Township Trustees in Ohio
Use and Knowledge of Rural Zoning

Research

Land use change in Ohio takes place predominantly at the township level. As such, Ohio's 3919 township trustees are faced with decisions related to land use on a regular basis. In townships where increased development pressure is perceived by trustees, is rural zoning being employed? If rural zoning is employed, to what extent is the zoning ordinance based upon a comprehensive land use plan? To what extent is their use of rural zoning affected by their political views, or their length of tenure or level of educational attainment? To what extent is their perception of development pressure affected by extent to which they participate in continuing education, training, or Extension educational programs focused on land use planning?

This session will describe the extent to which Ohio's townships have utilized rural zoning applications. The session will also look at how Ohio's townships manage land use change and to what extent rural zoning in Ohio is based upon a comprehensive land use plan. Further, the presence of a relationship between trustees' perceptions of development pressure to their use of rural zoning will be examined. Last, the presence of a relationship between trustees' perceptions of development pressure and their political views will also be explored.

A discussion will also be included focusing on how this information can be used to make Extension's educational programming with respect to land use planning more relevant to township-level land use decision makers.