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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 Mantua Village floodplain is shown on Map 9, Special Flood Hazard Areas. These
areas primarily surround the Cuyahoga River, 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 Portage
County 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.
Prepared by: Portage County Regional Planning Commission – 2008
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MAP 9
Prepared by: Portage County Regional Planning Commission – 2008
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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 Cuyahoga River 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.
Prepared by: Portage County Regional Planning Commission – 2008
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MAP 10
Prepared by: Portage County Regional Planning Commission – 2008
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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 Cuyahoga River 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 Cuyahoga River 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 Cuyahoga
River. 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. Mantua Village 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 Mantua Village 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: Portage County Regional Planning Commission – 2008
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MAP 11
Prepared by: Portage County Regional Planning Commission – 2008
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MAP 12
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Prepared by: Portage County Regional Planning Commission – 2008