Resource Manual | Conservation Development Video | Case Studies in Family Land Conservation

Achieving a good balance of Conservation and Development requires us to plan ahead, and become more educated about our environment and development. The Resource Manual provides the information developers and communities need to design better development projects, make better decisions and work together for a better quality of life for all of us.

The core of the Resource Manual binder is the Model Regulations, which provides models for implementing Conservation Development regulations at the township, municipal and county levels.

You will also learn about: the components of rural character in Northeast Ohio; strategies for density calculation in conservation zoning regulations; key components of an open space plan; quality design of open space, trail systems, and riparian buffer areas; and much more.

The Conservation Development Resource Manual is available in hard copy from the Western Reserve Resource Conservation Development Council per the order form icon. You may also download a pdf of the manual below. This project was completed with support from the Cleveland Foundation, the GAR Foundation, and the George Gund Foundation.

• Resource Manual - Main text pdf
• Resource Manual - Supplement "Balancing Conservation and Development in Northeast Ohio" pdf
• Resource Manual - Appendices pdf

The cost of the Resource Manual is only $30.00 (inc. tax, S+H). To order this invaluable resource, click the icon to the left, or call us at the number at left, or e-mail k.date@csuohio.edu.

In 2000, a video was developed which interviewed key stakeholders in Conservation Development in the Northeast Ohio region, including developers, township and municipality officials, attorneys and planners. It is currently only available in VHS from the Western Reserve RC&D Council via clicking the icon. We are working on obtaining a DVD version.

A more current video in digital form is available through the Ohio Balanced Growth web site at this link: http://www.balancedgrowth.ohio.gov/BestLocalLandUsePractices/Video.aspx. This is also available in DVD form through the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.

This small book summarizes a project completed in 2005, involving the development of alternatives for twelve families in Northeast Ohio who were evaluating options for the future of family lands. The sites ranged from suburban to rural, and from 50 to 300 acres. Scenarios were developed for each family that included 100% conservation, 100% development, and two or three that balanced the two. Economic benefits of each were compared, along with logistical and other issues of interest to the family. Family identities were protected. This project was completed with support from the Cleveland Foundation and the George Gund Foundation. Download a pdf here.

The Best Local Land Use Practices document outlines recommendation local government land use and planning practices for a range of subjects related to Balanced Growth. Subjects addressed include comprehensive planning, compact development, conservation development, stream and wetland protection, woodland protection, source water protection, agricultural preservation, transfer of development rights, brownfields, and more. The recommendations are accompanied by model and example regulations. For more information, see the Ohio Balanced Growth web site, http://balancedgrowth.ohio.gov