Lake County Coastal Plan

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Beginning in 2001 the Lake County Planning Commission embarked on a regional planning initiative to promote the coastline of Lake Erie. Today, eight years later, the County and Coastal Plan Committee has a Coastal Development Plan encompassing $80 million in coastal improvements. This comprehensive plan details exciting public waterfront and landside development and preservation projects from Eastlake to Madison.

Mission

Promoting recreational and economic opportunities of the Lake County coast for present and future generations through funding and planning strategies in cooperation with the public and private sectors.

Goals

  • Initiate a planned development of coordinated community projects that complement each other and help fulfill our overall objective.
  • Provide frequent destination points for visitors of all ages and purposes.
  • Generate safe and secure locations for business to locate and serve markets from tourism to industrial and commercial development.
  • Create a "model" of redevelopment and new construction that will provide an excellent return for our county residents' investments -- and one that will endure for several generations creating a legacy for Lake County's future citizens.
  • Create opportunities for future private and public sector landside investment strategies by protecting the coast with best management practices.
  • Enhance the economic interface between public and private sectors.

Current Status

Community accepted plans exist at seven lakefront venues. Local go-forward implementation plans vary by community with some projects in the engineering/design phase. Other communities continue to alter plans based on local input. In 2008 the Lake County Port Authority helped secure $1.25 million from the state of Ohio to begin improvements on some of these projects.

Identified Coastal Resources

  • Chagrin River (offshore, breakfasters, island preservation, fishing pier)
  • Mentor-on-the-Lake/Mentor Beach Park (shoreline protection and park improvements)
  • Mentor Harbor (offshore harbor entrance protection)
  • Fairport Harbor (large scale marina)
  • Perry Township Park (erosion protection, improved lake access and boat launch improvements)
  • Townline and Stanton Parks (harbor of refuge, erosion protection and increased public lake/beach access)
  • Madison Township Park (improved boat launch and public beach)

For up-to-date information, visit the Lake County Planning Commissions website