The City of Upper Arlington’s Master Plan is the principal guiding document for preserving and enhancing the community’s makeup and quality of life. A goal of the master plan is to:
Maintain and develop more sustainable, walkable and competitive Upper Arlington in the future through innovation, efficiency, wellness and environmental stewardship. A sustainable community is designed with the consideration of environmental, social and economic effects in mind, where the community is dedicated to reducing its consumption of energy, water and food, and minimizing the creation of waste, pollution and emissions.
Upper Arlington is committed to implementing sustainable, environmentally appropriate practices while following the regional sustainability agenda, with the goal of achieving zero-waste, zero-pollution and zero emissions by 2050.
MEET THE TEAM
- Jackie Thiel – Administrative Lead
- Andrés Antequera – Communications
- Justin Milan – Regional Liaison & Energy
- Katy Rees – Recycling & Waste Diversion
- Jeff Anderson – Park Development Projects & Operational Improvements
- Sam Simmons – Urban Forestry, Urban Tree Canopy & Landscaping
- Mike Hamer – Facilities Maintenance and Improvements
- Tracey Cesar – Operations
- Engineering – Stormwater, Sanitary Sewers, Water Quality
SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA
The Green Team Sustainability Agenda is the guiding document following the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s sustainability-focused programming. This details goals and measurable objectives to meet the environmental goals set by Upper Arlington City Council.
- Improve air quality and reduce climate change impacts to protect public health and the environment.
- Protect and preserve natural resources to support a healthy and resilient community.
- Improve the quality of life for all residents by creating sustainable and equitable communities.
- Promote robust, inclusive, and sustainable growth and development.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Upper Arlington is part of the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) that serves communities across Ohio with collective buying power to provide simple, valuable, and reliable public energy programs.
- The City of Upper Arlington received the Ohio EPA award for Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Communities and the Clean Energy Community Award from Power a Clean Future Ohio in 2024.
- Leader in Food Waste Collection Programs
- Upper Arlington was named a one-star Ohio Green Fleet community by Clean Fuels Ohio. The City currently operates both hybrid and electric vehicles.
- DC-Fast electric vehicle charging stations are available at the Municipal Services Center and the Public Services Center, and is a code requirement for larger parking lots.
- Upper Arlington is among the only communities in Central Ohio to allow rooftop solar panel installations on the front of residences and businesses (click for map of locations).
- All traffic signals, pedestrian walk signals, and most street lights are LED.
- Five shared mobility hubs for alternative transportation options are installed around Upper Arlington.
- Installation of solar panels on the Bob Crane Community Center to offset energy usage.
- First Gold-certified Solsmart community in Ohio, showcasing the City as a leader in solar panel process and deployment.
- Completed a studio project with The Ohio State University that examined the City’s emissions and energy use.
- Upper Arlington has been named a Tree City USA community every year since 1990 and continues to plant hundreds of new trees each year.
- All new commercial buildings built since 2007 have been eligible for LEED® certification.
Food Waste Collection Programs
The City of Upper Arlington is proud to offer one of the only municipal curbside food waste collection programs in Central Ohio. In addition, the City provides three convenient locations for food waste drop-off: Municipal Services Center, Amelita Mirolo Barn, and Fancyburg Park.
EV Charging Stations
The City of Upper Arlington offers EV charging stations at the Municipal Services Center and Public Service Center, supporting the City’s commitment to sustainability. These stations provide convenient charging options for residents and visitors while promoting the use of electric vehicles as part of the City’s broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and encourage eco-friendly transportation.
Solar Energy
The City of Upper Arlington is making strides toward a sustainable future at the Bob Crane Community Center with the addition of 400 solar panels. One of the most exciting aspects of this initiative is that visitors to the Bob Crane Community Center will be able to view real-time energy savings on a monitor located in the main lobby. The installation of solar panels is anticipated to significantly reduce the building’s operating costs for years to come. By tapping into solar energy, the facility will lessen its dependence on traditional power sources, leading to substantial long-term savings.