MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

August 8, 2024

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Director Dever at 2:03 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

No requests for public comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 13, 2024 MEETING

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Welo the minutes from the June 13, 2024 meeting was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

Director Huang arrived.

RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING BOARD APPROVAL

Councilperson Simon arrived.

Resolution No. 240808-A requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of South Euclid to prepare Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Code Updates.

Erik Engle reported that County Planning recently completed a TOD Overlay Zoning Guide and TOD Best Practices manual. Based on this work, the City of South Euclid contacted County Planning to assist in updating several commercial zoning districts serviced by major transit lines to enhance walkability and design standards overall and reclassify them under a new TOD Zoning District.  The project will utilize the recently completed TOD Study materials to be able to draft recommended zoning changes, and by partnering with the city’s project and legal teams, be able to test regulations in existing lots in target districts and evaluate the recommended zoning changes.

This project will coordinate the review process with the City’s Planning Commission, Architectural Board of Review (ABR), City Council, and the public. County Planning is requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of South Euclid at a (not-to-exceed) total project cost of $15,000, with Phases One and Two invoiced this year and Phases Three and Four invoiced next year in 2025. The work is expected to be completed by January 28, 2025.

On a motion by Mayor Weiss, seconded by Joseph Nanni, with Mayor Welo recusing herself, Resolution No. 240808-A requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of South Euclid to prepare Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Code Updates was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

INFORMATION-ONLY PRESENTATIONS

Single-Family Zoning Results Update

Patrick Hewitt reported on the Singe-Family Zoning Analysis that was completed in 2023 and included a Development Professionals Survey, Code Update Options Report, Infill Incentive Options Report, resource documents, and online tools. The core findings showed more than 5,300 vacant, single-family zoned lots in ‘First Suburbs’ communities with outdated zoning maps and large numbers of non-conforming lots. The report also showed 41% of lots do not meet minimum lot size requirements and 30% of homes do not meet front setback requirements.

The effort has paid off and to-date many communities have adopted zoning updates.  The City of Warrensville Heights and City of Maple Heights have made all existing lots buildable regardless of area and width requirements.  The City of Brooklyn has reduced minimum size requirements including lot width and reduced front yard setbacks, and South Euclid developed an infill overlay district and design guidelines that streamline review and approval processes. The City of Euclid is developing new regulations for residential districts, streamlining zoning documents, and the cities of Garfield Heights, Lakewood and East Cleveland are all developing residential overlay districts.

Patrick Hewitt related that these code changes -ranging from large-scale updates to simple changes – help to reduce zoning barriers. Builders are responding to these zoning changes by building new housing, and in the City of South Euclid, 56 new infill housing projects are underway using the new overlay district and more than 100 new homes projected for construction in the next two years. The prices for already-sold homes in the City of South Euclid range from $270,000 to $400,000. Ashley R. Holloway, Assistant Director of Planning and Development from the City of South Euclid wrote about the city’s experience after the zoning update saying,

“Generally, infill construction required multiple variances that prolonged the approval process. This was a barrier to developers, individual home builders, current residents that wanted to improve their homes, and insurance companies that insure existing homes. As a built-out community, constructing infill housing on vacant lots and remaining undeveloped land sites is the primary type of housing which is constructed in our city. Infill development is booming since the overlay was adopted.”

Mr. Hewitt closed by thanking the partners of First Suburbs Consortium, Cuyahoga Land Bank, and First Federal of Lakewood.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Director Cierebiej opened her report with the announcement that Alison Ball left County Planning for another job opportunity. Her work was reassigned to Meghan Chaney working on Natural Resource Assistant Council, Elaine Price working on District One Public Works Integrating Committee, and Maureen Riley working on Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grants in 2024.

The East 22^nd Street Small Area Plan team met with the City of Cleveland to discuss the coordination and roles of all partners involved given the wide variety of stakeholders aiming to connect the neighborhood with the city.

Director Cierebiej reported on County Planning’s forecasted 2024-year end budget and the projected 2025 operating budget which are to be updated with two key hires this year and to account for higher rates for subscriptions, software and programs. Conversations are continuing with OBM about the overall projected County budget deficit and the County Planning funding shortfall that is projected by the end of the year.

County Planning’s Bylaws, Powers & Duties, and Board Terms are still under review with the Law Department who is working to bring all the language up-to-date and for terms to be aligned so all seats have the same three (3) year term requirement.

New logo pins are available to all Board members as a thank you for all the service and support this past year.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business.

ADJOURN

On a motion by Director Dever, seconded by Mayor Burke, the Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 2:58 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

September 12, 2024 (tentative)