Seasons Road Interchange Connectivity Study

1.

Stow Hudson Cuyahoga Falls

Sponsor
Community/Agency Contact Person Phone Number Email Address Mailing Address City of Stow Rob Kurtz, Assistant Planning Director 330-689-2811 rkurtz@stow.oh.us 3760 Darrow Road, Stow, OH 44224

2. Project Co-Sponsors
Community/Agency Contact Person Phone Number Email Address Mailing Address Community/Agency Contact Person Phone Number Email Address Mailing Address City of Hudson Tom King, Planning Director 330-342-1790 tking@hudson.oh.us 27 East Main Street, Hudson, OH 44236 City of Cuyahoga Falls Fred Guerra, Planning Director 330-971-8135 guerrafr@cityofcf.com 2310 Second Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OHN 44221

3. Connecting Communities Planning Study

Planning Study Title Study for Enhancing Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation The study is anticipated to include the following tasks. 1. Inventory/review location of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 2. Identify existing and future employment nodes and other significant origins and destinations within the study area. 3. Determine infrastructure improvement required to provide more complete connectivity from origins to destinations. 4. Identify and prioritize projects to complete the infrastructure improvements determined in step 3. Determine costs, obstacles in completing the projects; identify potential funding sources for the identified projects.

Brief Description

Connecting Communities PLANNING GRANT

Page 1

Seasons Road Interchange Connectivity Study

Stow Hudson Cuyahoga Falls

Summary of Expected Final Product(s)

Report incorporating the results of the above, including the following: Map identifying existing and future land uses and proposed connectivity improvements (i.e. off- or on-road bike paths; multi-use trails; and sidewalks) Map identifying all the identified infrastructure projects Prioritized list of projects Description of each proposed infrastructure project, including project scope, logical termini, potential obstacles and planning level project costs.

4. Project Maps Located after page 5 in document Attached files: Map 1 Study Area.jpg & Map 2 Land Use.jpg

Connecting Communities PLANNING GRANT

Page 2

Seasons Road Interchange Connectivity Study

Stow Hudson Cuyahoga Falls

5. Planning Area; Existing Transportation Facilities; Problem Definition

The planning area for this study is focused on a 184-acre area around the SR 8/Seasons Road Interchange and extends into 3 different jurisdictions: Stow, Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls. The study will also consider an area within a 2-mile radius from the Seasons Road Interchange. In the immediate vicinity of the interchange, the dominant land use pattern is industrial and office uses. Extending out from this focus area, there are residential neighborhoods and commercial/retail areas along Steels Corners, Wyoga Lake and Akron-Cleveland Roads. The population within this 2 mile radius of the Seasons Road Interchange is 8,779 and there are a total of 3,807 housing units (a). There are a total 4,998 persons employed (16 years+) within this area and the following are the top 3 categories by industry: Manufacturing (16.7%); Health Care & Social Assistance (13.1%); and Accommodation & Food Service (10.3%) (b). The road network surrounding the interchange is vehicular focused with minimal pedestrian facilities. There are regional bicycle trails within the study area. Two sections of the MetroParks Bike & Hike Trail are within the study area. While some residential developments in Hudson have direct access to the trail, there are many residential areas that do not have convenient and safe access to the trails. Some of the problems that need to be analyzed in this study are: The current lack of pedestrian and bicycle connectivity from the residential neighborhoods to the regional bicycle trail system; The lack of bicycle and pedestrian connections from existing residential neighborhoods to existing employment centers; Future land use patterns consider a variety of transportation means specifically bicycle and pedestrian alternatives (i.e. trails, paths and sidewalks); and Future employment centers have connectivity to the regional trail system and residential neighborhoods.

(a) Source: ESRI Business Analyst (b) Source: ESRI Business Analyst (American Community Survey 2005-2009) Connecting Communities PLANNING GRANT Page 3

Seasons Road Interchange Connectivity Study

Stow Hudson Cuyahoga Falls

6. Purpose of Study; Expected Outcomes

This study will explore land use considerations along with connectivity issues in the context of a broader Master Plan Study to be conducted in conjunction with the Western Reserve Joint Economic Development Zone (JEDZ) that is currently being considered by the cities of Stow, Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls. This study will consider both land use and transportation issues and will be an integral part of the broader Master Plan referenced above.

7. Transportation Choices; Economic Competitiveness; Support of Existing Communities and Neighborhoods

a) Transportation Choices - Since the primary means of transportation in the study area is vehicular, the study will examine appropriate and feasible ways to incorporate pedestrian and bicycle alternatives. b) Economic Competitiveness Creating a medical/technology employment center that is both bicycle and pedestrian friendly will be unique and will be set apart from traditional suburban development. This may be more attractive to many health related businesses and other businesses that are more focused on the wellness of their employees given the long term health costs. c) Support of Existing Communities and Neighborhoods - Provide improved connectivity from existing residential neighborhoods to existing and future employment centers as well as the regional recreational trail system.

8. Public Involvement
All three cities have experience and routinely engage the public as part of various planning studies in their respective jurisdictions. In 2008/2009, Stow utilized paper/online surveys recently as well as public meetings as part of the Safe Routes to School program. In 2010/2011 Stow conducted town meetings and facilitated work sessions using community stakeholders in association with a Comprehensive Plan update. The City of Hudson conducted an update of its Comprehensive Plan in 2004 lead by a citizen committee and accompanied by public open houses and hearings. Currently, Hudson is using a community based group, Safe Routes Hudson, to set policy for active transportation improvements and increase mobility. Cuyahoga Falls is using Facebook, Twitter and Google Blogs to engage citizens in the Cuyahoga River Planning Area.

9. Implementation; Potential Funding Sources

The cities of Stow, Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls have already jointly applied for and have received State and Federal funding for various public infrastructure projects in anticipation of the development around the S.R. 8/Seasons Road interchange. Of the total of nearly $18.5 million invested in infrastructure improvements in this area since 2003, over $8 million has Connecting Communities PLANNING GRANT

Page 4

Seasons Road Interchange Connectivity Study

Stow Hudson Cuyahoga Falls

been funded through Federal and State financial assistance. Future potential funding sources may include: AMATS Transportation Enhancement Funds ODNR Recreational Trails/Clean Ohio Funds Ohio & Erie Canalway grants US EPA Assessment/Smart Growth grants Private developer matching funds and/or in-kind construction City funding [i.e. Hudson funding sidewalk installation and paying a larger local share on repaving projects so as to incorporate widened shoulders for non-motorized traveler safety]

Connecting Communities PLANNING GRANT

Page 5

Map 1 - Study Area

PENINSULA BOSTON HEIGHTS

HUDSON BOSTON TWP.

Proposed Joint Economic Development Zone (JEDZ)

2m

ile

CUYAHOGA FALLS

STOW

Existing Regional Bike & Hike Trails

Dedicated Walking Path Dedicated Bike / Hike Path On Road - No Bike Lane

SILVER LAKE

Map 2 - Generalized Land Use RO RD STREETSBO

BOSTON HEIGHTS
R TRU
EL AN D RD CL EV N

STREETS

STATE RTE 8

TRUXELL RD

HUDSON BOSTON TWP.

?
H SH FI FI C CR EE

WYOGA LAKE RD

RO

DARROW RD

MAIN ST

BORO ST

RTE 8 STATE RTE 8

AK

STATE RTE 8

CUYAHOGA FALLS
Generalized Land Use
Commercial Industrial Mixed-Use

STOW

STEELS CORNERS RD

STEELS CORNERS RD

STATE RD

DARROW RD

Open Space Residential

Existing Regional Bike & Hike Trails

SILVER LAKE

ST OW

Multi-Family Residential

RD

R LR X L XEL D

T TE S STA E RTE 8 8

K RD