The plan outlines a strategy for investing in neighborhoods, business districts, and transportation improvements to reinforce the strong, historic community of Cleveland Heights. It was unanimously adopted by Cleveland Heights City Council on March 20, 2017.

Process

The Cleveland Heights Master Plan process began in 2015 and was developed over the course of 16 months. City staff and a Steering Committee made up of residents, business owners, and other stakeholders guided the plan through this process with more than a dozen meetings. The plan included an analysis of current conditions, the development of a community vision for the future, the outlining of action steps to achieve that vision, and prioritization of actions.

Public Involvement

This presentation was made to Cleveland Heights City Council on March 13, 2017, and is available for downloading.

Three public meetings were held to showcase the plan and gather feedback. Following each public meeting, online surveys were posted to allow additional input. Over the course of the plan, approximately 230 residents attended meetings and 786 took online surveys. They left 3,261 comments and selected 14,693 preferences concerning the plan. This input was used to shape the recommendations of the Master Plan.

Core Strategy

The Core Strategy identifies areas of critical focus for the Master Plan. These areas are residential, business districts, and transportation improvement areas that work with other goals and actions to outline initial Master Plan implementation efforts. These target areas are key areas where the City should focus investment and initiatives to stabilize housing, expand businesses, and link neighborhoods with new trail and transit connections.

Major Recommendations

The Master Plan was framed by ten topic areas. These ten topic areas are listed below along with an example action.

Rendering of green infrastructure improvements
Potential green infrastructure improvements
  • Vibrant Neighborhoods
    Action Example: Develop Community Reinvestment Areas to incentivize housing investments
  • Complete Transportation Network
    Action Example: Improve the Cedar Glen Parkway to be a prominent gateway into Cleveland Heights
  • Environmentally Sustainable Community
    Action Example: Expand the tree canopy as a way to capture stormwater and beautify the City
  • Business-Friendly
    Action Example: Plan for, market, and develop the Mayfield Road corridor as the City’s Technology and Innovation Office Corridor
  • Strong Business Districts
    Action Example: Further explore redevelopment concepts for Severance Town Center
  • High-Quality Infrastructure
    Action Example: Develop a web page and notification system to alert neighbors and businesses of upcoming infrastructure projects
  • Hub for Arts and Culture
    Action Example: Activate the City’s existing public plazas with art and entertainment
  • A Diverse and Open Community
    Action Example: Research, develop, and adopt a universal design guidebook that outlines ways to construct or retrofit accessible homes
  • A Safe and Engaged Community
    Action Example: Form a Community Development Corporation to assist in implementing the Master Plan
  • A Healthy Community
    Action Example: Identify areas for community gardens and work with advocacy groups to allow the reuse of vacant properties for these gardens

Documents

Download the full Master Plan or individual sections:

To review the Master Plan draft documents and presentations, visit the City’s Master Plan page.

Core strategy map