The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission has been recognized with an Award of Excellence for its Single-Family Zoning Analysis initiative. This accolade from the American Planning Association's County Planning Division and the National Association of County Planners honors counties' best practices in planning work nationwide.
Launched in 2021, this zoning analysis examined 19 inner-ring suburbs, evaluating how outdated regulations may impede infill housing, affordability, and community reinvestment. According to a statement by Mary Cierebiej, AICP, Executive Director of County Planning through the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission website, "The Single-Family Zoning Analysis identified more than 5,300 vacant, single-family lots in these communities, and evaluated how outdated zoning was hindering redevelopment." The initiative aimed to address issues brought upon by archaic laws that limit housing diversity and foster disinvestment in First Suburbs.
In the wake of the study, several communities are revamping their zoning codes to support infill housing. Following the recommendations, places like Brooklyn, Euclid, and Maple Heights have updated their zoning code, drawing directly on data and resources from the initiative. For instance, the City of South Euclid launched 56 new infill housing projects since implementing a new infill overlay district in early 2023, with a forecast of 100 new homes over two years.
"This project involved the collaboration and support of communities and organizations ranging from the Cuyahoga Land Bank and First Federal of Lakewood to the municipalities of the First Suburbs," Jennifer Kuzma, Director of the Northeast Ohio First Suburbs Consortium, detailed the collaborative effort, according to the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission website. The award highlights the national recognition being received for local zoning reform efforts.
The Single-Family Zoning Analysis is a collective endeavor, with contributions from the First Suburbs Consortium of Northeast Ohio, the Cuyahoga County Land Bank, and First Federal of Lakewood. More information on the initiative can be found at the County Planning's website, which is available here.
The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission serves the Greater Cleveland communities by offering planning services and tools to make informed public decisions. Similarly noteworthy, the First Suburbs Consortium of Northeast Ohio has dedicated itself to the well-being of mature suburban communities since 1996, endorsing regional cooperation.
