Volume 6, Numbers 9/1 0 Oct/Nov I 999 . Editor: David Beach WHERE Inside Making Northeast Ohio ARE WE a leader of sustainability o Home Builders for NOW? smart growth? o When EcoCtty Cleve/and Retail glut? started publishing in 1993, o we asked the question, Stormwater management "Where are we going?" forDoan Brook o We looked around Air pollution reforms Northeast Ohio o and saw disturbing trends Supporting your local . related to regional food system development pattems, the o decline of older communities, Smart.growth updates, and the loss of open space Bioregional calendar, and sensitive natural areas. and more As the century draws to close, it seems appropriate to ask, Good words "Where are we now?" The test of civilization is the power of drawing How has the civic dialogue the most benefit out of cities. matured on these critical -Ralph Waldo Emerson issues? What progress have we The American love affair made in Northeast Ohio? with the car is more like a shotgun wedding. It's time for a divorce. - Robert Liberty, See us on the Web at 1000 Friends of Oregon www.ecoc/eve/and.org HOME AT ECOCITY RETHINKING THE REGION

MiSSion National goals Managing our growth EcoCity Cleveland is a nonprofit, tax~exempt, educational organization. Through the publication of the EcoCity Cleveland Journal and other for sustainable development Here at EcoCity Cleveland we talk a lot about growth management - programs, it will stimulate ecological th inking about the Northeast OhiQ The following goals were established in 1996 by region (Cuyahoga Bioregion), nurture o.n EcoCity Network among local how to create balanced and sustainable p&ttems of development at the groups working on urban and environmental issues, and promote the President's Council for Sustainable regional level. Internally. we've also been talking about growth sustainable ways to meet basic human needs for food, shelter,. Development. They are interdependent goals­ management as an organization. productive work and stable communities. all flowing from an understanding that it is essential to seek economic prosperity, Board of Trustees When EcoCity Cleveland was founded in 1992, we were focused enviromnental protection, and social equity on one thing - starting this journal and making it the best possible David Beach, Director, EcoCity Cleveland together. TIle achievement of anyone goal is not MalGreater Cleveland ensure long~tenn social, economic. and to the board strong interests in urban design and historic preservation. Soren Hansen. Pennon; Associates ofOhio. Engineers envirolUnental benefits for ourselves WId futlu'e these groups has come together to bring institutional, financiaL Bud brings extensive.experience with conservation organizations, such Rick Hawksley, Fuller Design Graup and NE OhfoLand Tnl!>l Coalition generations. all this work together. They are • Create a five-year strategy for as The Nature Conservancy and the Chagrin River Land Conservancy. Michael Johnstone, Minority EnvironmentalAssocialion and • Stewardship: Create a wide1:y held ethic of developing strategies to. make Northeast overcoming tile barriers and achieving Envirospherics Consulting Ohio a national leader in the thought and the necessary changes. They both bring valuable business experience. Susan Lacy. United WE-CAN! stewardship that strongly· encourages individuals. practice of sustainability. We are also pleased to announce that we will be hiring another full­ Steve Madewell, Lake CountyMetroparks institutions. and corporations to take full The strategies will be fmalized at a time staff person, which will bring our core staff up to three persons. Elaine Marsh, Friends of the Crooked River responsibility for the economic. erivirolUnental, The planning committee for this major symposium on sustainable and social consequences of their actions. Amanda Morris, Garden Club o/Cleveland effort includes the local chapters of the communities to be held May 11-13,2000 The job announcement is on page 23. David Orr, Oberlin College Environmental Studies • Sustainable communities: Encourage American Institute of Architects and the in Cleveland. Possible strategies might Jeffrey Rechenbacb, Communications Workers 0/America people to work together to create healthy National recognition American Society of Civil Engineers, describe how to do more to maintain Mikelann Ward Rensel, Cleveland Neighborhood Development Corp. conunwlities where natw-a! and historic resources Nomlan Robbins, CWRU Program for the Environment Build Up Greater Cleveland (the We continue to attract national attention for our work and pUblications. are preserved, jobs available, sprawl is established cities and towns in the region. Erin Russell, Northeast Ohio Sierra Club are infrastructure program of the Growth In recent months we have been featured in a study by the National contained,. neighborhoods are secure, education is reduce income disparities, or reduce the Kathleen Tark. City Architecture Association), C~se Western Reserve Trust for Historic Preservation; a column by syndicated writer Neal region's emission of greerthouse gasses to Carol Thaler, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission lifelong, transportation and health care are University's Center for Regional Jerome Walcott, Commls,rio» on Catholic CommunftyAction accessible, and all citizens have opportunities to help meet international targets. Peirce; the journal of Urban Ecology, the respected group in the San Economic Issues, the Cleveland Francisco Bay area; the magazine of the American Planning Bill Whitney, Detroit ShorelVay" Community Development Organization improve the quality of their lives. Around the world, cities and regions Engineering Society, Cleveland State are redesigning themselves to take long­ Association; and the journal of the Michigan Land Use Institute. Organizations listed for identification only. • Civic engagement: Create full opportunity 'Articles inEcoCifyCleve/and do not necessarily reflect the views of board members, [or citizens. businesses, and communities to University's Levin College of Urban tenn sustainability into account. Now it's although there'$ a good chance they do. Affairs, EcoCity Cleveland, the office of Thanks • paliicipate in and influence the natural resource, Northeast Ohio's tum. envirorunental, and economic decisions that affect Congo Dennis Kucinich, Oberlin For more information about the Tha~s to The C!eve!and Foundation for a recent grant to support our EcOCity Cleveland Journal College's Environmental Studies 2&41 Scarborough Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 4411& them. Sustainable Communities Symposium core communications and networking programs. And our appreciation Cuyahogit Biorcgion • Population: Move toward stabilization of Program, TerrAqua Environmental 2000 (SCS 2000) planning process, to the Cyrus Eaton Foundation for a grant to support production of a Telephone 216-932·3007/ Pax 216-932-6069 the U.S. population. Consultants, and the U.S. EPA and contact the project staff person, Bioregional Map poster for Northeast Ohio, a project which will Ermail address: ecomail@ecoclevelandorg • International responsibility: Take a Department of Housing and Urban Web site: www.ecocleveland.org Rosemary Szubski at the Cleveland State follow up our Citizens' Bioregional Plan. leadership role in the development and Development. University College of Urban Affairs, • implementation of global sustainable development The planning committee has obtained Also thanks to the Living in Cleveland Center for giving EcoCity Published monthly, except forocculonal double issues. Unless otherwise 216-523-7495.0 Cleveland one of its 1999 Celebrating Cleveland awards in recognition notc: d. all articles and photographs are by David Be.ch. SubmiS5iol\.5 from others Me policies, standards of conduct, and trade and funding from U.S. EPA to help facilitate welcome, but please call first. We caMOI be responsible fot uR$ohcited materials. foreign policies that further the achievement of of the benefits we bring to Cleveland neighborhoods by focusing on five working groups covering political Save the dates! Readers are encouraged 10 us., the information in EcoCity Cleveland. Just call sustainability, for pennlssion to reprint articles. After you're finished with your copy of the journal, and legal issues. architecture and urban . The Sustainable Communities 2000 the detrimental effects of urban sprawl. Other award recipients • all p1L55' it on to friends or recycle it. If you are • regul8r reader. please 3ub3crioo. • Education: Ensure that Americans have design, infrastructure, business and Symposium will be May 11-13, 2000, at included Bishop Anthony Pilla, Cleveland State equal access to educ~tion and lifelong learning Supported by foundation grants, subscriptions and individual donations. economics, and health and education. A the Cleveland State University University housing researcher Tom Bier, and Printed at Orange Blossom Press in Cleveland on 100% posl-collliumer waste opportunities that will prepare them for broad membership of experts and Convocation Center. This promises to be recycled paper using soy·based inks. meaningful work, a high quality of life, and an Esperanza. ISSN 1084·0885 stakeholders has been recruited to a major event with nationally-recognized - David Beach . understanding of the concepts invol ved in C 1999 EcoCity Cleveland sustainable development. participate in each group. speakers and working sessions to finalize Editor The working groups will meet over a su.stainability strategy for the region. the next few months to develop strategic. 2 EooCiT)' ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 EcoCiT)' ClEVElANd 0 October INovember 1999 3 SMART GROWTH mindset focused on long-tenn lines of race and class. sustainability. It is an historic • Global competi,tion: Building a shared ''''.'Plor. 'LASS SuBURBAN MAN turning point. Metropolitan regions are the commitment . • Suburbs and central ' geographies that compete in the county at risk: If Cuyahoga global e.conomy. Areas with social to a region County does not make a tensions, a deteriorated urban core, Our region [the San Francisco Bay successful transition to traffic congestion, and area], like mariy others in North redevelopment, more communities environmental problems will have America, is faced with a growing set.of problems: will face decline. Already, the a harder time prospering. • A strong economy. but an increasing economic diVide county's oldest suburbs. from • Yearning.for community among our residents; Lakewood to Parma to Garfield and authentic places: Many • A serious shortage of affordable housing near job Heights to Euclid. are facing 'people are tiring of homes on centers; decline because of aged and lonely cul-de-sacs and suburban • Rising traffic congestion and diminishing transit obsolete real estate, deteriorating strip malls. They want real town service; infrastructure, and increasing squares, historic character, and • Class, race) and equity tensions within communities; . poverty rates. One-third of scenic vistas. TheY 'see that current • A crisis ill public education; and Cuyahoga County's home sellers development patterns are • A natural environment that is our greatest and most are now moving out to adjacent destroying the places they care threatened asset. counties where real estate is new about. We're waking up to the fact fuat the policies ofth.e past and taxes are lower. For every . In response to these factors, a 50 years - ones that promote the autoMmy o)individuals dollar of household income that rather amazing diversity of and cities over the needs of the region as a whole - are moves into Cuyahoga, $1.80 organizations and programs has major contributors to the state that we're in today. In fact, moves out. The general decline of emerged to advocate smarter without some near-term course corrections, oUr future quality Cuyahoga would have devastating Where are . ~e no~? forms of growth. These involve oflifeis in jeopardy. impacts on the entire region. environmental groups, civic and What will it take to make that mid-course corre.ctiqn? • Big box retailing: In the When EcoCify Cleveland started publishing in 1993, we asked the 'national media are full of stories about IIsprawlli and "smart.growthll business organizations, churches, We're not alone in asking this daunting question. It's coming· '90s, Northeast Ohio has been up in Portland, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, question, "Where are we going?" and "livable communities." Almost every local community has a universities and others. The invaded by big-box retailers like Baltimore, South Florida, Atlanta, and even Los Angeles. We looked around Northeast Ohio and saw a number of controversy over some development project. And no metro area activity is at the local, state and Wal-mart, Target, Kohl's, and Each of these regions is currently engaged in one form of disturbing trends: Older conununities in decline. New subdivisions wants to become the next Atlanta, where traffic congestion and air national levels (see sidebar on Home Depot. New I~power strip sprawling over farmland. Highways growing more congested. pollution are starting to strangle economic growth. . page 6 for a list of some of the dialogue or another on the (uturesustainability of their centers II have had sudden and region. Though many' of These efforts are addressing specific Transit agencies unable to serve an increasingly dispersed Why the increasing c<;Jncems? In Northeast Ohio, a number of local groups involved). dramatic impacts on communities. regulatory issues or provision ofregionalsemces, perhaps. population. Cars burning more fossil fuels and spewing more factors have converged to attract <:ltte~tion: A good example of the amount As a result, many more people are th~ most critical questio_~ is: Ho~ do'we build a sense of greenhouse gases. Costly sewer and water lines extended to new • Rapid pace of land consumption: The strong economy has of local activities came in one asking questions about how to responsibility and sharing - a· common sense of the developments at the edge of the metropolitan area: Existing . permitted larger and more expansive development that consumes month this fa ll. Between October maintain community character and region - among oW' residents? infrastructure crumbling. Urban residents fighting to revitalize more land. As a result, every time you drive out to the ~ountry, 6 and November 4, the Ohio quality of life. --'"·Shelley Poticha, neighborhoods. Rural residents fighting to preserve wetlands and another big chunk of it is gone. People care about the loss of open chapter of the American Planning • Traffic gridlock: Even executive director of the Congress for the New Urbanism open space. A scarcity of affordable housing. Wildlife habitats space and productive farmland. Association had a statewide though the region as a whole has (excerpted from the Urban Ecologist, 1997, Number 3) destroyed. • Fiscal constraints: The region now has so symposium on growth minimal traffic congestion, some We saw that all these trends'were related­ much infrastructure flung over so great a management; the local chapter of rapidly growing communities are if you ·could appreciate the regional context in A surge of concern, distance that it's hard to maintain the old while the Urban Land Institute (the City/suburb strategies being overwhelmed. Places like which they occurred. In the intervening years, we building new roads, bridges and sewer systems major organization.of developers) an emerging Mentor or Strongsville are In The State ofthe Cities 1999, the U.S. Department of have attempted to understand the dynamics of to serve new growth. The politics of the region is had a forum on the applicability of consensus about struggling to deal with congestion Housing and Urban DevelOPment issued three fll1dings about our region. And we have proposed changes that increasingly about fights over scarce resources. the Maryland smart growth that comes from building auto­ the state of metropolitan America: would preserve t~e best of Northeast Ohio and regional goals, And there is increasing awareness of how public program to Ohio, the Catholic oriented communities where 1) Thanks to a booming ltational economy, most cities sustain our quality of life in the future. subsidies for growth in one part of the region Diocese hosted a celebration to but a lack everyone has little choice but to are experiencing a strong fiscal and economic recovery. As the century draws to close, it seems undennine the prospects of other parts of the conclude a series of Church in the drive'all the time. . However, too many central citie~ are still left behind and appropriate to ask, "Where are we now?" of political ability reglOn. City forums on regional issues, • Changing needs: Our aging continue to face the challenges of population decline, lOss of What have we learned in recent years? How • Environmental constraints: There's and neighborhood groups and fair to turn things population needs walkable middle-class families, slow job growth, income inequality, has the civic dialogue matured on these critical growing awareness that O!lf sprawling housing advocates organized a neighborhoods with stores and and poverty. issues? What progress have we made in around. development patterns are creating intractable conference called IISustaining services close by. Growing 2) Some older suburbs are experiencing problems once Northeast Ohio? '------' environmental problems. Our water pollution Neighborhoods: An Antidote to numbers of childless households associated only with W'ban areas - job loss, population The answer involves three points. First, there's been a surge of comes from paving over the landscape, our air pollution comes . Sprawl." Shortly thereafter, the are secking the excitement and decline, crime. and disinvestment. Simultaneously. many interest and concern about these issues, and this has been very . from how much we drive, and our dwindling biological diversity Northeast Ohio Home Builders diversity of a more urban suburbs, including newer ones, are straining under sprawling encouraging. Second, there is an emerging consensus about the comes from how we encroach upon our remaining natural areas. jumped on the smart growth experience. Most new suburbs growth that creates traffic congestion, qvercrowded schools, challenges facing our region. Third, although many people and new • Cuyahoga County build out: In a few short years, Cuyahoga bandwagon by arinouncing the don't meet those needs. loss -of open spaces, and other sprawl-related problems as organizations are working on these issues, we still lack the political . County will be the first county in Ohio to use up all its virgin land . forn1ation of their own Smart well as a lack of affordable housing. ability and the political will to tum things around. Each of these • and be fully developed. It will then be faced with the novel • Social justice implications: Growth Education Foundation More people are becoming aware 3) There is a strong consensus on the need for joint city/ points is discussed below. question: What next? How does a county reorient itself from (see page 10 for details). that unbalanced development suburb strategies to address sprawl and the structural decline growth to maintenance and redevelopment? How can it improve In sum, the discussion has patterns in the region are leaving of cities and older suburbs. We now'have a historic Tide of concern (obtain better housing, better jobs, a better educated pppulation) come a long way in the past few behind older communities, the opportunity for cooperation between cities and counties - Even the most casual observer of the news must know that land use without growing? How can the county compete with new years. Many constituencies are poor, and minorities. As the region urban as wen as subtrrban - to address the challenges facing and regional development have become hot issues. The local and development in surrounding counties? This will re~uire a new focused smart growth. It has spreads out, it is stratifying along on our metropolitan areas. 4 EcoCiry ClEVElANd 0 OctoberINovember 1999 EcoCiry ClEVElANd 0 OctoberI November 1999 5 become a conunon denominator redevelopment of older, urban their beliefs. They are seeking innovative business groups, such as Cleveland Local activism in discussions about: core communities. This is strategies that can change the system or Tomorrow, have supported the What is sprawl? • Urban redevelopment especially important in a region work directly with citizens to make end runs redevelopment of Cleveland's downtown for smart growth • Envirorunental like ours where the growth in around it. and neighborhoods, the overall tluust of the Anthony Downs of the Brookings sustainability popUlation and employment is So you see the rise of the First Suburbs, business conununity has been to support Institution lists ten characteristics that Here are a few of the many • Foundations - Funding • Farmland preservation slow. a new vision of corrunon interests among economic development everywhere and defme spraWl development patterns: groups working on smart growth for smart growth projects by • Historic preservation • We want to preserve vital political leaders. Or you see the Catholic anywhere throughout Northeast Ohio (in • Predominance "of low-density issues in Northeast Ohio. The George Gund Foundation " Affordable housing ecosystems and open space. residential arid commercial settlements, and other local funders. Diocese' Church in the City initiative and this case, a large region that includes much • American Institute of • Welfare to work • 'Public policies and United WE-CAN's church-based of the northeast quadrant of the state). We especially in new-growth areas . ~ " Home Builders Architects ClevelMd Chapter­ • Reduction in concentrated investments - infrastructure . • Unlimited outward extension of new Association of Northeast organizing, which work with religious need more business leaders who will say Educational programs about poverty developments. Ohio - Programs to build on investments, tax policies, congregations from a moral and social that it matters where development occurs New Urbanism style of urban " Leapfrog projects jumping beyond smaller lots' and to reduce • Fiscal soundness economic development justice perspective. Or you see nonprofit within the region. design. established settlements. banrie", for building in thc city. • Economic competitiveness incentives - shape land use organizations, such as EcoCity Cleveland, • A focus on sustainability: At every " Build Up Greater " Quality of life patterns by setting • Single-use:development that ClevelMd - Sustainable • Land trusts - Northeast helping citizens develop regional land use level, our decision-making must be infused Increasingly, all ""------the stage for private sep,!rates sp.oppinS, working and residential Infrastructure Task Force Md Ohio Land Trust Coalition to plans that transcend political boundaries. with criteria of sustainability. Instead of a these 'issues are seen People want to development. activities. work to rebuild .the urban core. enhance preservation capability They are all parts of a lJ.ew civic short -term focus on rapid growth, we need a of local land trusts. • Low-d~nsity, single-use work places • CWRU Weatherhead as part Of a larger take care of " The slate infrastructure. long-term focus on enduring quality. As and strip relail development typically School - Study by the Center • League of Women ,fe'gional picture of has - or should To succeed in a difficult slate like Ohio, David Crockett, the leader of sustainability for Regional Econol'illC Issues Voters - Study oflinks ' land use and existing have - an these efforts will have to broaden and efforts in Chattanooga, TN, said in a recent located at the periphery of metropolitan on costs of sprawl. between transportation development. People communities important role to deepen in the coming years. In add.ition, the speech in Cleveland, "Every time a areas. -investments and urban sprawl. -_ Catllolic Diocese of are making the and the natural play in the foll owing will be needed: bulldozer cranks up it doesn't mean welre • Reliance On auto t:ransportation for • Media - Newspapers virtually all trips. Cleveland - Church in Ihe Cily connections. redevelopment of • State support: As we outlined last making money. II haw; regular coverage of initiative to build bridges world around older communities year in our Ohio Smart Growth Agenda, the • Fiscal disparities among .localities. development and ~ansportation between city, suburbs and rural Emerging them. But they and the preservation slate has been a major obslacle to progress Opportunity before crisis " Lack of adequate housing choices areas of Northeast Ohio. controversies~ public radio located close to work opportunities, thus (WCPN) and television (WVIZ) consensus see the system is of open space. on these issues. It needs to reorient We will not alter the development patterns • Citiz~ L~agu~ Research People are making • We want programs to take care of existing of a major American metropolis overnight. ~ forcing long commutes. Institute - Surveys of regional have had special series on . these connections all not set up to do efficient and corrununities anq preseIVe open space, such This is the work of a generation. It's'work .• Reliance mainly on trickle-:down to attitudes. sprawl. over Northeast that very well. sustainable use of as the way Maryland has done. The that involves broad, cultural shifts in values provide housing to low-income households. • Cleveland Restoration " Metroparks - Eight park districts in the region are Ohio. You can see '--______--' resources and tax necessary changes will require leadership and perceptions about what kinds of places • Fragmented land use deQisions by Society - Preservation local governments. Resource Center for Northeast working together to identify the heads nodding in dollars. from the governor and'state legislators. are desirable. It involves·a creeping Ohio to help preserve:; historic region~ open space agreement - whether it's at a • It makes sense to build only Citizens will have to communicate to their awareness that things.are out of balance, commUnities and landscapes. opportunities. meeting of a neighborhood the infrastructure·that future elected officials that smart growth policies that quality of life is eroding, that costs are What is smart growth? " Northeast Ohio Areawide development group in Cleveland, generations will be able to afford are bipartisan and will benefit a majority of rising, that communities are unstable. " CSU College of Urban The Smart Growth Network, a national Affairs - Studies on housing Cootditlating Agency - a church group'in Lake County, a to maintain. people in the state. And to mobilize support But the change is starting. And the organization of diverse partners trends, Enterprise Zones, and Transportation policies to farmland preservation group in • Plaruling for·land use and throughout the separate ""______"""1 exciting thing is that promote redevelopment of the coordinated by U.S. EPA, has defined the ed~e cities. Medina County, or a Realtors' transportation should be metro areas of the slate, we This is the work here.in Greater urban core. following principles to help defme "smalt • Countryside Program - group in Geauga County. integrated, since one affects the will have create a stronger Cleveland we have the " Northeast Ohi.o Regional growth.: II Public education and training Specifically, they seem to other. identity for Ohio as a of a generation. chance to come out Alliance - Forums on regional " Mix land uses (housing, shopping. about conservation development accept the following points: • People should have unique place. It's work that involves ahead of other regions. cooperation. · - workplaces,civic uses), techniques. • Land use patterns (the ways transportation choices and not be " Ohio Planning " More ways to act as broad, cultural shifts As troubling as our " Take advanlage of compact building • Cuyahoga County we spread our communities completely dependent on the a region: Projects like our situation is, it is not as Conference - Educational design. Planning Corn.ffiission - across the landscape) matter. automobile. Citizens' Bioregional Plan in values ·and dire as the situation of Planning for brownfields and events about smart growth "_ Create a range of I)ousing policies and the role of Indeed, they matter a lot. • Citizens acting together in are helping citizens craft a perceptions about many regions. Our greenspace, oppo~ties and choices. planning. • The metropolitan region is civil society can - and should - new vision of the region. h k" d f I growth has been slower, " EcoCity Cleveland­ " Create Walkable neighborhoods. • Seventh Generation­ the key unit of analysis, not playa role in development But more should be done to W at In sop aces more digestible. We Commuuicatiorts, networking • Foster distinctive, attraCtive Projects on conservation' individual cities and towns. decisions and in cre~ting a allow citizens and elected are desirable. haven't sprawled as and citizen planning for the communities with s strong sense of place. development and watemhed • Central cities and suburbs regional vision for the future. officials to think, plan, and much. We still have a region (Citizens' Bioregional • PreseIVe open spa.ce;Jannland, protection in Lorain County. are interdependent and share a act at the regional scale. manageable urban area. Plan) and the state (Ohio Smart natural beauty, and critical environmental Growth Agenda). • Sierra Club Northeast single, regional destiny. The challenge ahead We need more opportunities for cooperative We offer a high quality of life at a low cost Ohio Group - Active Urban areas. -Farmland Preservation • Given the political Underlying the above points is a governance across political boundaries. And of living. In short, we're not in a crisis like Sprawl Committee. " Strengthen and rurect development Office of Northeast Ohio­ fragmentation of Northeast Ohio, prese~ation ethic, a belief in we need more ways for citizens to hold their Atlanta or parts of California. " United WE-CAN - towards existing communities. New effort t~ develop programs we lack a coherent vision of our stewardship. People want to take elected officials accountable for decisions It's said that people never mobilize to Grassroots organizing in .church • Provide 's variety of transportation to preserve farmland. region and ability to act as a care of existing communities and that have regional impacts . . change things until there is a crisis. But that congregations on issues related choices. • Federation for regIOn . the natural world around them. • A unifying regional project: To get may not be true. Another thing David to outmigration. . • Make development decisions Connnunily Plamung­ But they are realizing that the us in' the habit of working as a region, we Crockett said in his recent speech here is " U.S. EPA Cleveland • The region would be more predictable, fair, and cost-effective. Research on the impacts of successful with better system - a hard-to-comprehend need inspirational projects. The Ohio & Erie that the great transformations of history ­ outmigration on health and office - Community-based • Encourage community and coordination and less intra- ' mixture of fragmented political Canal National Heritage Corridor is a good from the Industrial ~evolution to the hwnan services. assistance for livable s4tkeholder collaboration in development regional competition. institutions, laws, policies, and example of project that begins to tie the Infonnation Age - come from opportunity, - First Suburbs Consortium coltununities. decisions. markets - is not set up to do that center of the region together. Now it's time not from crisis. Opportunity drives change. of Northeast Ohio - . • UrbanLandlnstitute • The region would be For more information about Cleveland Chapter - Foruins healthier with reduced fiscal and very well. to think of a larger regional greenbelt for In the case of Northeast Ohio, we have Organization of inner-ring the Smart Growth Network, see on smart growth for developers racial disparities between city and That's a big reason why so open space preservation and recreational the opportunity to think about our growth, suburbs working for balanced www.smartgrowth.org. development in the region. and public officials, suburbs. many people and organizations amenities. plan well, and do it right. • We want to see more are exploring new ways to act on • Business leadership: While local We have our opportunity. Let's seize it.

6 EcoCiTy C lEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 EcoCiTy ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 7 SMART GROWTH ACTIVISM State's urban First Suburbs Euclid. And Susan Infeld was reelected to Cuyahoga greens pace the University Heights City Council. revitalization tasl< force Consortium As part a program to update the land use Business for plan for Cuyahoga County, the County is a private affair produces results Planning Commission has begun a In a follow-up to fonner Gov. George The First Suburbs Consortium, the urban transportation Greenspace Project to study the potential for Voinovich's Farmland Preservation Task Under the leadership of the Greater open space protection, parks, greenways, organization of fully developed Force, Gov. Bob Taft has appointed an C leveland Growth Association, chambers of trails, gardens, and other "green communities around Cleveland, is proving Urban Revitalization Task Force to explore that working together produces results. commerce in Ohio have fonned the Ohio infrastructure." The idea is that even in a ways to rebuild Ohio's urban cores. TIle task With the cooperation of Cuyahoga Urban Transportation Coalition to promote highly urbanized county, good planning and force is chaired by Lee Johnson, director of County Treasurer Jim Rokakis, the group urban redevelopment. The group hopes to community input can uncover exciting new the Oh.io Dopartment of Development. . has created an innovative linked-deposit influence candidates for the OhiS' General opportunities to connect people with nature. Members from Northeast Ohio include program in which the county will deposit up Assembly next year, as well as the 200 I For more infonnation, contact the State Sen. Prentiss, Cleveland Mayor to $40 million in local banks to leverage state budget process. planning commission's Virginia Aveni or c.J. . Michael White, Akron Mayor Donald low-interest loa'ns for home improvements The goal is to increase the amount of Kathy Rocco at 216-443-3700. in First Suburb communities. The group state money going to local governments to PlusqueJlic, and Lorain Mayor Joseph also has raised $250,000 to hire consultants maintain the transportation system. Land trusts thinl< regionally Koziura. SMI\RT with expertise in making older commercial In recent years, Northeast Ohio has While the farmland task force held a districts more competitive in today's retail CDCs focus on state policy developed a number of active land trusts­ series of well-attended public meetings GROWTH markets. Each participating suburb will Realizing that state policies greatly nonprofit organizations that preserve land in . throughout the state, the urban revitalization propose several commercial areas for study influence the redevelopment of urban their communities through purchase, the task force has been a closed-door affair. In \S and strategic guidance. neighborhoods, community development acquisition of conservation easements that recent months, the big-city mayors on the Another focus is the U.S. Department of corporations in Ohio are organizing a prevent deVelopment, or other means. The task force-each held private focus groups to GODD Housing and Urban Development. First statewide advocacy coalition. The group's organizations include groups such as the gain input. Staff and cons~ l tants of the Suburbs' officials are workffig together to first initiative will be the enactment of a Chagrin River Land Conservancy and Department of Development then spent pressure HOD to improve management of Neighborhood Assistance Program to Headwaters Land Trust, as well as other October and November drafting a report .. Bus H.J E. Sf).' ~ection 8 other federal housing programs fa~ilitate community revitalization through nonprofits that preserve land, such the On December 9, the task force steering that often create eyesores in older partnerships with businesses and nonprofits. Holden Arboretum and the Audubon corrunittee will review the draft report. The communities. For more information, call Robyn Roche at Society of Greater Cleveland. fInal recorrunendations will be sent to Gov. In the coming months, the group plans the Cleveland Neighborhood Development Now, under the umbrella of the Taft in January. Taft will then use the to incorporate as a council of governments. Corporation, 216-928-8100. Northeast Ohio Land Trust-Coalition, these . reconunendations to fonnulate an urban organizations are thinking about how to Around the state, its members are helping to revitalization policy agenda. Areas of focus organize First Suburbs groups in the work more effectively at the regional scale. Preserving more than are brownfield re~evelopment, housing, Columbus and Cincinnati areas. And they At workshops during the past year, transportation, taxes, tax incentives, are working with a lobbyist to articulate the historic buildings representatives have discussed how to share workforce development and education, needs of older communities at the The Clevelarii Restoration Society has infonnation, legal expertise about land health, conununity building and safety. Statehouse. One legislative goal is a $20 completed the restoration of the historic deals, and public education campaigns. According to one source, ~en. Prentiss' million state revolving loan fund for Sarah Benedict House at 3751 Prospect Several of the local land trusts are admits it will be challenging to gamer wide­ redevelopment initiatives in older suburbs. Ave. in Cleveland. The house is now the considering merger~ in order to become In Greater Cleveland, First Suburbs now home of the Preservation Resource Center large enough to afford paid staff. spread support for urban redevelopment has ten dues-paying members - Bedford, of Northeast Ohio, which will allow the For more infonnation, contact Roger initiath~e·s in state where rural, urban and Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Garfield Restoration Society to expand its services Gettig at Holden Arboretum (440-946- suburban areas m-~ always in competition beyond the City of Cleveland. for state funding. Heights, Lakewood, Maple Heights, Shaker 4400) or Rich Cochran at the Chagrin River Headlines: Smart growth news and photos from Ohio (supplied by Ec.City Cleveland) According to the society's executive But Prentiss adds, "The city is the Heights, SouthEuclid, University Heights, Land Conservancy (440-247-0880). the the (1999, 2), the rme the director Kathleen Crowther, "With the made cover of Urban Ecologist Number jounuil from San and Warrensville Heights. Representatives mother community. Ifit does not truive, Francisco Bay area .. from other cities in Cuyahoga and Lake establishment of the Preservation Resource NORA funded to promote everything else suffers ... I think it is counties also attend meetings. Center, we have made a significant step in regional forums incumbent on the governor's staff to figure acknowledging that preservation has For more infonnation, see 'vww. The Northeast Ohio Regional Alliance has out ways to acculturate legislators who don't towns and preserve open space, he said he development practices. changed. Today, historic preservation is not firstsuburbs.org or call Keith Benjamin at received grants from the Geor:ge Gund think that, so people don't see themselves in supported programs to redevelop urban core The founders are Prof. Larry Libby of just about rallying to save do~town the City of Cleveland Heights, 216-291- Foundation, the GAR Foundation, and U.S. competition. We've got to work together." communities and help counties do better the Ohio State University Dept. of landmarks. It is about neighborhood 2854. EPA to convene conununity discussions 1 For more information about the task planning for growth. Agriculture, Environmental and revitalization and sacred landmark about policy issues that affect the region, force, call Vince Lombardi at the Ohio "It would be hard for the state to impose Developmental Economics and John preservation. It is about ~aintaining the First Suburbs winners particularly issues relating to land use. Department of Development, 6 14-466- II McGory of Th.e McGory Group conSUlting architectural integrity of "first-ring" suburbs grov.rth controls, he added. "But it can help Congratulations to the active First Suburbs In the coming year, NORA will hold a 3379. fmn in Westerville. such as Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, and increase the local capacity to plan." participants who were winners in the series of public forums, as well as small Shaker Heights. And it is about growth November 1999 elections. First Suburbs meetings with county commissioners of the management plans. for fast-growing Taft on smart growth New state coalition formed Open space desires chairman Kermeth Montlack was reelectcd seven-county region to identify issues of communities such as Chagrin Falis, Hudson, Gov. Bob Taft's speech at the Cleveland The idea that "Ohio is going to grow and we A recent Time lVfagazine poll said 57 to the Cleveland Heights City Council common interest. and A von Lake tha t desire to protect their· City Club on October 29 dealt mostly with can do a better job if we all work together," percent of Americans favor "the without opposition. Judy Rawson was The Citizens League Research Institute establishment of a zone or greenbelt around sma11-town atmosphere. II education and job training. But in response is the starting point for a new group ca lled elected mayor of Shaker Heights. Mayor is acting as the group1s fiscal agent. For For more information, ca11216-426- to a question about supporting smart growth the Coalition for a Better Ohio. It aims to your corrununity where new hom~s> Pa ul Oyaski was reelected in Euclid. Mayor more information, contact NORA's 1000. policies to redevelop existing cities and recognize innovative lana use and businesses or stores could not be built on Jolm Kocevar was reelected in South coordinator, Carol Gibson, at 216-932-8733. land that is currently undev~lopcd . "

8 EcoCil)' ciEVEIANd 0 October/November 1999 EcoCil)' ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 9 BUILDING SMART Builders told to use 'smart' techniques IfN_ortheast Ohio's builders don't figure out new ways to accommodate. growth without hamling the envirorunent, communities and quality of life, .the goverruuent will force them to with horrid neW rules, top real-estate experts told builders and-bankers last night. _ 1II~mart growth' is }lere; and as much as we fight it,_it i ~nqt going t_o_go-awaY,n Bob Dyer, vice president afForest City Land Group, told the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland. - At -the group's aIihua:1 meeting at the. Cleveland Marriot(Downtown at Key Center, the-association's leadership rolled outa new smart-growth platfonn and asked developers - many of them wary - to support it. National chains are expanding rapidly in a battle for market share, How -ThePiain Dealer, November 5,1999 many stores will survive, and how many will become abandoned eyesores'! Building, a mix of housing The Smart Growth Education Foundation has begun Retail glut? ,worldng with local governments to belp them Does Northeast Ohio have enough consumer dollars to support all the new aecorhmociate growth and meet the commUnity's Sprawling suburbs or walkable neighborhoods? Public opinion and changing demographics are pushing home builders "to place drugstores and other national chains that have been flooding into the region? increasinghou$ing demands while preserving natural more emphasis on the "latter. Local planners are trying to answer the question and have almost completed resoUrces and !rtilizing existing infrastructure as the region's first comprehensive inventory of retail establishments. The inventory efficiently as possible. Through a combmation of is part of a seven-county retail business study being conducted by the Northeast higher-density new dev:elopment, rehabilitation of Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency in association with the planning existing homes and redevelopment of urban centers, Home builders for smart growth? commissions of Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Medina and Lorain counties the-future housing needs of our p-optilatio~ can be and the City of Cleveland. As part of the inventory, each retail establishment is met with a diverse and alIorila61e supply of homes, One can be excused for being a little an alternative to new development at the common agenda with smart growth being categorized by location, square footage and retail type. condominiums and apa;rtment buildings. For cynical when the home building industry outer edges of the metro area. advocates. To date, information from the inventory phase has revealed some interesting example, cluster development - grouping homes on comes out for smart growth. After all, the • Expand the supply of residential For instance, we can all agree to: trends, such as a significant amount of "overs to ring" in Northeast Ohio. For the more buildable portions of a site - allows home builders have been the most vocal building sites on smaller lots throughout the • Support sensible regional planning example, although suburban.Cuyahoga County experienced a 7.4% decrease in developers to leave mOre o~en space. to preserv~ opponents of efforts by states and region. and public investment that will steer popUlation since 1968, it saw a 62.4% increase in the amount ofretail natural features and_to' reduce the costs of extending communities to manage growth­ • Promote more concentrated new development where environmental impacts development during the same period. Similarly, the 1998 national average of sewers and roads. Also, including affordable housing regardless of whether the efforts involve residential development, meaning that non­ infrastructure costs are minimized. 18.6 square feet of retail square feet per capita was exceeded by three and a half in large planned coirununities gives optiorui for all . open space preservation, zoning changes, or envirorunentally sensitive areas improved • Promote conservation development to times j.n Lake, Geauga and suburban Cuyahoga counties and by five times in segments of U,e home buying market. measures to protect envirorunentally or with sewer and water must, on average, be cluster housing and preserve open space northern Summit County. Yet in spite of these high numbers, significantly more - Home Builders of Northeast Ohio historically significant resources. developed at significantly higher densities and farmland. retail development is being proposed in many ofthese areas. But the growing public dissatisfaction than are currently permitted by most local • Redevelop established communities Another trend is the continuing expansion of national retailers into the area, with suburban sprawl is motivating groups zoning codes. at rugher densities to create walkable' Highway contractors which has resulted in smaller local merchants being bought out or going out of of home builders to take a more thoughtful The initiative is an outgrowth of neighborhoods. on the defensive? business. In addition, the trend toward more larger, "big box" stores has resulted­ approach. For example, the home builders builders' frustrations over large-lot zoning. • Work to break down exclusionary The highway lobby re~ent1y formed the Ohio in more one-stop shopping, which in tum has in1pacted the viability of many from II counties in Northeast Ohio recently A great deal of new residential land in zoning and build affordable housing in Environment-GroMh Alliance "to educate the public retail strips throughout the area. . Northeast Ohio is zoned for lots of an acre every community. created a "Smart Growth Education and officials regarding the truth about 'urban sprawl' In spite of this apparent overstoring, vacancy rates in many suburban retail Foundation" to 'present a unified voice on or more. This forces home builders to This is the pro-development vision that al~d land Use issu~s.1I It will promote free-market areas remain fairly low at this time. This generally can be attributed to the growth-related issues. Among the leaders of consume land in big chunks and build only EcoCity Cleveland advocated in our 'policies that will-"allow OhioanS to continue to strength of the economy in recent years. However, vacancy rates in the retail the effort is the Greater Cleveland Home expensive homes that do not meet the needs Citizens' Bioregional Plan. We believe that choose where they want to live and how they want to sector could be negatively affected by a downturn in the economy, increased Builders' new executive vice president, of a substantial portion of the market. most of the new housing units needed in get there." competition from big box retailers, and the explosive growth of electronic Meanwhile, red tape and high land Northeast Ohio could be build in existing Dick Anter, the fonner n"iayor of Fairview The group will try to convince an increasingly commerce. Concerns over how vacant storefronts irn.pact community vitality, Park and fom1er director of downtown assembly costs make redevelopment communities if aggressive strategies were skeptical public that unfettered growth and suburban character and image could become more numerous should there be a rise in development for the Greater Cleveland difficult in older urban area~. in place to promote redevelopment and sprawl really doesn't raise housing costs, increase vacancy rates throughout the region. conserve land. There's no need to keep Growth Association. traffic congestion and increase social polarization. Once the inventory portion of tJ:Le study is completed, the study will proceed According its brochure, the foundation Pro-development vision tearing up the countryside the way we are And it will push the contradictory message that with a trade area analysis, which will indicate shopping pattern,s throughout will work with community groups and all The danger in all this is that builders will today. . continued highway building is the best way to give Northeast Ohio, and a determination of how retail development impacts seek to build high-density new housing all If we work together as a region for levels of government to: Ohioans transportation choices. .community tax base, services, land use and the environment. The final phase of over the region, instead of in appropriate smarter forms of development, we can • Improve local zoning codes and For moreinfonnation "about the al-liance, can the study, expected to be completed in the summer of2000, will assess new retail places and with designs that complement improve our communities and keep home development regulations to allow a variety 800-860-5511 or see the Web site of the Ohio development trends in the region and develop land use strategies for future existing conununities. But if they are builders well employed. housing and pricing, preserve open space Construction Information Association at www. commercial growth and redevelopment. and protect natural resources. sincere about a more balanced approach to For more infonnation about the home ocianews.com. For more infonnation about the Northeast Ohio retail study, contact James deVelopment in the region, there could ~e a • Revitallze older cities and suburbs as builders' project, call 216-524-0756. 0 Kastelic at the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission,.216-443-3700. 10 EeaChy ClEVElANd 0 October/ November 199'9 EcoCiry ClEVElANd 0 OctoberINovember 1999 11 WATERSHEDS brook began to suffer the impacts of already developed and that it is typically Part 1 urbanization. There is evidence of dredging easier to protect a watershed while it's being Teclmical support and training on activity in the lakes dating back as far as developed than to restore one that is already stormwater management and retrofitting 1893. Between 1902 and 1926, the lower urbanized. Target audience - municipal officials, portion downstream of University Circle • The wide diversity of land uses and planning commissions, local watershed . was charu1elized with stone revetments to pollutant sources within the watershed. professionals, and local watershed try to control flooding. By 1932 • The variation in stonnwater and advocates development in the watershed required the watershed management priorities The purpose of this part ofllie project is raising of the existing walls and the throughout the watershed. to convey information on state-of-the-art construction of new ones. By 1955, With these concerns in mind, EcoCity watershed and storrnwater management however, even these walls could not handle Cleveland and the Center for Watershed techniques, tools, and pmctices that can be the flood flows Protection (CWP) teamed up to develop a effective in the Doan Brood watershed. In the I 960s, severely degraded water CWP has identified eight tools of watershed corrununity-based, watershed-wide quality, flooding, lack of aquatic life, and and stonnwater management for urbanized approach to stonnwater runoff management several other factors began to raise citizen watersheds (see sidebar on page 15). A in the Doan Brook watershed. The two-part concerns. A series of water quality and watershed manager will generally need to project will complement the ongoing work flooding studies were completed, and, in apply some fonn of each of these eight 1974, the Joint Committee on the Doan of the regional sewer district by examining tools to ensure resource protection. Brook Watershed, a committee of citizens the feasibility of stonnwater management Review of current programs: To and public officials, was fonned to continue techniques that exceed the jurisdicti9n of begin, we will review the stonnwater and monitoring the brook. the district and that mobilize community watershed programs of Cleveland, participation. Cleveland Heights, and Shaker Heights to Problems in the watershed Today, Doan Brook and the Shaker Lakes face many problems common to urban streams and lakes, including poor water quality, degraded aquatic life, and flooding. Many of these problems are caused by watershed-wide phenomena. For instance, Urban crccl<; Doan Brook cuts through sandstones and shales, at the edge of the Portage Escarpment. the increasing amount of impervious cover Doan Brook watershed (surfaces such as roads and rooftops that are impervious to rain) has reduced stonnwater infiltration into the ground and increased· the velocity· and volume of stonnwater Healing Doan Brool< flows to the brook. This, combined with an efficient stormwater conveyance and Out of all the urban creeks in Gieater During the next six months we will be Lower Shaker Lake, was formed from Dean · drainage system, causes stonnwater to flow Cleveland. Daan Brook has more potential working with the three cities in the Brook in 1826. Horseshoe Lake was fonned rapidly into the brook in flows that are than most to be restored to ecological health watershed, along with citizens and in 1852 when the Shakers dammed the greater in volume and peak more rapidly and to become a great recreational amenity. homeowners, on methods for reducing the upper reaches of the brook to power their than occurred before urbanization. This Nearly all of the brook - which flows volume of stonnwater flooding into the mills. Hundreds of acres of land along the stonnwater runoff, in tum, is the main through Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, brook and for reducing the amount of length of the brook were donated to the City transport mechanism of pollution from and Cleveland's University Circle and ppllutants carried by the stonnwater. To of Cleveland in the late nineteenth century sources throughout the watershed. Glenville neighborhoQds - is still above help us with this project, we have hired the by area philanthropists, and by 1896, the In an urbanized setting such as the Doan Brook watershed, the many intertwining c._---·\ ground rather than being buried in a culvert. Center for Watershed Protection, a whole lower reach of the Doan Brook 1;01, '- And much of the surrowlding stream nonprofit organization based in Maryland. became one continuous park. It has been relationships ~etween land use, human ~ / corridor is park land. The center has a national reputation for reported that-on a single Sunday in 1896 activity, rainfall, development, and the But, like l,nost urban streams, Doan cutting-edge thinking about the restonition more than 43,000 people used High Level stream system quality mean that watershed Source: CWRU Dept. of Civil Enginuring Brook is seriously impacted by sewer of urban streams. Drive (now East Boulevard) in caniages, on management and storrnwater management Doan Brool< facts overflows and polluted stonnwater runoff A summary of the project follows. bicycles, and on foot. Between 1915 and are equally intertwined. To solve water Doan Brook carries stormwater runoff to Lake Erie from Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, from streets, rooftops and parking lots. TQ 1939, ethnic groups built " Cultural quality problems one must overcome a Shaker Heights, and small portions of Beachwood and University Heights. The brook's address some of these problems, the Doan Brook history Gardens" throughout the public park lands nwnber of difficulties: total length is about 9.4 miles, and its watershed encompasses an area of approximately Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is In 1798, Nathaniel Doan, a member of along the brook as World War I • The difficulty in coordinating 8,000 acres. It discharges to -Lake Erie at Gordon Park near the Cleveland-Bratenahl undertaking a multi-million dollar study of Moses Cleaveland's exploration party of commemorations. tn the I 960s, the Nature watershed and stonnwater management border. Wastewater from the Doan Brook area is conveyed to the Easterly Wastewater the stream and the sewers that drain to it. 1796, moved with his family four miles east Center at Shaker Lakes was fonned during efforts between the cities of Cleveland, Treatment Plant. As part of this study, ~he sewer district is of Cleveland's Public Square to the comer a fight by local citizens to prevent a Cleveland Heights, and Shaker Heights, as In the past two years the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has undertaken a funding a number of community projects of an old wagon trock (now Euclid Avenue) freeway from passing along the park lands well as the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer comprehensive study of the watershed to figure out the best ways to: that go beyond the district's jurisdiction for and a stream, which later came to be known and over the Shaker Lakes. Today, the park District (NEORSD) • Meet federal standards for combined sewer overflows (overflows of sewage and water pollution co~troL as Doan Brook. Ever since, the brook has lands are popular with joggers, bikers, and • The lack of technical assistance and polluted stonnwater from old sewers that have sanitary and storm drains in the same EcoCity Cleveland was fortunate to been an integral part of the surrounding bird-watchers. The nature center plays a financing available to homeowners to pipe). receive some of these funds to explore community. role in the education of many school implement backyard techniques that can • Address flooding and other stOlmwater related problems. iru10vative ways to manage urban The oldest man-made lake in Ohio, children in the area. help curb pollution. • Improve water quality and aquatic habitat'ofDoan Brook. stonnwater in the Doan Brook watershed. As early as the tum of the century, the • The fact that much of the watershed is 12 EcoCiry ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 EcoCiry ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 13 detenmne existing progranunatic strengths officials and watershed professionals, will etc.). These priorities may vary with and possible areas for improvement. The contain information on the implementation, watershed location. We recognize the Eight tools of review of ordinanc~s, reports, development design, cost, and effectiveness of tools and diversity in both residential lot size and stormwater review processes, and other documents programs (especially in the areas of income throughout the watershed, and will management for often provides only a ·surface knowledge of pollutant source identification, land try to propose a diversity of backyard urban watersheds what is actually happening in a jurisdiction. . reclamation, riparian management, erosion retrofit techniques, in terms of priority Therefore, we will meet personally with and sediment control, better site design for control, space consumption, and cost for Th" following tools are part of appropriate representatives from the cities. redevelopment, stormwater BMPs, implementation (always focu'sing on-low­ a comprehensive strategy for This will include a field trip throughout pollution prevention, and watershed cost implementation). It is important to reducing the Ilash floods of each jurisdiction's portion ofth.e watershed education and outreach). This notebook, note that backyard retrofits are not polluted stormwater that to identify areas of concern, existing customized for each city, will also include restricted to structural practices. They may degrade Urban streams: stormwater management practices, the summary of the stonnwater include human behaviors that may impact • Source identitication: dominant land uses, etc. water quality, such as pet Efforts to identifY sanitary Retrofit inventory:. waste management. , Stormwater retrofits are a Backyard retrofit sewer overflows, combined series of structural best designs: We will prepare sewer overflows, illicit sewer management practices illustrated examples of connections. and other (BMPs) for urban five to ten backyard pollution hotspots in the watersheds. Examples retrofits detailing design, watershed. include constructing on-site implementation, • Land restoration: The stormwater control measures effectiveness, and cost restoration of forests, wetlands at the edge of large parking data for residents. These and soils in the watershed to" areas; retrofitting older designs will be distributed reduce water nmoff stonnwater detention ponds; throughout the -Ripar.ian management: constructing new BMPs at communities by flyers and 1be protection, restoration; the upstream end' of road will be published in the creation or reforestation of culverts; constructing new EcoCity Cleveland BMPs at stonn drairiage Journal. vegetated buffer areas along pipe outfalls; and Public presentation: streams, wetlands and lakes. constructing small in-stream Finally, we will invite • Better site design for devices. Stormwater local homeowners, . redevelopment: Techniques, retrofits are typically placed Lower Shaker Lal{e: Doan Brook flows through it. residents, and watershed such as vegetated drainage throughout the watershed to activists to a free public ateas next to parking lots, that help mitigate the impacts of urbanization at program review, and up to eight conceptual presentation on the impacts of urbanization _ disconnect impervious the source, as opposed to traditional end-of­ sketches of structural stonnwatertetrofits on streams, and the backyard retrofit surfac_es fr~m slon'n drains. pipe solutions. In this part of the project, based on the results of the field opportunities available to homeowners. • Erosion and sedim"ent CWP will conduct a retrofit inventory on reconnalssance. This presentation will be customized for control: Techniques to.k.eep up to five square miles of the watershed. Workshop: Finally, we will conduct a the Doan Brook watershed and will be soil from washing away, The objective will be to identifY potential free, one-day stormwater management based on the results of the backyard retrofit especialJy during construction. locations for-stormwater management workshop with an agenda tailored to meet survey. 0 Ekoraft maintaining the ecological balance of a lake in Hudson. practices produce up to eight conceptual the needs of the local municipalities in the • Stormwater best design sketches for implementation Doan Brook watershed as well as other For more information management practices: Clean water with living machines Training in the field: The retrofit fully developed communities. The morning For more information about this Doan Structural practices, such as inventory will involve both in-the-office session will focus. on effective, watershed­ Brook watershed project, contact: detention basins and "The challenge of the 21 st century will be to reverse the excesses of the 20th· century, and that will preparation and field reconnaissance of wide stormwater management tools • David Beach at EcoCity Cleveland, constructed wetlands, that can require a design revolution," said John Todd in a recent speech in Cl~veland as part of the potential sites. We will request local applicable to the Doan Brook watershed. In 216-932-3007 or dbeach@ecocleveland. . be integ,ated into the "Redesigning Cleveland" speakers series. officials, engineers, and stakeholders to the afternoon, we will present the results of org. landscape to mitigate runoff Todd, a pioneer in the development of "living machines" to ecologically treat industrial and assist us in pur survey. This will include a the stonnwater program reviews and the • Jennifer Zielinski at the Center for from urban areas. morning training session, followed by one retrofit survey. municipal wastewater, added that design for the new century should be instructed by the processes Watershed Protection, 410-461-8323 or • Pollution prevention: to two days in the field conducting the that nature has evolved and tested over millions of years. These natural systems have a few basic [email protected]. CWP is a nonprofit Operation and maintenance survey. This will give participants an Part 2 organization dedicated to fmding new, principles, including the ability to self-organize, self-design, self-repair, and use radiant energy from practices, such as street understanding of how to conduct a Backyard retrofit survey cooperative ways of protecting and the sun. They are ecologically complex but engineeringly simple. Applied to human needs, they can stormwater retrofit survey so they will be sweeping, that prevent and community educ'ation restoring watersheds. Its principal functions be the-workhorses of a new society that -exist in harmony with nature. able to study other areas of the watershed Target audience - homeowners and other are conducting independent research and pollutants from entering the The above photo shows such a living machine at work to maintam the ecological balance of a in the future citizens providing technical support to local storm drain - syste~. Management notebook: Based on our This part of the project will examine govenunents and watershed management - Watershed education lake in Hudson. Called an Ekoraft, it is a floating system that uses three processes to keep water clear knowledge of the tools and programs that what homeowners can do in their own professionals around the country. The and outreach: Programs to 'and reduce pond sediments - surface and subsurface aeration to add oxygen, biofiltration have·been successfully implemented in backyards to control nonpoint source center has provided technical assistance to educate citizens and compartments with plants and beneficial bacteria to metabolize nutrients (thus making those nutrients other urban watersheds and the pollution and stomiwater runoff. We will local govenunents in 30 states and the -businesses about bow their wlavailable for algae blooms), and _continuous-delivery of a natural algaecide. The raft is constructed characteristics of the Doan Brook identifY the priority "backyard" controls District of Colwnbia. It is located in . behavior impacts urban watershed, we will prepare a watershed and of local recycled plastic lumber and floats a photovoltaic panel and air ptunp. (such as discormection of downspouts, Ellicott City, Maryland. streams. stormwater management tools notebook. reducing volume of,runoffthrough • Betsy Yingling at the Northeast Ohio Ekorafts are designed by CW Waterworks in Cleveland Heights. For more infonnation, call 216- This reference, geared towards local infiltration, bacteria and nutrient control, Regional Sewer District, 216-875-8802. 932-8259.

14 EeoCiTy ClEVElANd 0 OctoberINovember 1999 EeoCi!), ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 15 ESH AIR NOTES FROM THE FOODSHED Ohio EPA: Reluctant air quality enforcer? Cleveland's Bureau of Air Pollution Control has been under the gun for mismanagement of$e air quality monitoring and pemritting program in Cuyahoga County. But some air quality actIvists say the real source of problems is the Ohio Envirornnental Protection Agency, which delegates local air pollution authority to the city. The following comes from GleIm Landers, a Cleveland-area staff member of Is it enough to the Sierra Club"Great Lakes Prognim. In Citizens recommend reforms recent years, Landers ha"s monitored air pollution permits in Ohio. buy organic? at Cleveland Bureau Qf Air Pollution Control • The Ohio EPA has consistently opposed By red Bart/ell fanner who grew it, and MUCH MUCH better for the environment Fall,owing an in-depU: study of Cleveland's Bureau of Air Pollution Control, a coalition of efforts to'strengthen environmenfal­ enVlfonmental and neIghborhood groups recently unveiled a reform agenda aimed at One of the predictable signs of "success" in a new industry is when in which all this transpired. Because the mark~t share was too small protection ~or the air we breathe.. aespite one encounters the competition using ginunicks designed to ~or .co~orate ~gric~lture to pay it any attention there was every restoring pU,hlic confidence in the troubled agency. Among the reconunendations: the fact that hundreds of citizens of Ohio r~capture some lost market share. This happened to us here at . md~cahon of It~ bemg a positive step in cleaning up the local • Appamt the Industrial Air Pollution Advisory Conunittee. die each year fOrIn respiratory illnesses Sl iver Creek Fann when we tried to sell a product to one of our agncult~re enVlrornnent as well as well as proviqing for the • Provide an ombudsperson at the Bureau of Air Pollution ControL aggravated by air pollution. When the U.S. regular wholesale customers. The produce buyer told us that if he . productive use ofmralland. • Create a City o~ Cleveland ,Bureau of Air Pollution Control web page. EPA proposed tougher health-based air bought from us then his Midwest distributor would raise the price But ~at was then and this is now. Corporate agriCUlture has • De.v~lop educatIOnal matenals and programs for the public. standards for smog and soot a few years on other items he could not get locally. caught wmd of a good thing. It is now no big surprise to walk into • UtilIZe computer mapping to identify and target pollution "hot spots." ago, tl,e Ohio EPA relentlessly opposed . ~ore and more local, organic producers are being subjected to a supermarket. and be able to buy a pound of certified, organic • Reduce th~ rate to copy public records or allow for other methods of attairunent. theo,using the same lame arguments made thiS kmd of tactic in an effort to squeeze tpem olit of the market. carrots. As a consumer you win bf:!cause of the added availability of ~ Pursue an Increase in Ohio EPA budget for needed resources, such as additional by the polluters themselves. When U.S. Most do not even know it is happening. They know only that they organic food. qualIfied personnel. . ' EPA ordered Ohio EPA to requireIDodem called, gave their pitch, and were turned down. But there is a loser. The cost of this added convenience is a In recent months, th~ coal~tion of groups, organized as the Cuyahoga Clean Air Council pollution controls for nitrogen oxides . S~ce we are· in the business of selling organic produce, we give break in the connection between organic' products and local farms. (CCAC), bas been working With the City to begin implementing these recommendations. emissions from dirty', old coal-burning . thiS kmd of event a lot of thought. It occurred to me, If Y0j.l buy organic food produced outside of our City officials have already agreed on a timetable for some of the refonns. power plants, Ohio EPA declared it would 1'"------however, that other people did not. In these days of If you buy "foodshed," the loser is the local rural environment In addition, the CCA~ is m.onitoring the city's ~fforts to meet the technical requirements ignore the limits required by the federal NAFTA, GATT, and a world economy, should and economy. Mr. Jones who fanns in Portage ofth~ state ~~ federal air qualIty au~orities who have delegated responsibility for air government-and set up its own less anyone care about buying local produce? organic food County on 100 acres is. the one who lost that sale quaiJty per:mttmg and enforcement to the Cleveland Bureau of Air Pollution Control. The stringent standards. Let me set the stage by "inventing" some local prod uced outside of carrot~ to a 5,000-acre farm in California or CCAC beheves that the City of Cleveland should retain permitting authority for Cuyahoga Ohio EPA's advocacy on behalf of history. Once upon a time there were some famler~ Mexico. After enough of these losses he is going to County, c~nsldenng that the maJonty of arr pollutIOn sources are within the city limits. polluters does not stop at just the broad and consumers in Ohio who worried about the of ou r food shed," have to look realistically at that offer the developer However, If the ~leveland Depa.~ent of Public Health and BAPC are unable or unwilling . policy issues. It can be seen every day in production practices promoted by the land grant keeps making him. . to make needed unprovements, It IS the CCAC's position that the.pennitting authority the ma:nagementofits own per:p1itting the loser is the colleges of agriculture. They worried that the ever ~at was 100 acres of woods, pasture. crops should ?e gra?te~ to another agency or department. The city has been under state and program. Ohio EPA routinely issues air increasing use of toxic amendments that were being local rural and arumals both domestic and wild, is at risk of federa llllveshg~tlOn for TI?anagement problems in the. air quality program. pollution permits that fajl to meet the reconunended were, in the long run, going to environment and becoming cul-de-sacs of Ryan homes. What was . The CCAC IS composed of concerned Cuyahoga County and City of Cleveland minimal standarda set by the Clean Air ~eslden~s, commun~ty gro~p~, and envirorunental and health organizations dedicated to seriously damage both the envirorunent and public productive agricultural land that contributed about Act Worse yet, Ohio EPA is preparing fo health. $1.30 in taxes for every $1.00 it cost in services Improvl~g the qualIty of arr mlocal neigh~or~oods. The study process was staffed by the economy, weaken federal enforcement authority for So these fanners began to experiment with W"ill now be a subdivision that will cost about C l ea~ Air Conserva.ncy, a nonprofit orgamzatIon that specializes in air quality issues. air pollution in OhiQ by removing. from the growing food the old fashioned way (i.e., organically) without the' $1.75 for every $1.00 paid in. It is ironic but true Fund~ng for ~e project came from The Cleveland Foundation. EcoCity Cleveland provided federally enforceable section of permits use of thes~ questionable amendments. What developed until the that the sus~ined, indiscriminate purchase of seasonal, organic techmcal aSSistance. the state requirement that a polluter use late 1970s was a rebellious, underground agriculture. If a consumer products wIll speed up the degradation of the remaining rural areas . The ~ext ste~ in the 'p~oject is. a public education effort to help citizens defend their the best available technology to control wanted to buy food grown without pesticides then he or she needed in Northeast Ohio. mterests III the arr penmttlllg process . .For more infonnation, contact the Clean Air new sources of emissions. to fllld a local farmer whom they could trust to do so. Food co-ops As a consumer you need to recognize that your food dollar is a Conse,:,ancy ~t 2.16-932-8999 or see www.cleanairconservancy.org. Additional infonnation l{one of this means that tile Cleveland about arr quality Issues can be found at www.cleanair.net. sprang up for those who wanted this kind of food but who were potent implement for social change. You have the right to use it in Bureau of Air Pollution Control should be unable to grow it themselves or find a producer. any way that suits you. But you and your children will live with the let off dIe hook. The local air authority has B~cause of~e disinterest .of large, conventional agriculture, consequences of those choices. City to name air pollution committee done an abysmal job, and it must be orgamc productlOD grew up as a purely local phenomenon. The . Potatoes, .carrots and beef are not merely components of a stew Prom~ted by ~itizens and ~nvirornnen~l group~, the C~ty of Clevelar;d will appoint an Air reformed. But we should keep in mind the only way in which a consumer could be sure of getting the kind of that c'an nounsh your body. They are each products of a system PollutIOn AdVISOry Comnuttee ~o proVide pubbc oversight of city's air pollution old adage that the apple doesn'tfall far food he wanted was to look into the eyes of Fanner Jones and that may disturb or soothe your souL enforcement programs. The ordmance establishing the committee was passed 20 years ago from the tree. The Cleveland bureau but the committee was never convened. ' decide that he was telling the truth. Although it was a very Choose wisely. 0 ~erives . its authority from Ohio EPA, and infonnal and imperfect system it held the promise of a wide variety P.ersons interested in serving on the committee should send resumes or letters of interest with the message that agency ha-s been Ted Barlleft and his wife Molly run Silver Creek Farm, an organic of very real benefits. For example, healthier, cleaner food was to Mllan Polacek, Mayor's Office, City Hall Room 227, 601 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland OH sending, it's nd wonder there is a problem faml ~ear Hiram. Until his recent retirement, he also was a professor much better for the consumer who ate it, MUCH better for the ofphilosophy at Cleveland State Universify. 44114. Mayor Michael White recently agreed to make the appointments by May I, 2000. in Cleveland. EeoChy ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 16 EeoChy ClEVElANd 0 October/November 1999 17 ECOCITY DIGEST ECOCITY DIGEST Township tax revolt Ohio provides little General Transitions Fund revenue for state Job openings could l

December 14 at the Geauga Metroparks Swine C~eek Valley National Recreation Area, meeting January 27 February 1.0 Transit-Oriented Design brown-bag lunch Reservation. Call440-285-2222, ext. 5420. at Red Lock Trailhead off Highlarid Road Cuyahoga County Green Space Cuyahoga County Green Space We're hiring! meeting organized by RTA, noon at the at 8:30 a.m. Working Group meeting, 8:30 a.m. Working Group meeting, 8:30 a.m. office of the Catholic Commission on December 21 at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer EcoCity Cleveland seeks Comrriunity Action, 1031 Superior Ave. Population/environment cOlnrnittee January 13 District, 4747 E. 49th st. For more District, 4747 E. 49th St. For more Assistant project manager Call216-566-5157. meeting of the Northeast Ohio Sierra Club, Cuyahoga County Green Space Working information, call216-443-3700. information, call 216-443-3700. 7:30 p.m. For location, call 216-229-2413. Group meeting, 8:30 a.m. at the Northeast EcoCity Cleveland is the leading citizens' organization in Northeast Ohio pn)moting smart December 15 Ohio Regional Sewer District, 4747 E. 49th January 27 February 10 December 26 growth and sustainable development. We are seeking Monthly public program of the Northeast S1. For more infonnation, call 216-443- Meeting of the Cuyahoga River Talk by Ohio Canal Corridor I-like through the rugged hemlock ravine of a full-time assistant project manager to complement Ohio Sierra Club, 7:30 p.m. at the Nature 3700. Remedial Action Plan Coordinating director Tim Donovan about planning Stebbins Gulch in the Holden Arboretum, our current staff of two. Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Committee. Call 216-241-2414 for for the Ohio & Erie Canal National I p.m. (also on January 23 and February TIle new staff person will assj~t in the production Blvd. in Shaker Heights. January 19 time and location. Heritage Corridor, 7 p.m. at the . 26). For reservations, call440-946-4400. ofEcoCity Cleveland's award-winningjoumal,"assist "Redesigning Cleveland" speaker series Cleveland Metroparks Canal advocacy campaigns, coordinate membersrnp December 17 with Bill Browning and John Clarl<, January 29 Reservation. December 31 development and publication sales, and provide Winter solstice concert and experts in green building design, 5 :30 p.m. Family Winterfest in the Cuyahoga New Year's Eve lighting ceremony and project management support for one or more of our fIre, 7 p.m. at the Cleveland at the Cleveland Public Library Louis Valley National Recreation area, to a. February 12 hike, 6-8 p.m. at the c;Ieveland Metroparks exciting projects (such as the Cleveland EcoVillage, Metroparks'Look About Lodge. Stokes ·Wing Auditorium. For more m. to noon at the Happy Days Visitor Hike to the White Pine Bog, a Nature For reservations, call 440-247- North Chagrin Nature Center. Citizens' Bioregional·Plan, and Ohio Smart Growth information, call 216-732-3385. Center on SR 303. Conservancy preserve n~ar Burton Agenda). 7075. and the rarest foresf in Ohio, 2 p.m. January 4 The ideal candidate would have the following January 22 February 1 For reservations, call Holden December 19 Brown bag lunch discussion of ecological experienceanrl skills - exceBent written and.oral Forum on the YeHow Creek stream Monthly Arboretum at 440-946-4400. Christmas bird count of the Greater N

Ohio central business districts and edge cities Researchers with the Ohio Urban University Program have identified 16 "edge cities" around the state's major metropolitan areas. Following the defmition popularized by Joel Garreau's book, Edge City, these are newly deyeloped areas outside of central business districts that have large amounts of office and retail space and that are perceived to be defmable places. The researchers also found that the edge cities were not independent of their older, central cities. Rather the economic specialization of central business·districts makes them indispensable to edge cities. For more information, contact Richard Bingham at Cleveland State Legend University, 216-687-2360 . . • C.entral Businells Dilltrict II Edge City Iiiil CitY.D tbe Edge ---County Borden ---Intentatel

Map prepllred by the Northern Ohio Data &. [nformation Service. Urban Center, CJeveJand State University, 1997 ~~~~~~~~~~~~======~~~ r -= - -- ~. ------: , ~_ ~ . = ~," EcoCity Cleveland NON-PROFIT ORG.

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