In the name of protecting water quality in Lake Erie and the state’s streams, the State of Ohio has developed a voluntary, incentive-based program for sustainable development.

Beautiful Lake Erie

It’s full of really good stuff, for example:

• Identify priority development and conservation areas.
• Offer incentives like density bonuses, streamlined review processes, and design flexibility for development in priority areas.
• Evaluate existing zoning codes, review processes, and regulations for disincentives to desirable development practices, and set policy for correcting the disincentives.
• Establish regulations that prohibit construction in the wetland and riparian setback area.
• Encourage compact neighborhood development, historic preservation and infill development.

Someone I trust recently told me that the way to approach regionalism is through the lens of water quality. He said economic and tax sharing appeals were failing.

It’s good to see the state of Ohio is cognizant of these issues.

Here’s more on the program from Green City Blue Lake.

-AS

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