DRAFT ROCKY RIVER MASTER PLAN POLICIES PUBLIC MEETING August 10, 2017 Cuyahoga County Planning Commission 2079 East 9th Street Suite 5-300 Cleveland, OH 44115 216.443.3700 www.CountyPlanning.us www.facebook.com/CountyPlanning www.twitter.com/CountyPlanning About County Planning The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission’s mission is to inform and provide services in support of the short and long term comprehensive planning, quality of life, environment, and economic develop- ment of Cuyahoga County and its cities, villages and townships. Planning Team Alison Ball, Planner PJ Ginty, Planning Intern Glenn Coyne, FAICP, Executive Director Olivia Helander, Planning Intern Patrick Hewitt, AICP, Senior Planner Charles Hogan, Planning Intern Nichole Laird, Planner Kayla Kellar, Planning Intern Dan Meaney, GISP, Manager, Information and Research Patrick McMahon, Planning Intern James Sonnhalter, Manager, Planning Services Amelia Visnauskas, Planning Intern Robin Watkins, Geographic Information Systems Specialist Date of Publication: August 10, 2017 Front Source: Flickr User k_e_lewis ROCKY RIVER MASTER PLAN POLICIES PUBLIC MEETING City of Rocky River Pamela E. Bobst, Mayor 21012 Hilliard Boulevard Rocky River, Ohio 44116 440.331.0600 www.RRCity.com 2016 City Council Members Thomas J. Hunt, President Pro tem, Ward 1 Councilmember David W. Furry, At-Large Councilmember James W. Moran, President, Ward 2 Councilmember Brian J. Sindelar, At-Large Councilmember Michael P. O’Donnell, Ward 3 Councilmember Christopher J. Klym, At-Large Councilmember John B. Shepherd, Ward 4 Councilmember Project Team Pam Bobst, Mayor Mary Kay Costello, Director of Public Safety Service Andy Bemer, Law Director Ray Reich, Building Commissioner Bill Bishop, Planning Commission Kate Straub, Secretary to Boards & Commissions Jill Brandt, Design and Construction Board of Review Christopher Wolf, Board of Zoning and Building Appeals Working Group Dan Bogre Gloria Hardington Ron Papajcik Bill Brink Liz Harmath Geof Pelaia Scott Cowan John Hosek Jim Riedl Jenny Dieringer Chris Klym Joe Roszak Mike Fruchey Liz Manning Mick Shoaf Sam Gifford Jamie Mason Anna-Katrin Strauss Jim Gross Gregg Mylett Jon Voight This page intentionally left blank. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �7 VISION THEMES � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �11 VISION STATEMENTS ..................................................................12 CORE PROJECTS � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �15 DEVELOPING CORE PROJECTS ..........................................................16 GOALS AND ACTIONS � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �41 DRAFT August 10, 2017 DRAFT August 10, 2017 7 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Policies document of the Rocky NEXT STEPS River Master Plan. This document is a key step in creating a sound, well-guided plan for the City’s After the Policies document, County Planning, future by outlining recommended strategies. the Project Team, and the Working Group will identify potential partners, funding sources, and priority levels for each goal outlined in WHAT’S INSIDE? this document to help the City carry out each vision. This Implementation document will also The Policies document contains four sections. describe the timeframe and estimated cost of The Introduction includes context maps, the each recommended action. Vision section outlines the vision statements from the first public meeting, the Project Concept section displays the largest conceptual undertakings from the plan, and the Goals and Actions section includes a series of overarching goals and actions that accomplish them. HOW DO I USE IT? The Policies document should be used to inform Rocky River officials, key decision makers, and the general public about future projects and best practices that support the community’s vision for the future. Source: County Planning 8 MAP 1 REGIONAL CONTEXT LEGEND Rocky River Other Communities Westshore Suburbs County Borders (Lakewood, Fairview Regional Park System Park, North Olmsted, Westlake, Bay Village) Lake County City of Cleveland 90 City of Rocky River Lake Erie 271 90 Cleveland 71 480 271 80 Summit County 480 Lorain County 80 77 71 The City of Rocky River (in blue on Map 1) is located in the western part of Cuyahoga County and abuts the Rocky River, Cleveland Metroparks, and Lake Erie. Rocky River borders the Cities of Lakewood, Fairview Park, Westlake, and Bay Village. DRAFT August 10, 2017 9 MAP 2 PLANNING CONTEXT Lake Erie D D WAGAR D akewod Ward 1 a a Ward 3 90 WOOSTER Rocky r 90 Ward 3 r ra WAGAR D HILLIARD BLVD Ward 4 Clead Westlae Ward 2 HILLIARD BLVD Farew Par WOOSTER Farew Par LEGEND Rocky River Major Roads City Wards Minor Roads Rocky River Reservation Railroads Parcels Community Boundaries Highways DRAFT August 10, 2017 DRAFT August 10, 2017 11 SECTION 2 VISION THEMES The Vision Themes cover a wide range of topics, HOW DO I USE IT? describing how a community and its residents would like to get around, where they would like The Vision Themes describe the desired to recreate, how they would like to interact with future for Rocky River. The themes underscore government, and what types of new investments conceptual projects and goals & actions later in they would like to see. this document. WHAT’S IN THIS SECTION? This section describes the type of future that residents and community leaders want. These visions are described in themes: broad descrip- tions of how the community would like to look and function in five to ten years. Source: County Planning 12 VISION STATEMENTS The 2017 Rocky River Master Plan asked residents for their feedback on updating the vision statements from the previous Master Plan. With public input, these vision statements were altered to reflect current issues and the changing nature of the City. The statements below underscore the issues of importance to residents and the values that are essential to River residents. AN ENHANCED DOWNTOWN RIVER — QUALITY HOUSING — MAINTAINING HIGH 1 IMPROVING THE TOWN CENTER 2 RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS Rocky River has a thriving town center in Homes in Rocky River are attractive and well- Downtown River. This vision is for an expansion maintained. This vision is for continuing those of Downtown’s vibrancy through new residential, standards by encouraging home upkeep and office, and retail uses that enhance a strong, maintenance to ensure neighborhoods remain walkable town center. strong long into the future. HOUSING DIVERSITY — ACCOMMODATING COMMERCIAL VIBRANCY — REINVESTING IN 3 A BROAD RANGE OF LIFESTYLES 4 BUSINESS DISTRICTS Housing diversity means having a range of Outside of the City’s Downtown, other business housing types such as traditional single-family districts range from new shopping centers to homes, accessible housing options, townhouses, older commercial stretches. This vision is for the or condominiums. This vision is for maintaining a upkeep and reinvestment of commercial shopping diversity of housing styles so all people—young districts. professionals, seniors, large families—can find the type of housing they desire in River. DRAFT August 10, 2017 13 PARKS & PUBLIC SPACE — ENHANCING PARKING SOLUTIONS — DEALING WITH THE 5 OUR QUALITY OF LIFE 6 AUTOMOBILE Rocky River’s public spaces range from formal Parking in Downtown River and in the City’s lakefront parks and the sprawling Rocky River business districts should not be a detriment Reservation to smaller neighborhood gathering to shopping in those areas. This vision is for spots. This vision is for enhancing existing parks adequate parking for residents and visitors and public spaces to ensure they are accessible without large parking lots that detract from the and have the features desired by residents. walkability of business districts. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS — CONNECTIVITY — CREATING A COHESIVE 7 CREATING GREAT STREETS 8 ENVIRONMENT Rocky River invests heavily in maintenance of Transportation via bicycle, walking, automobile, streets and infrastructure. This vision is for and transit are important to residents. This vision investments that are well-coordinated, advertised is for a coherent network of trails, sidewalks, and to residents, and include features such as roads that get residents around Rocky River and street trees, lighting, green features, and bike to surrounding communities and amenities safely infrastructure to maximize those investments. and comfortably. COMMUNITY IDENTITY — ENGAGEMENT — CONNECTING WITH 9 COMMUNICATING A SPIRIT OF ROCKY RIVER 10 EACH OTHER Rocky River has a strong sense of identity and Neighborhood engagement is an important way pride based on its business districts, quaint of fostering community. This vision is for improved neighborhoods, lakefront setting, and park access. communication between the City and residents, This vision is for a physical layout that includes as well as for events and spaces that encourage landscaping, gateway signs, and other features residents to connect with each other. that convey that strong sense of pride to others. DRAFT August 10, 2017 DRAFT August 10, 2017 15 SECTION 3 CORE PROJECTS The Core Projects section describes major phys- approving, and ultimately undertaking the ical improvements that are key components of construction of these projects. the Master