Wayne County Ohio Government Web Site

WAYNE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT

An office of the Board of Wayne County Commissioners
Ann M. Obrecht * Scott Wiggam * Jim Carmichael

Planning Dept. Home | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes

The Planning Department is charged with the implementation of the Wayne County Comprehensive Plan, "Tomorrow Together". View "Tomorrow Together" here. The 2007 Comprehensive Plan Audit was completed and effective May16, 2007. View the 2007 Audit here (PDF).

The Wayne County Planning Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Subdivision Regulations (PDF) and Floodplain Resolution (PDF) for the unincorporated areas of Wayne County. Additional links are included to aid those interested. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has floodplain maps on line and enables searches by an address for the applicable floodplain map. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) provides information on both water and sewage treatment facilities. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) provides information on the communities with floodplain programs and the contact information / Regulations for waterways and wetlands as well as permit information for our area can be found at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website for the Huntington District Office.

See TRC Application TRC Application (DOC)

A web based underground mine locator is available on-line. The underground mine locator will identify any known abandoned underground mine by street address or by interactive map.

The Planning Department works with the Rural Enterprise Zone program for the unincorporated areas and the villages in the County. Compliance with the tax incentive agreements is reviewed annually. A list of current Wayne County tax incentive agreements is available at the State of Ohio web site. Questions about the program and the county policies should be directed to us at (330) 287-5420.

The Department works on a variety of projects at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners including Community Development Block Grants such as the Formula Allocation, Community Housing Improvement programs, and the Revolving Loan Fund. We are working with Rails-to-Trails of Wayne County on bike trail projects and with the County Airport Authority on Airport Improvement projects. Other projects include Scenic Byways for Wayne County, Agricultural Security Areas, the State of Ohio Agricultural Easement Protection program, and Ohio Public Works grant projects.

Please feel free to contact us at jfrost@wayneohio.org if you have questions or need additional information.

WAYNE COUNTY AIRPORT
The Wayne County Airport Master Plan as of August 2008 has been adopted. The previous plan was adopted in 1987. The update process included several public comment opportunities and was done with the assistance of a Technical Advisory Committee.

Please visit: http://www.woosterwaynecountyairport.com/ for more information about the county airport..

Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (A.E.P.P.)
In 2001, the Clean Ohio Fund was set up to preserve farmland and greenspace, develop recreational trails and clean up brownfield sites. $25 million of the $400 million is designated to farmland preservation. Through this program, landowners may apply to sell a permanent agricultural easement to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Grants are issued for up to 75 percent of the points-based appraised value of the farm's development rights. Payment caps have been set at $2000 an acre with a $500,000 maximum per farm.

Since the beginning of the program in 2001 six farms in Wayne County have been awarded grant money and therefore claiming the preserved farm status. The six farms are owned by: Jim and Deb Morris Farm in Clinton Township, Fred and Phyllis Cannon Farm in Plain Township, David and Karen Mann in Franklin Township, Ross and Vesta Landis in Baughman Township, Donald Kosier in Chippewa Township and James and Jerome Badger in Congress Township.

The 2008 round of funding is closed. 2008 is the last year of funding unless the Clean Ohio Fund is renewed. This bond issue will be on the November 2008 ballot.

Please contact the Planning Department at jfrost@wayneohio.org

Township Planning Assistance Grant (T.P.A.G.)
The Wayne County Planning Department, with support from The County Commissioners, has introduced an innovative Comprehensive Plan Assistance Program for the townships. We have committed Revolving Loan funds to the program and the township will have to contribute a 50% local match. The Wayne County Planning Department and the professional staff of Stantec Consulting Services will assist the awarded townships in completing a comprehensive plan. The townships must strive to obtain the following six goals:

Provide land use assistance to those needing it most.
Involvement of public in the process.
Provide a thorough and complete comprehensive plan.
Link goals and plan recommendations to zoning code update.
Commitment to implement other goals from plan.
Commitment to provide education to officials and the public.

A comprehensive plan will give townships the ability to achieve specific goals, guide growth and development, prepare for future issues, and most importantly preserve their local character.

The townships awarded a grant in the pilot round were: Baughman, Chippewa, Congress and Greene.

All of the townships involved are nearing the completion of their Land Use Plans. Public meetings will be held for the general public to view and comment on the proposed plans.

View the Plans here:

Please contact us with any questions at jfrost@wayneohio.org

Agricultural Security Area

Ohio's Agricultural Security Area (ASA) legislation permits one or more landowners to request from county commissioners and township trustees to enroll at least 500 acres of contiguous farmland in the unincorporated area of the county into an ASA for 10 years. ASA's are voluntary; locally controlled; incentive-based; and respect private property rights.

ASA's provide certain benefits to farmers, including protecting against non-farm development, assembling a critical mass of land to help keep farming viable, and providing a new local tax benefit for investment in new agricultural real property. They are not designed to stop development, but to protect farmland by creating special areas where agriculture is encouraged and protected.

On April 26, 2006 the Board of Commissioners adopted policies and procedures for Security Areas in Wayne County (PDF). The State of Ohio ASA application (PDF) is available for your use. Wayne County charges a $40 fee at the time of application submission.

Wayne County's first ASA was established on June 30, 2008 in Franklin Township. It consists of four landowners and is approximately 523 acres. View map here (PDF). Along with this ASA, is the State of Ohio's first tax exemption for an agricultural expansion within an ASA. For more details on the tax exemption, please contact Brian Gwin at the Wayne Economic Development Council (330) 264-2411.

Canaan Township also has an ASA application that has been approved by the Board of Wayne County Commissioners and is set for hearing by the Township Trustees in mid-August, 2008. This ASA is approximately 659 acres and is a partnership between four landowners. View map here (PDF).

Interested landowners please contact us at jfrost@wayneohio.org

Ohio Scenic Byways
An Ohio Byway is a road deserving special recognition because of its importance to the state. Whether scenic beauty, natural qualities, historic significance, cultural, recreational or archeological importance, these roads are important to Ohio. Wayne County submitted an application to the Ohio Department of Transportation in March of 2008. A formal decision has not been made. View the proposed Scenic Byway map here (PDF). To learn more about Scenic Byways across the State please visit: www.ohiobyways.com

Rails to Trails of Wayne County Countywide Trail Map
Please visit: http://waynecountytrails.org/ for more information about Rails to Trails of Wayne County.

Rails to Trails of Wayne County is a non-profit organization that has worked since 1995, to convert unused railroad and greenway corridors into multi-purpose, non-motorized public paths. Through public awareness, technical assistance, trail development at the local level, Wayne County Rails to Trails is striving for additional trail routes throughout Wayne County and connecting to the statewide network. The map shows the possibility of 75 miles of trail development throughout Wayne County. View the trail map here...

Currently, Wayne County Rails to Trails is in the process of land acquisition to start construction of the new 7-mile trail that will extend from Rittman to Creston. 2010 is the anticipated completion date.

Planning Department Contacts:

Betsy Sparr, Director
Email: bsparr@wayneohio.org

Lisa Johnson, Assistant Director
Email: ljohnson@wayneohio.org

Jenny Frost, Administrative Secretary
Email: jfrost@wayneohio.org

Wayne County Planning Department | 428 W. Liberty Street, Wooster, OH 44691
Tel: (330) 287-5420 | Fax: (330) 287-5425 | Email: jfrost@wayneohio.org


	WAYNE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT An office of the Board of Wayne County Commissioners Ann M. Obrecht * Scott Wiggam * Jim Carmichael Planning Dept. Home \| Meeting Agenda \| Meeting Minutes The Planning Department is charged with the implementation of the Wayne County Comprehensive Plan, "Tomorrow Together". View "Tomorrow Together" here. The 2007 Comprehensive Plan Audit was completed and effective May16, 2007. View the 2007 Audit here (PDF). The Wayne County Planning Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Subdivision Regulations (PDF) and Floodplain Resolution (PDF) for the unincorporated areas of Wayne County. Additional links are included to aid those interested. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has floodplain maps on line and enables searches by an address for the applicable floodplain map. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) provides information on both water and sewage treatment facilities. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) provides information on the communities with floodplain programs and the contact information / Regulations for waterways and wetlands as well as permit information for our area can be found at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website for the Huntington District Office. See TRC Application TRC Application (DOC) A web based underground mine locator is available on-line. The underground mine locator will identify any known abandoned underground mine by street address or by interactive map. The Planning Department works with the Rural Enterprise Zone program for the unincorporated areas and the villages in the County. Compliance with the tax incentive agreements is reviewed annually. A list of current Wayne County tax incentive agreements is available at the State of Ohio web site. Questions about the program and the county policies should be directed to us at (330) 287-5420. The Department works on a variety of projects at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners including Community Development Block Grants such as the Formula Allocation, Community Housing Improvement programs, and the Revolving Loan Fund. We are working with Rails-to-Trails of Wayne County on bike trail projects and with the County Airport Authority on Airport Improvement projects. Other projects include Scenic Byways for Wayne County, Agricultural Security Areas, the State of Ohio Agricultural Easement Protection program, and Ohio Public Works grant projects. Please feel free to contact us at jfrost@wayneohio.org if you have questions or need additional information. WAYNE COUNTY AIRPORT The Wayne County Airport Master Plan as of August 2008 has been adopted. The previous plan was adopted in 1987. The update process included several public comment opportunities and was done with the assistance of a Technical Advisory Committee. Please visit: http://www.woosterwaynecountyairport.com/ for more information about the county airport.. Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (A.E.P.P.) In 2001, the Clean Ohio Fund was set up to preserve farmland and greenspace, develop recreational trails and clean up brownfield sites. $25 million of the $400 million is designated to farmland preservation. Through this program, landowners may apply to sell a permanent agricultural easement to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Grants are issued for up to 75 percent of the points-based appraised value of the farm's development rights. Payment caps have been set at $2000 an acre with a $500,000 maximum per farm. Since the beginning of the program in 2001 six farms in Wayne County have been awarded grant money and therefore claiming the preserved farm status. The six farms are owned by: Jim and Deb Morris Farm in Clinton Township, Fred and Phyllis Cannon Farm in Plain Township, David and Karen Mann in Franklin Township, Ross and Vesta Landis in Baughman Township, Donald Kosier in Chippewa Township and James and Jerome Badger in Congress Township. The 2008 round of funding is closed. 2008 is the last year of funding unless the Clean Ohio Fund is renewed. This bond issue will be on the November 2008 ballot. Please contact the Planning Department at jfrost@wayneohio.org . Township Planning Assistance Grant (T.P.A.G.) The Wayne County Planning Department, with support from The County Commissioners, has introduced an innovative Comprehensive Plan Assistance Program for the townships. We have committed Revolving Loan funds to the program and the township will have to contribute a 50% local match. The Wayne County Planning Department and the professional staff of Stantec Consulting Services will assist the awarded townships in completing a comprehensive plan. The townships must strive to obtain the following six goals: Provide land use assistance to those needing it most. Involvement of public in the process. Provide a thorough and complete comprehensive plan. Link goals and plan recommendations to zoning code update. Commitment to implement other goals from plan. Commitment to provide education to officials and the public. A comprehensive plan will give townships the ability to achieve specific goals, guide growth and development, prepare for future issues, and most importantly preserve their local character. The townships awarded a grant in the pilot round were: Baughman, Chippewa, Congress and Greene. All of the townships involved are nearing the completion of their Land Use Plans. Public meetings will be held for the general public to view and comment on the proposed plans. View the Plans here: Baughman Township Final (PDF) [10MB] Chippewa Township Draft (PDF) [132MB] Congress Township Final (PDF) [14MB] Greene Township Draft (PDF) [7MB] Please contact us with any questions at jfrost@wayneohio.org . Agricultural Security Area Ohio's Agricultural Security Area (ASA) legislation permits one or more landowners to request from county commissioners and township trustees to enroll at least 500 acres of contiguous farmland in the unincorporated area of the county into an ASA for 10 years. ASA's are voluntary; locally controlled; incentive-based; and respect private property rights. ASA's provide certain benefits to farmers, including protecting against non-farm development, assembling a critical mass of land to help keep farming viable, and providing a new local tax benefit for investment in new agricultural real property. They are not designed to stop development, but to protect farmland by creating special areas where agriculture is encouraged and protected. On April 26, 2006 the Board of Commissioners adopted policies and procedures for Security Areas in Wayne County (PDF). The State of Ohio ASA application (PDF) is available for your use. Wayne County charges a $40 fee at the time of application submission. Wayne County's first ASA was established on June 30, 2008 in Franklin Township. It consists of four landowners and is approximately 523 acres. View map here (PDF). Along with this ASA, is the State of Ohio's first tax exemption for an agricultural expansion within an ASA. For more details on the tax exemption, please contact Brian Gwin at the Wayne Economic Development Council (330) 264-2411. Canaan Township also has an ASA application that has been approved by the Board of Wayne County Commissioners and is set for hearing by the Township Trustees in mid-August, 2008. This ASA is approximately 659 acres and is a partnership between four landowners. View map here (PDF). Interested landowners please contact us at jfrost@wayneohio.org Ohio Scenic Byways An Ohio Byway is a road deserving special recognition because of its importance to the state. Whether scenic beauty, natural qualities, historic significance, cultural, recreational or archeological importance, these roads are important to Ohio. Wayne County submitted an application to the Ohio Department of Transportation in March of 2008. A formal decision has not been made. View the proposed Scenic Byway map here (PDF). To learn more about Scenic Byways across the State please visit: www.ohiobyways.com Rails to Trails of Wayne County Countywide Trail Map Please visit: http://waynecountytrails.org/ for more information about Rails to Trails of Wayne County. Rails to Trails of Wayne County is a non-profit organization that has worked since 1995, to convert unused railroad and greenway corridors into multi-purpose, non-motorized public paths. Through public awareness, technical assistance, trail development at the local level, Wayne County Rails to Trails is striving for additional trail routes throughout Wayne County and connecting to the statewide network. The map shows the possibility of 75 miles of trail development throughout Wayne County. View the trail map here... Currently, Wayne County Rails to Trails is in the process of land acquisition to start construction of the new 7-mile trail that will extend from Rittman to Creston. 2010 is the anticipated completion date. Planning Department Contacts: Betsy Sparr, Director Email: bsparr@wayneohio.org Lisa Johnson, Assistant Director Email: ljohnson@wayneohio.org Jenny Frost, Administrative Secretary Email: jfrost@wayneohio.org Wayne County Planning Department \| 428 W. Liberty Street, Wooster, OH 44691 Tel: (330) 287-5420 \| Fax: (330) 287-5425 \| Email: jfrost@wayneohio.org