LAND USE 1976 - 1992
Analysis of land use changes in the study area is hindered by the lack of accurate historical information. Data on
land use and land cover is available only from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and from the
Ohio Capabilities Analysis Program (OCAP) for Cuyahoga and Medina Counties for the years 1976 and 1992. The
OCAP data includes the amount of land that can be categorized as one of the following:
agriculture
multi-family
public facilities |
meadow/grassland
commercial
utilities |
forest land
industrial
water/wetland |
single-family
parks
other |
For the purpose of the I-71 analysis, land within OCAP's agriculture, forest, water/wetland and "other" categories
was considered to be "undeveloped". Land designated by OCAP as single-family, multi-family, commercial,
industrial, parks, public facilities and utilities was considered to be developed.
In 1976, 72% of the land in the study area was undeveloped . From 1976 to 1992, 11,606 acres were developed,
including 3,184 acres of agricultural land. By 1992, undeveloped land comprised 65% of the total corridor area, while
developed land increased to 35% of the total corridor area (Graph 2-7).
Graph 2-7
Developed and Undeveloped Land, Corridor Area, 1976-1992
*For the purpose of this report, Cuyahoga County communities include
the cities of Middleburg Heights, North Royalton and Strongsville
and in Medina County, the communities of Brunswick and Medina and
the townships of Brunswick Hills, Hinckley, Medina, Sharon, Granger,
Guildford and Montville.
SOURCE: Ohio Capabilities Analysis Program (OCAP), Ohio Department
of Natural Resources.
In Cuyahoga County, 52% of the land in Middleburg Heights, North Royalton and Strongsville was
undeveloped in 1976. By 1992, the developed area increased by 9% to 61% of total community land area.
Collectively, the Medina County communities in the study area were
78% undeveloped in 1976. By 1992, OCAP data shows that developed area
increased by 6% to a total of 28%, while the undeveloped area decreased
to 72%.
Collectively, the Medina County communities in the study area, included:
Brunswick
Medina
Granger Township |
Brunswick Hills Township
Medina Township
Guilford Township |
Hinckley Township
Sharon Township
Montville Township |
Areas that developed from 1976 to 1992 are shown on Map 2-6. The areas shown in a cross-hatched, orange pattern
are the areas that changed from agriculture, forest or meadow grassland to become developed. The most significant
changes can be seen in Strongsville, North Royalton, Brunswick and Medina.
Augmenting OCAP 1992 land use / land cover data, the areas where residential subdivisions are planned or are
currently under construction are shown on Map 2-7.
Map 2-6
I-71 Corridor Areas of Development 1976-1992
Map 2-7
I-71 Corridor 1997 Subdivisions
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