JJeeffffeerrssoonn CCoouunnttyy,, OOhhiioo LLaanndd UUssee PPllaann OOccttoobbeerr,, 22001133 Prepared for Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission By Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program c/o WSOS CAC Inc., P.O. BBox 590, Fremont, OH 43420 wwww.ohiorcap.orgww.ohiorcap.org JJeeffffeerrssoonn CCoouunnttyy LLaanndd UUssee PPllaann October 2013 Jefferson County Board of Commissioners • David Maple • Thomas G. Gentile • Dr. Thomas E. Graham Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission • Terry Bell, President • Domenick Mucci, Director • Richard Fender, Planner • Betty Lou Tarr, Administrative Assistant Prepared by: Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program This project funded by a Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grant from USDA Rural Development. TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteennttss Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Demographics and the Local Economy 7 Chapter 3: Natural Features and Agricultural Preservation 25 Chapter 4: Transportation 49 Chapter 5: Utilities 77 Chapter 6: Housing 89 Chapter 7: Public Facilities and Institutions 105 Chapter 8: Economic Development 123 Chapter 9: Land Use 157 Maps 1: Regional Context Map of Jefferson County 2: Jefferson County Air Photo 3: Jurisdictions of Jefferson County 4: Jefferson County Utica Well Permit Locations 5: Abandoned underground mines in Jefferson County 6: Surface Mined Areas of Jefferson County 7: Jefferson County Steep Slopes 8: Prime Soils of Jefferson County 9: Hydric Soils of Jefferson County 10: Floodplains of Jefferson County 11: Principal Watersheds of Jefferson County 12: Aquifers of Jefferson County 13: Groundwater Pollution Potential 14: Jefferson County Forested Areas 15: Natural heritage Data 16: Roadways by Jurisdiction 17: Roadways by Functional Class 18: Jefferson County Trails and Greenways Plan 19: Airports and Operational barge Ports of Jefferson County 20: Rail Lines of Jefferson County 21: Water Lines of Jefferson County 22: Pipelines of Jefferson County 23: Police Stations of Jefferson County 24: School Districts of Jefferson County 25: Fire Stations of Jefferson County 26: Land Uses of Jefferson County 27: County Brownfield Program Sites 28: Potential Development Sites Jefferson County Land Use Plan 2013 1: Introduction 11 Introduction Jefferson County is an amalgamation of many forces and factors. The impact of a largely abandoned steel industry is being tempered somewhat by the promise of natural gas exploration and extraction. The urban character of the City of Steubenville is balanced by the extremely rural nature of the County’s outward regions to the north, south, and west. Development patterns have carved business corridors from Steubenville westward into Wintersville and beyond, aided by improvements to U.S. Route 22, and along the Ohio River valley via State Route 7, commensurate with a rich history of steel and energy production. Other portions of the County retain an agrarian character, with a local interest in the preservation of their prime farmland and natural resources. In 2010, officials from the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission expressed an interest in developing a new land use plan for the County. Within the next year, a funding opportunity was identified by the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program (Ohio RCAP) to develop such a plan. The funding source was the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Work was initiated in 2011, and the Planning Commission appointed a Core Committee to oversee the planning process and plan content. The Committee met over the course of the approximately two‐year planning process to provide input from a variety of disciplines, review completed work, and offer input regarding the plan and the process. In addition to the committee, planning staff from Ohio RCAP interviewed over thirty individuals who represented a broad variety of public and private interests. 1 Jefferson County Land Use Plan 2013 1: Introduction The Core Committee included the following individuals: Ed Looman Progress Alliance (succeeded by Port Authority members) Donna Hrezo Jefferson County Port Authority Kim Cline Jefferson County Port Authority Dave Maple Jefferson County Commissioner Brandon Andresen Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District Joy Howell Jefferson County Education Service Center Terry Bell Jefferson County Township Association Jim Branagan Jefferson County Engineer John Brown Brooke Hancock Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission Domenick Mucci Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission Rich Fender Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission Bruce Misselwitz Jefferson County Health District Chris Petrossi City of Steubenville, Planning and Development Shannon Gosbin Jefferson County Water and Sewer District Joe Boni Jefferson County Data Processing Department Michele Specht Jefferson County Farm Bureau John Parker Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency Tom Hartwig Malcolm Pirnie Water Division of ARCADIS Background: The Jefferson County Community Investment Plan An over‐arching plan for Jefferson County, the “Community Investment Plan – A Partnership for Growth” ‐ was developed in 2008, prepared by an appointed fifteen‐member Jefferson County Advisory Group of public and private agencies and local businesses. The overall vision of the Plan is expressed as follows: “Jefferson County, Ohio, will be the center of a prosperous, attractive region flourishing together to provide an enviable living and working environment, quality education, vibrant communities, a thriving economy, with diverse recreational and cultural opportunities.” The general purpose of the plan was “to identify a practical and up‐to‐date vision with strategies designed to help Jefferson County move into the future. The resulting document sets forth key strategies to improve and enhance quality of life, infrastructure, and workforce and economic growth for the entire County. The primary aim of the Plan is to “help all communities in the County – cities, towns, and rural areas – to build on their rich assets, capitalize on opportunities, and address current and projected needs” – a county‐wide vision and framework for change and growth. Because its scope is so close to that of this land use plan, and because it has covered many of the topics of interest often discussed in a comprehensive plan, the intended outcomes and related short‐ and long‐ term strategies are summarized on the table beginning on the next page: 2 Jefferson County Land Use Plan 2013 1: Introduction Goal Area 1: Enhance the Quality of Community and Family Life Outcome 1: Retain and S1: Create a diverse program of internships and/or apprenticeships Attract Young People. S2: Web‐based entertainment guide that includes surrounding counties, states Retaining and attracting a L1: Atmosphere of support for entrepreneurship through small business stronger youth cohort would opportunities, trainings, incentives, and mentoring programs L2: Structured county‐wide communications program to build community reverberate positively empowerment and pride, favorable public relations, and positive perception of throughout the regional the county. (Chamber could lead the effort) economy. L3: Increased commuter access to the Pittsburgh employment market through transportation enhancements such as the ride‐share program. Outcome 2: Enhance Living S1: enhance volunteer and mentoring jobs and opportunities. Options for Retirees and S2: Educational institutions create specialized retiree and senior‐specific Active Seniors – Retention programs and Attraction S3: Build/organize affordable recreation facilities/activities for retirees and active seniors. (cultural events, golf) Maintain ability to stay in L1: Additional condominiums with amenities for retirees and active seniors their home towns and L2: Neighborhood community centers to provide for multi‐dimensional needs of transition to age‐appropriate the retired and active senior population (example: wellness center, daycare, facilities with grace. nutrition program, social programming) L3: Expand local transit locations L4: Implement a retiree and active senior‐friendly traffic sign initiative. Outcome 3: Improve the S1: Incentives in the workplace and community for healthier lifestyles smoking Overall Health of Jefferson cessation, weight loss incentive programs) County Citizens. Central to a S2: Support and enhance effort of Jefferson County’s recognized programs in better quality of community family services, jobs and medical assistance. L1: Create bike/walking/running trails linking communities life is the improved health of L2: Effective drug intervention programs all County citizens. L3: Neighborhood community centers providing for diverse needs of population (wellness center, daycare, nutrition program, social programming) L4: Partner with state programs (Ohio Green Communities) to provide information and incentives to make environmentally sustainable, healthier, affordable housing L5: increase law enforcement and fire safety services throughout the County Outcome 4: Improve S1: Enhance after‐school programs Educational Resources. L1: Conduct a study to maximize the use of existing Jefferson County This will improve the overall educational resources quality of life for County L2: Encourage the concept of environmental management systems in Jefferson County schools, e.g. Green Schools Program residents, and also result in L3: Increase the percentage of