to work with the Plain Local Schools. The Sheriff s Office invoices directly for the costs of this officer and is not part of the policing contract. There is a reserve deputy (a volunteer with the Sheriff s Office who has received training) from the Sheriff s Office that contracts directly with the Avondale Neighborhood Association to provide full time service to that neighborhood. The Sheriff s Office provides at no cost to Plain Township, dispatching and record keeping. Plain Township also benefits from several grant programs that the Sheriff s Office receives funding for including: High Visibility Traffic Enforcement Grant, Liquor establishments compliance checks, Violence Against Women Grant, Litter Program, Safe Child Seat Installment and Safety School. The Sheriff s Office also provides Compu kid services, Neighborhood Watch speakers and speakers for other organizations. There will be 16 marked vehicles and 1 unmarked vehicle owned by Plain Township for use by deputies from the Stark County Sheriff s Office (not including two vehicles, which will be phased out in the next three years). The replacement cycle of these vehicles is determined by the Township. The new three year contract negotiated will not exceed $4,446, Plain Township Vehicles for Use by Stark County Sheriff's Office Vehicle ID Vehicle Year Meter Vehicle ID Vehicle Year Meter , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,422 Source: Stark County Sheriff s Office, 2012 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 47

48 The following table illustrates the types of police activities occurring in Plain Township over the last four years. Over half of the activities were incident calls, which include such things as suspicious persons and vehicles, thefts, etc. The information shows that the overall total for police activities decreased significantly in the last year. Stark County Sheriff's Office by Activity ( ) Activity Year 2008 Year 2009 Year 2010 Year 2011 Accidents 1,031 (10.02%) 958 (9.93%) 912 (8.84%) 957 (11.02%) Bookings 452 (4.39%) 367 (3.80%) 318 (3.08%) 242 (2.79%) Citations 3,244 (31.54%) 2,776 (28.77%) 3,253 (31.52%) 2,315 (26.66%) Incidents 5,559 (54.04%) 5,549 (57.50%) 5,838 (56.56%) 5,169 (59.53%) Total 10,286 9,650 10,321 8,683 Key: Accidents Traffic Accidents Bookings Individuals arrested in Plain Township (warrants, domestic violence, etc.) Citations Traffic Citations (speeding, etc.) Incidents Calls to Residences or Businesses (suspicious persons/vehicle, theft, etc.) Storm Sewers Plain Township has identified the following drainage projects as priority projects and is pursuing grant money to cover the costs. In the past, the Township has pursued matching funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission for storm sewer and road projects. Review of budgets show that the Township will spend over $1 million per year to meet ongoing storm sewer improvements. Proposed Drainage Projects Project Year Estimated Cost Bentler East Center Storm Sewer NA NA Zimber Ditch NA NA Lindford Avenue Storm Sewer NA $1.3 million Harmon/Root Storm Sewer 2012 $15,000 Steiner Heights Storm Sewer NA $2.7 million Source: Plain Township Highway Improvement Plan, OPWC Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 48

49 Sanitary Sewers The Stark County Sanitary Engineering Department contracts with the City of Canton for Plain Township s wastewater disposal. In addition, the County manages any package treatment plants located in the Township. One of the major sewer projects planned in Plain Township is a trunk sewer extension along the West Branch through the Sanctuary Golf Course, which when completed will serve northwestern Plain Township and take off line the Waltham Woods (Bob O Link) wastewater treatment plant (300,000 gallons/day). The estimated completion date is mid The cost for this project is estimated at $1.2 million. Proposed Sewer Projects Location Project Description West side of I 77, Everhard to 38 th (Project 566) New Trunk Sewer Rehab and new 36" Trunk Sewer South of 38th St. through Arboretum and Ink Parks (Project 567) Fairhope Lift Station Rehabilitation, south of Mahoning (Project 549) Waltham Woods STP Interception (Project 569) New Trunk Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation Trunk Sewer through Sanctuary Golf Course 42" Sewer Rehab Existing Lift Station, Force Main and Sewer 4100 LF of 24" Trunk Sewer Tie in County Trunk to Canton Trunk Sewer New Sewer and Manhole (Project 570) Source: Stark County Sanitary Engineer s Office, LF of 42" Sewer The above projects are not assessed, but for an assessed project, the County assesses property owners 40 50% of the total cost of construction, e.g., a 100 wide, single family home would be assessed at $6,500. The homeowner would also be charged a connection fee of $1,950. Total cost for an average homeowner is approximately $8,450 plus excavator fees to abandon septic tank and connect structure. City of Canton Treatment Plant Daily Capacity Levels Type of Capacity Per Day Capacity Levels Design Capacity for Average Flow 39 million gallons/day Design Capacity for Peak Flow 67 million gallons/day Average (2011*) Flow 34 million gallons/day Source: City of Canton Water Reclamation Facility, 2012 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 49

50 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 50

51 Home Sewage The Stark County Health Department oversees household sewage disposal systems, including inspections. As of 2012, there were approximately 4,050 septic systems located within the Township. The Health Department has identified two home sewage treatment system (septic) problem areas within the Township; these include the Laurel Ridge allotment area northwest of Bentler Avenue and Easton Street and the Sherwood Village allotment area northeast of Middlebranch Avenue and 55 th Street. Problem areas are determined based on a number of factors, including soil type, year of system installation, lot size, and type of treatment system. The most common resolution methods include connecting to sanitary sewer or package treatment plants, or installing a new sewage treatment system. Water Plain Township receives water from the Cities of Canton and North Canton, and a private water company, Aqua Ohio. The City of Canton has the capacity to provide 24 million gallons of water per day. The Canton Water Department obtains its water from underground wells. There are three separate well fields that supply water to the City s three water treatment plants. The first is referred to as the Northeast Well Field, which located south of SR 62 of Harrisburg Road NE in Canton. The second is referred to as the Northwest Well Field, which is located just north of 38 th Street Guilford Road NW in Canton. The third is the Sugarcreek Well Field, which is located about 5 miles south of Navarre on the corner of SR 21 and SR 212. The City of North Canton has capacity to provide 9 million gallons of water per day. They serve approximately 21,900 customers. They obtain water from the following wells: two at Dressler Field, two at Price Park, two near the Treatment Plant along Freedom, two at the East Maple ball fields, and one off of Salway and 38 th. The North Canton Water Treatment Plant also has an emergency connection with the City of Canton Water System. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 51

52 Overall Plan Recommendations Sustainable Development Practices Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundlandt World Commission Report on Environment and Development, 1987). Sustainability can be broken down into three broad categories: economic, environment, and social equity. It takes an equal balance of all three for a community to establish a truly sustainable framework. Listed below are just a few common zoning and development practices that many communities currently utilize to achieve sustainability. As the Township looks to the future, implementing these policies where feasible will help develop a more vibrant, successful and sustainable community for many years to follow. Sustainable Development Tools Principle Description Implementation Mixed use Development Combination of compatible land uses to allow people to live, work and play within walking distance Create mixed use zoning district for appropriate areas such as Easton Street corridor, Whipple and Cleveland Avenues Site Design Pedestrian orientation Housing Diversity Design elements and beautification efforts to improve attractiveness of an area Development that takes nonmotorists into consideration Housing options for all ages, incomes and abilities Add "streetscaping" and other site design requirements for all new development Modify regulations to reduce setback requirements; promote rear/side yard parking; require pedestrian paths Increase elderly housing options; promote inclusionary zoning and mixed use; increase density Water Management Stormwater runoff control and conservation Establish riparian setbacks along waterways; promote "green" stormwater infrastructure Conservation Development Renewable Energy Denser concentration of development in limited area; preserves open space and reduces infrastructure costs Energy sources that are not reliant on natural resources Add conservation development regulations to zoning resolution to permit in place of traditional, unsustainable development patterns Add renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass, biogas) options into zoning resolution Source: Stark County Regional Planning Commission s Sustainable Planning and Zoning Handbook ( Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 52

53 Planning Policy Areas Plain Township contains a variety of different land uses and development areas. Some areas are indistinguishable from the cities of Canton and North Canton. Others are very rural and relatively undeveloped. This plan recommends the Township focus land uses strategies through the use of different Planning Policy Areas. One blanket approach to land use planning will not be able to accommodate the unique situations of each Policy Area. Fine tuning sustainable policy decisions and land use planning based on the unique situations in each Policy Area will result in a better overall plan approach. Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 53

54 Plain Township Mini Master Plan Page 54