MINUTES OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

June 13, 2024

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) was called to order by Councilperson Simon at 2:00 p.m. and the roll call showed a quorum was present.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No requests for public comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 9, 2024 MEETING
On a motion by Mayor Dailey Jones, seconded by Mayor Gallo the minutes from the May 9, 2024 meeting was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

Director Huang arrived.

RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING BOARD APPROVAL

Resolution No. 240613-A requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Cleveland Heights to provide a Gateway & Wayfinding Signage Plan. Rachel Novak reported on the City of Cleveland Heights’ project goals:  to foster a unified community identity, guide visitors to key destinations and attractions, strengthen the eleven (11) commercial districts and neighborhoods, enhance traveler experiences by improving ease and comfort, and create thoughtful signage in LMI (low-moderate income) neighborhoods. This Agreement outlines inclusive community engagement and feedback in 2024, to allow engineering, fabrication, and installation of the signage in 2025. Rachel Novak noted the total project cost of $75,000 with a County Planning community planning grant award of $71,250 and Cleveland Heights contribution not to exceed $3,750, with the work estimated to be completed by June 30, 2025.

On a motion by Mayor Welo, seconded by Mayor Gallo, Resolution No. 240613-A requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Cleveland Heights to provide a Gateway & Wayfinding Signage Plan was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 240613-B requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Cleveland Heights to provide Zoning Code updates to permit the construction and integration of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) within targeted zoning districts. Rachel Novak noted that this Agreement builds off the recent work in Cleveland Heights and the ADU Research Study which explored ADU benefits and potential concerns, best practices, and zoning and policy considerations. This Agreement intends to leverage the recently completed ADU Research Study to draft recommended zoning changes – in partnership with the City’s Project and Legal Teams – in order to both evaluate recommended zoning changes and to test regulations on existing lots within targeted districts. The scope of work also includes coordination with and presentations to the City’s Planning Commission, Architecture Board of Review (ABR), City Council, and the public. The Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Cleveland Heights has a total project cost of $20,000 with Cleveland Heights cost not to exceed $20,000 with the work estimated to be completed by February 28, 2025.

On a motion by Director Huang, seconded by Mayor Dailey Jones, Resolution No. 240613-B requesting the approval of a Professional Planning Services Agreement with the City of Cleveland Heights to provide Zoning Code updates to permit the construction and integration of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) within targeted zoning districts, was duly adopted with a unanimous vote.

INFORMATION-ONLY PRESENTATIONS

2024 Data Book: Our Communities

Kevin Leeson introduced himself and the team that worked on the 2024 Our Communities Data Book:  Daniel Meaney, GISP, Manager, Research & Information; Liam Leveto, GIS Technician; and Paul Triolo, Planner. Kevin Leeson continued with the purpose of the Data Book series being to assist communities in understanding their data, provide data in an accessible format and have data that is updated regularly. The Data Books have been used by County Planning, other county agencies & departments. local governments, and the private sector.

In total, the 2024 Our Communities Data Book includes 56 indicators in six categories: Demographics, Economy, Housing, Land Use, Transportation, and a new category, Health. Each indicator includes totals for each city, village, and township in the county in the form of maps, charts, and tables. As compared to a previous edition, this Communities Data Book has a total of 19 new indicators and a new section on health data, and all the previous indicators refreshed with updated data for comparability across years.

Fiscal Update

Jennifer Karaffa gave a brief financial update. She reported that in December 2023 County Council granted additional appropriation and in March 2024 OBM advanced County Planning’s alignment request of those additional funds and funds for the Healthy Urban Tree Canopy to the lifetime budget. Those changes resulted in a total 2024 operating budget of $2,097,819 for County Planning with personnel costs accounting for more than 96% of the total budget. Funding was appropriated for 19 full-time employees – no vacancies- with $1.564 million in salaries and $464,185 in benefits. However, Ms. Karaffa noted that as of June 5, 2024 County Planning Commission is now fully staffed with 22 positions. In 2024, approximately $68,860 is budgeted for non-labor, basic operations such as supplies, software expenses, employee costs, contractual obligations and chargebacks for County-provided services.

Ms. Karaffa reported that County Planning will continue to act as the fiscal agent for the Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program with another $950,000 in reimbursement grants for eligible applicants in 2024. The Program Funds have been appropriated under a Lifetime Budget Account.

Jennifer Karaffa also forecasted that total 2024 expenses will outpace the current appropriation given County Planning’s higher personnel costs due to being fully staffed, additional software & license costs, professional development opportunities and expenses, increased commodity costs, and higher costs of County-issued chargebacks- for items such as inter-office mail services, fleet vehicle use, etc. Ms. Karaffa also noted that County Planning continues to generate outside revenues from Charges for Services & Intergovernmental Sources, funds that County Planning may consider using this year to help offset some of its projected budget deficits in non-labor accounts.

The next steps for County Planning will be a 2nd Quarter 2024 Budget Meeting with OBM to discuss OBM projections and to continue to closely monitor balances and to potentially repurpose a portion of outside revenues to cover non-labor expenses. It will be necessary to request 4th Quarter 2024 additional appropriation to fully fund Personnel expenses.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Cierebiej opened with a report welcoming Alex Long and Erik Engle, two new Principal Planners, and to Madeline Gardner, a new Summer Intern. An updated organizational chart was distributed to the members. Director Cierebiej gave kudos to the Team on recent plan adoptions in Euclid, Fairview Park, and Warrensville Heights. The Single-Family Zoning code updates in South Euclid and Maple Heights are gaining momentum with plans for new housing. The June 5th Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Workshop was a big success! County Executive Ronayne attended the meeting along with his team.

On June 12th the American Planning Association had the National Virtual Planners’ Day on Capitol Hill and Director Cierebiej was again invited to be present. Momentum for bipartisan federal action on zoning and housing reform is growing in Congress. Finally, Director Cierebiej noted the annual employee performance reviews are underway and the 360 Feedback was overwhelmingly positive! Evaluations included Drive for Results, Communication, Relationships & Teamwork, Leadership, and Technical Capabilities.

OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.

ADJOURN
At 2:48 pm Councilperson Simon adjourned the meeting.

NEXT MEETING
July 11, 2024 Tentative