Highlights of Council activities and
forum issues throughout its history include:
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Provided model sign regulations to local governments for
control of unsightly commercial development (1975).
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Advised NPS on alternate development plans in their preparation
of the first CVNRA General Management Plan (1976-77).
-
Supported legislation in the Congress to authorize federal
payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) to school districts as well
as local governments for properties acquired by NPS (1976).
Continue to monitor the PILOT Program to the present.
-
Reviewed and took positions on proposed CVNRA boundary adjustments
(1976-78).
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Regularly reviewed NPS land acquisition policies and practices
(1976-81).
-
Drafted and successfully supported legislation in
the Ohio General Assembly to authorize a retained interest
tax on the value of continued occupancy which owners choose
to retain on properties acquired by NPS (1977-78).
-
Worked with NPS in developing fire and emergency
service contracts to compensate local governments for provision
of such services within CVNRA (1976-80).
-
Conducted workshops with staff of county auditors
to develop a system of distributing PILOT and administering
the retained interest tax (1978-80).
-
Assisted in gaining concurrent jurisdiction to allow
enforcement of state and local laws by NPS Rangers within CVNRA
(1978).
-
Formed a task force to administer preparation by
a consultant of Sign Regulation in the Cuyahoga Valley (1979).
-
Organized and supported the Cuyahoga Valley Roundtable to
foster "working together" of area wide agencies and
organizations serving the area (1978-80).
-
Opposed the operation of a sanitary landfill in the
former quarry of the Hadite Plant in Independence (1977-83).
-
Prepared Land Development Guidelines for the Cuyahoga
Valley Communities presenting an overall concept for land development
in the area (1980-81).
-
Prepared Transportation Planning Guidelines for the
Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area which formed the basis
for the CVNRA Transportation Plan (1981-83).
-
Undertook a Fiscal Impact Study to determine net
effects of NPS land acquisition on the tax revenues and budgets
of local governments and school districts (1981-83).
-
Prepared Land Development Guidelines for the State
Route 8 Corridor recommending zoning controls along this commercial
border of CVNRA (1982-83).
-
Reviewed and provided comment on drafts of CVNRA Trails Plan
and CVNRA Sign Plan (1982-84).
-
Conducted study for re-zoning along Olde Eight Road (1982).
-
Provided input to CVNRA Land Protection Plan setting
policies and priorities for land acquisition (1983-85).
-
Prepared Land Development Guidelines for the Cuyahoga
Valley Entranceways recommending enhancements along the major
roadways entering CVNRA (1984-86).
-
Supported state legislation for regulation of brine
disposal from oil and gas wells (1984-87).
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On several occasions, urged federal financial support
for road improvements and maintenance within CVNRA, culminating
in adoption of NPS Road Improvements Program in 1991 (1979-91).
-
Took positions on implementation of Ohio's State
Issue 2 Infrastructure Program (1988-89).
-
Represented by Executive Director on Cuyahoga River
Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Coordinating Committee (1988-1997).
-
Formed a task force to oversee preparation by a consultant
of the Boston-Peninsula Fiscal Study (1990-92).
-
Conducted a workshop on storm water management for
local officials and prepared "A Model Ordinance for Local Storm
Water Management" in the Cuyahoga Valley communities (1993-94).
-
Formed and supported the Deer Management Task Force
which issued "Findings and Recommendations" in November 1996
and continues to monitor the situation (1993-present).
-
Represented by Executive Director on Ohio & Erie
Canal Scenic Byway Task Force (1993-present).
-
Formed and supported the Heritage Corridor Task Force
to explore the relationship of the Cuyahoga Valley communities
to the federally-designated Ohio & Erie Canal National
Heritage Corridor (1998).
-
Formed the Gypsy Moth Task Force to
examine and recommend short-and long-term measures for coping
with gypsy moth infestation in the Cuyahoga Valley (1999-present).
-
Conducted a workshop on West Nile Virus and community-based
response initiatives (2003).
