“Partnering to Preserve Farmland in Hiram Township

With Transfer of Development Rights”

Project Summary

In 2003 Hiram Village, Township and Hiram College created a vision for their future through the Hiram 2020 Comprehensive Plan. Several primary goals are the preservation of a majority of the agricultural land base in the Township and to encourage sustainable economic growth of the Village. One key implementation strategy for both goals included the Township and Village cooperating to develop a Transfer of Development Rights program. General sending areas and receiving areas were established in the plan. Funding from the Center For Farmland Policy Innovation will allow these communities to determine the economic feasibility of implementing this strategy. Project components include: Developing more detailed sending and receiving area boundaries and updating the capacity assessment; conducting a TDR economic feasibility study including a market analysis, evaluation of alternative scenarios, and establishing appropriate transfer ratios; educational forums for the general public, public officials and developers; and development of policies and legislation to implement a TDR program. A Citizens Advisory Committee comprised of Township, Village and College officials, farmers, land owners in the Village, local developers, realtors, conservation organizations, business leaders and citizens will be formed at the beginning of the project to help guide and inform the process, provide advice at decision points, and help inform the public during and after the grant project. This project will help determine whether Transfer of Development Rights is a viable tool to protect farmland in the Township and stimulate growth in the Village and it will serve as a model for Ohio communities.

Project Leader

Lynne J. Erickson, AICP, Director

Portage County Regional Planning Commission

124 N. Prospect St.

Ravenna, OH 44266

330-297-3613 phone

330-297-3617 fax

lerickson@pcrpc.org