2006-126 Ordinance - Laserfiche WebLink

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s The Assignment The Crocker-Stearns connector, scheduled to begin construction in 2007, will link I-480 and I-90 on the west side. The impact of the connector will be significant in North Olmsted, where the increased width and traffic volume on Stearns Road will reduce the viability of the existing single-familq hoines that line the corridor, particularly between Lorain Road atld I- 480. Rather than allow the corridor to redevelop incrementally and haphazardly in response to the road widening, the Ciry of North Olmsted would like to develop a plan for this area which minimizes the negative impacts of the road widening on adjlcent housing areas and identifies a more appropriate range of uses for the properties that front direcdy onto Stearns Road. The intersection of Stearns Road and Lorain Avenue, d7e I-480 interchange, and potential connections into the Bradley Woods Reseroation are key Focus areas for this planning process. Design alternatives for softening the impact of the sound wall to be constructed along Stearns Road (north of Lorain Avenue) will also be part of the project. Project Organization Work on the project should be directed by a Steering Committee appointed by the C;iry of North Olmsted. The Committee would consist of 8 to 10 members including elected officials, key properry owners, and representatives of the business coinmunity, area institutions and neighborhood groups. The role of the Committee is to act as liaison between the UDC team and the community at large, provide information about the study area, review in-progress ideas and preliminary products and set direction on key issues and decisions that must be made during the process. Community-wide inputwill be solicited in a public workshop held in the second phase of the process and a cominunity meeting in the third phase, as outlined in the following detailed Work Program. Work Program The proposed Work Program is based on a three-phase process that proceeds from an analysis of existing conditions, to the definition of a shared vision for the corridor, to the detailing of a plan to achieve this vision. The most effective approach to reaching consensus on the future of the corridor is to ensure the active involvement of the community throughout the planning process. Our work program is organized around a public event, the Crocker-Stearns Cortidor Charrette (or design workshop) proposed in the second phase of the process. During this special event, the UDC team will work directly with the community and members of the Steering Committee to secure agreement on future directions for t11e corridor and preferred design concepts for specific areas within the corridor. The results of the charrette become the basis for preparation of the Crocker- Stearns Corridor Plan. The specific steps involved in each phase of the planning process are outlined below: Phase 1: TAKING STOCK 1.1 Krck-OffMeeting The project will begin with a kick-off ineeting with city officials and staff to introduce tlie members of the technical team, finalize the work program and schedule of the overall study, and share preliminary insights on the central objectives and key challenges of the corridor. This meeting will be an important opportunity to provide the UDC with basic backgxound information, including available mapping of the neighborhood, aerial photos, as-built plans of recent development projects, planning documents and project reports, recent market studies and any otlzer existing data relevant to a general assessment of the current status of the corridor. 2.