X Supporting the 2021 Greene County Master Trails Plan
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CITY OF XENIA, OHIO RESOLUTION 2021 – X SUPPORTING THE 2021 GREENE COUNTY MASTER TRAILS PLAN WHEREAS, Greene County is home to over sixty-eight (68) miles of paved multi-use trails, thirty-six (36) miles of river trails, and a wide variety of hiking, mountain bike, and equestrian trails that are part of the nation’s largest paved trail network; WHEREAS, more than one million individuals, both local residents and visitors, annually utilize Greene County’s growing paved trails network, and Greene County’s municipalities have extraordinary opportunities with the Ohio to Erie Trail (connecting Cincinnati to Cleveland) and the Great American Rail- Trail initiative (a cross-country trail that connects Washington DC to Washington State); WHEREAS, working alongside citizens and leaders of local communities, the Greene County Regional Planning and Coordinating Commission and Greene County Parks and Trails have jointly developed and adopted a unified vision for the future of the County’s trail system, known as the Greene County Master Trails Plan; WHEREAS, the City of Xenia recognizes the benefits of trails and trail planning and expressed its support for the Master Trails Plan at its initiation by the passage of Resolution 2019-V on August 8, 2019; and WHEREAS, the Xenia Planning and Zoning Commission, at its May 6, 2021, meeting, voted (4-0) to recommend that this Council endorse the Greene County Master Trails Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF XENIA HEREBY RESOLVES, at least four (4) members of the City Council concurring, that: Section 1. The City of Xenia proclaims its support of the Greene County Master Plan, as adopted by the Greene County Regional Planning and Coordinating Commission via Resolution Number 21-04-27-2C, as a partnership-building policy tool that will aid regional efforts to maintain and enhance the Greene County trail system, and finds that its process has been inclusive of affected stakeholders and its goals and recommendations are consistent with the City’s trail needs as previously articulated in X-Plan. Section 2. It is found that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this Ordinance were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council that resulted in this formal action were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code. Section 3. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage. Introduced: May 27, 2021 Passed: June 10, 2021 Wesley E. Smith Attest: President, Xenia City Council Michelle D. Johnson City Clerk Greene County Master Trails Plan APRIL 2021 Contents 1. Introduction ............................................1 2. Vision and Goals ........................................5 3. Existing Conditions ....................................9 4. Public Input ...........................................27 5. Recommendations ..................................33 6. Implementation .....................................63 Information contained in this document is for planning purposes and should not be used for final design of any project. All results, recommendations, concept drawings, cost opinions, and commentary contained herein are based on limited data and information and on existing conditions that are subject to change. Further analysis and engineering design are necessary prior to implementing any of the recommendations contained herein. Geographic and mapping information presented in this document is for informational purposes only, and is not suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Mapping products presented herein are based on information collected at the time of preparation. Toole Design Group, LLC makes no warranties, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the underlying source data used in this analysis, or recommendations and conclusions derived therefrom. ii | Greene County Master Trails Plan Acknowledgments Greene County Oversight Committee Consultant Team Devon Shoemaker, RPCC Alex Bieri, Clifton David Shipps, AICP, Columbus Office Director, Toole DeAndra Navratil, RPCC Brandon Huddleson, Greene County Design Jon Dobney, Greene County Parks and Trails Alica Eckhart, Fairborn Katie O’Lone, AICP, Project Manager, Toole Design Stephanie Goff, Greene County Engineer Anita Chaney, Jamestown Jeff Ciabotti, Mid-Atlantic Deputy Planning Director & Trails Practice Lead, Toole Design Beth Workman, Tri-County Trails Julie Walcoff, Senior Planner, Toole Design Brian Forschner, Xenia Laura Cabral, Planner, Toole Design Brian Housh, Yellow Springs Galen Omerso, GIS Manager, Toole Design Cara Tilford, Sugarcreek Township Mariel Colman, PE, Engineer, Toole Design Carrie Smith, Spring Valley Township Ed Amrhein, Beavercreek Township Joshua Bradley, Jamestown Lee Harris, Fairborn Matthew Lindsay, MVRPC Melissa Clark, Little Miami Scenic Trail - ODNR Melissa Dodd, Bellbrook Tony Pergram, Cedarville | iii THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Introduction 1 Introduction The Greene County Master Trails Plan (MTP) lays the foundation for a unified approach to develop a safe and connected trail network. It is a long-range vision of what the network will look like in 2040 placed within the context of the region and the state while considering locally developed plans. The MTP plays an integral part of a strategic planning effort at the county level initiated by the Regional Planning and Coordinating Commission (RPCC) of Greene County in collaboration with Greene County Parks & Trails (GCP&T). This chapter describes the Plan’s purpose and structure and examines the benefits associated with active transportation. Expanding the trail system More people are walking and biking for everyday Quality of Life needs and there is an increased recognition in Comfortable and accessible bicycling and walking Greene County already has an established system the benefits of active transportation. In addition provide a host of quality of life benefits. They of trails with four major trails converging at the to existing high ridership in the County there has increase the number of travel options for everyone Xenia Station, centrally located in the county. The been an increased interest in biking and walking and can lead to a sense of independence in trails that cross Greene County are part of the during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding the seniors, young people, and others who cannot nation's largest network of paved trails. Regional trail network will have both health and economic or choose not to drive. Providing a high-quality trails include Creekside, Xenia-Jamestown benefits. active transportation network is important for Connector, and the Little Miami Scenic and Prairie Greene County residents who do not have full Grass, both part of the statewide Ohio to Erie trail. Benefits access to a vehicle. These major trails, as well as local bikeways and Active transportation can provide many Active transportation options are associated sidewalks help connect residents and visitors to 2 community benefits, even beyond personal with inviting places for people to live and work. everyday destinations such as neighborhoods, mobility, such as public health, economic Bicyclists often report greater satisfaction with schools, and work as well as major destinations, 3 development, quality of life, and environmental their commute than people who drive to work. In such as parks. The existing network builds a solid quality. In order to obtain these benefits it is communities that have invested in bicycling and foundation for the expansion of the network, important to invest in the infrastructure and walking infrastructure, bicyclists and pedestrian especially between some cities and villages that programs that support active transportation. commuters report the highest levels of “commute currently are not connected via bicycle facilities. well-being,” which is a measure of commute- Greene County sees thousands of bicyclists every based stress, confidence in arrival time, boredom year on their trails, with a daily average up to 281 or enthusiasm, excitement, pleasure, and ease of 1 bicyclists on it's busiest trail. trip. 2 | Greene County Master Trails Plan among residents. While there may be many reasons people feel socially isolated, land-use Physical Health and transportation systems designed around Environmental Quality According to the U.S. Health and Human the automobile can exacerbate these feelings. Support for bicycling and walking comes in part Services Department’s (USHHSD) Physical Car dependence reinforces solitary lifestyles from concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, Activity Guidelines for Americans, 150 minutes of and reduces opportunities for positive social stormwater runoff from highway facilities, and moderate-intensity aerobic activity (for example, interaction in public spaces.7 other environmental implications of widespread brisk walking) each week reduces the risk of personal vehicle use.11 Shifting to bicycling and many chronic diseases and other adverse health walking trips and concentrating development outcomes.4 For young people ages 6–17 the in dense walkable and bikeable communities USHHSD recommends participating in at least 60 Economic Development can reduce transportation-based emissions and minutes of physical activity every day. Engaging There is broad consensus across the country, and sprawling land use that impacts the natural in physical activity beyond these amounts can in Ohio, that