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MantuaVillage Comprehensive Plan
Development Constraints
CHAPTER 4 – EXISTING CONDITIONS
3.Development Constraints
Areas with physical and environmental limitations for development must be identified to avoid the destruction of important natural resources and plant and animal habitat, to minimize construction costs, to minimize potential losses of property, and to enhance those areas of cultural value to the community. Wetlands and hydric soils, discussed in the previous section, are identified as features that have development constraints. Additionally, floodplains, steep slopes and areas with potential for polluting ground water are other features that can limit the type and intensity of development.
A.Floodplains
Floods are common natural disasters that can occur with very little warning. They usually result from runoff caused by intense storms, rapidly melting snow, ice jams or other obstacles that block, restrict or alter the flow of surface water. When rivers, streams, creeks, and ditches overflow their banks in these circumstances, damage to property as well as threats to human and animal life are likely to occur.
Floodplains are areas that are flooded periodically by the lateral overflow of rivers. Formerly referred to as the 100-year floodplain and now designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas, areas that would be inundated by a flood having a 1-percent chance of occurring in any given year, are specially mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are regulated according to federal guidelines by local authorities in order to prevent flood damage or loss of life.
The MantuaVillage floodplain is shown on Map 9, Special Flood Hazard Areas. These areas primarily surround the CuyahogaRiver, but are mostly likely to occur south of the river. A high percentage of the area is in the Marsh Wetlands State Nature Preserve. The flood hazard area reaches an approximate width of 1/3 mile at some points. Floodway areas shown on the map are even more likely to be flooded during hard rain events or due to melting snow. New floodplain maps will be available at the end of 2008 for PortageCounty and will become the authorized maps for identifying regulated areas. The Portage County Chief Building Official has authority to enforce flood hazard area regulations.
Communities should strive to ensure that land development takes place outside of Special Flood Hazard Areas to prevent the destruction and losses associated with flooding. Removal of vegetation along the floodplain can alter the size and shape of the floodway and fringe, as well as the base flood elevation, increasing flood risks.
Communities can institute various policies and procedures to minimize losses due to flooding, such as adopting standards that exceed minimum floodplain regulations. In addition, communities can prohibit fill in floodplain areas and strictly regulate stream alterations.
B. Groundwater Pollution Potential
Groundwater is a valuable and highly vulnerable natural resource. Land use can have a significant impact on the water’s quality. For instance, aquifers that store and transmit groundwater can be contaminated by leaky storage tanks or malfunctioning septic systems. Various agricultural and lawn care chemicals washed away by rain can eventually infiltrate into the ground and can also lead to groundwater contamination.
In order to preserve and protect the quality of water resources, communities need to control the impacts associated with urbanization and non-point and point sources of pollution. Map 10, Mantua Village Wells & Groundwater Pollution Potential, shows the areas along the CuyahogaRiver and along its tributary near Canada Road are particularly susceptible to groundwater pollution. The higher the pollution potential index, the greater the susceptibility to ground water pollution. The buried valley indicated by stippled areas on Map 10 shows the location of an ancient stream valley now filled with glacial or unconsolidated sediment. Types and intensity of development in areas with high ground water pollution potential should be carefully considered. The wetland protection areas and the state nature preserves in the Village will help protect groundwater resources because the natural vegetation is maintained and development is excluded.
C.Steep Slopes
Development on steep slopes can be difficult, and in some instances, dangerous, due to the potential for erosion and the instability of soils. As the slope of the land increases, greater difficulties are encountered with developing a site. Typically areas with a percentage of the slope greater than 12% have development limitations. Slopes ranging from 18% to 25% should only be developed utilizing special construction design requirements for building stabilization and to control soil erosion. Development should be strongly discouraged in areas where the slopes are greater than 25%. Map 12, Critical Natural Areas, identifies the locations of slopes greater than 18%. Severe steep slopes in Mantua are located in proximity to the CuyahogaRiver in the northeastern part of the Village.
D. Natural Habitats and Endangered or Threatened Species
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources National Heritage Database provides information on the locations of natural habitats for endangered animal and plant species. These locations are shown on Map 11, Mantua Village State Listed Plants and Animals. The floodplain of the CuyahogaRiver provides an environment for unique plant species to thrive. A small sphagnum bog and purple oats plants are protected in the Charles Tummonds State Nature Preserve. A mixed shrub swamp is located in the Marsh Wetlands State Nature Preserve. A variety of invertebrate animals occupy the CuyahogaRiver. This database is not an exhaustive inventory of threatened or endangered species and is only updated on a voluntary basis as information becomes available. Individual site studies would be necessary to confirm the presence of other such plants or animals.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, a federally mandated program, protects endangered plants and animals. The Act ensures that areas containing endangered and threatened plants and animals are protected from encroachment that could result in destroying the fragile ecosystem that sustains their existence. MantuaVillage should implement land use policies that serve to preserve and protect these wildlife habitats.
E. Critical Natural Areas
Map 12, Critical Natural Areas, is an overlay of all the areas within MantuaVillage that are environmentally sensitive. Environmentally sensitive areas include floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, surface water resources, areas of high ground water pollution potential and areas with endangered species. These areas should be protected from the encroachment of intensive development and the impacts of existing development wherever possible. Development should be discouraged in many of these areas to minimize destruction of natural resources and potential damage to properties. The Village must balance the need for development with resource protection to maintain a healthy community.
Prepared by: PortageCounty Regional Planning Commission – 2008