ZONING REFORM ADVANCES IN CLEVELAND'S INNER RING SUBURBS
UPSKILL WITH APA OHIO THIS FALL
PLUS: PLANNER
ADVOCACY DAYS RECAP
Upcoming Section Events
THE COVER
Starting in 2021, the First Suburbs Consortium of Northeast Ohio partnered with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, the Cuyahoga Land Bank, and First Federal of Lakewood to identify zoning issues that hinder infill development and outline best practices for streamlining infill housing. Project partners developed a suite of tools, including a Code Update Options document, an Infill Incentive Options Guidebook.
Zoning Reform in Cleveland
18 APA Ohio Sponsors
REGISTER TODAY
The American Planning Association (APA) Indiana Chapter, in collaboration with the Ohio and Kentucky APA Chapters, is thrilled to host the 2024 OKI Regional Planning Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, November 20-22, 2024.
Planning Horizons is the theme for this year's conference focusing on the future of planning across the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana region.
Why Attend?
EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF PLANNING
Engage in thought-provoking discussions on emerging trends and innovative approaches shaping the region's development.
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Earn continuing education and certification maintenance credits through a diverse program of sessions led by industry experts.
BUILD VALUABLE CONNECTIONS
Network with colleagues from across the OKI region and strengthen your professional network.
DISCOVER FORT WAYNE
Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Fort Wayne and explore its unique planning initiatives.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices and network with industry leaders.
APA Ohio Members: please use the code OH2024 when registering to receive the member discount.
Hello Ohio Planners! As summer comes to an end, I hope you all were able to spend time with friends and family and recharge your batteries with some sun and fun. We’ve got a lot of great things going on in Ohio, and APA has all the education and networking opportunities to keep your skills sharp and your connections alive!
Congratulations to our new AICPs! APA Ohio is proud to welcome the following members to the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP): James Lenner, Caroyln Thurman, Mark Boswell Marissa Bechstein, Nicholas Eastham, Matthew Snow, Conor Willis,
FIRST WORD
Eric Anderson, AICP
Anna Kelsey, Luke Orednik, Marc Rostan, Ella Donley, Agigail Sara, Emily Hays, Letitia Cetina and Jacob Miller.
2023 Annual Report. What a year! We gave out $5,000 in scholarships to students, held local education workshops in four cities, increased sponsorship levels to fund chapter events, and advocated for state and local policies that promote planners and the profession. Read the report here: ohioplanning.org/annualreport.
Chapter Strategic Plan Update. Your APA Ohio board is working to update the chapter’s strategic plan. We’ll be focusing our efforts, offering improved local education and social activities, and helping policymakers understand the value of planning. Watch out for the updated Strategic Plan later this year.
Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook. APA’s Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook is for local elected officials and community planners working to boost diverse, attainable, and equitable housing supply in communities nationwide. Get the playbook now: planning.org/housing-supply-accelerator.
IT’S BACK! The OKI Regional Planning Conference will be hosted in Ft Wayne, Indiana. Registration is now open. Don't miss out on this opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices and network with industry leaders. APA Ohio Members should use the code OH2024 when registering to receive the member discount! Visit www.oki2024. com for more information.
Central Ohio Planning & Zoning Workshop. Friday, October 11, 2024 at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. Now accepting session proposals until September 13! Learn more at www.ohioplanning. org/centralohioworkshop.
Northwest Ohio Planning & Zoning Workshop. Save the Date! November 15, 2024 in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Miami Valley Planning & Zoning Workshop. Save the Date! December 6, 2024 in Dayton, Ohio.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at any time to learn more about how APA can help you as a planner in Ohio. You can reach me directly at eric.anderson@kzf.com.
Eric Anderson, AICP, is the Director of Planning Services at KZF Design in Cincinnati and APA Ohio President. He can be reached at eric.anderson@kzf.com
TOPICS
Enabling Legislation in
The Role of Citizen Planners in Land Use Decisions
Ethics and Equity
Meeting Management
Comprehensive Planning
Zoning
Subdivision Regulations
Design Review
Transportation Planning
Infrastructure Planning
Environmental Planning
Planning Across other Fields
www.ohioplanning.org/gtpo
Todd Kinskey, FAICP
Todd Kinskey, FAICP is currently a Planner and Project Manager at ZoneCo. He served as APA Ohio President from 2014 - 2016.
APA Ohio MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
APA Ohio Past President and current APA Ohio Legislative Committee member, Todd Kinskey, FAICP, was recently interviewed on behalf of APA Ohio to discuss zoning and development on the NPR show All Sides with Anna Staver.
All Sides is a two-hour, daily public-affairs talk show designed to over time touch upon all sides of the issues and events that shape life in central Ohio. Listeners participate via telephone, e-mail, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, to add to the conversations.
UPCOMING SECTION EVENTS
More information and registration is available @ ohioplanning.org/calendar
APA CENTRAL OHIO
APA Central Ohio Planning & Zoning Workshop October 11, 2024 | Delaware
Don't miss out on this year's Planning and Zoning Workshop at the beautiful Ohio Wesleyan University campus! This year's conference theme is "Unconventional: Crafting Innovative Solutions for Regional Challenges"
The 2024 Workshop will focus on how planners, elected/appointed officials, and citizens each play an important role in crafting innovative solutions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Learn more @ ohioplanning.org/centralohioworkshop
Call for Session Proposals Due September 13.
Call for Sponsors
Opportunities at many price points are available to meet your needs.
Registration Now Open Register today! Member, non member, and student rates are available.
APA CINCINNATI
APA Cincinnati/Ohio ASLA Summer Educational September 13, 2024 | Cincinnati
APA Cincinnati Fall Presentation + Happy Hour September 19, 2024 | Cincinnati
Save the Date!
2025 David J Allor Planning & Zoning Workshop February 28, 2025 | Anderson Center
APA CLEVELAND
APA Cleveland Webinar Series
Join APA Cleveland for a free local lunchtime webinar series this fall. CM credit available for all sessions.
Next: September 9, 2024
APA Cleveland Planner Socials Series
APA Cleveland is launching a Planner Social Series! They'll be meeting up in different local spots to hang out with fellow planners! APA membership is not required to join, this is for anyone interested in planning work.
Next: September 12, 2024 | Brew Dog, Cleveland
APA MIAMI VALLEY
Save the Date!
2024 Miami Valley Planning & Zoning Workshop December 6, 2024 | Dayton
Learn more @ ohioplanning.org/miamivalleyworkshop
APA NORTHWEST OHIO
Northwest Ohio Planners Advocacy Day October 10, 2024 | Toledo
Learn more @ tinyurl.com/mc6wthww
Save the Date!
2024 Northwest Ohio Planning & Zoning Workshop November 15, 2024 | Bowling Green
Learn more @ ohioplanning.org/nwohworkshop
APA OHIO MEMBER SHOUT OUTS
WELCOME NEW AICP MEMBERS
APA Ohio Members are making moves! Kudos to our newest members of AICP!
Marissa Bechstein, AICP
Mark R. Boswell, AICP
Emily Hays, AICP
Anna Kelsey, AICP
James W Lenner, AICP
Marc Rostan, AICP
Abigail Sarac, AICP
Matthew J Snow, AICP
Carolyn N Thurman, AICP
Conor Willis, AICP
ZONING REFORM TAKES HOLD IN CLEVELAND'S INNER RING SUBURBS
Planners across the nation are taking action to reform zoning in the wake of rising home prices and regulatory barriers to building new housing. In Spring of 2023, we shared the story of Cuyahoga County’s First Suburbs as they aimed to remove barriers to infill development right here in Ohio. Today, we are seeing results: multiple code updates, thousands of parcels brought into conformity, and dozens of new homes under construction.
ANALYZING OUR ZONING
Starting in 2021, the First Suburbs Consortium of Northeast Ohio partnered with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, the Cuyahoga Land Bank, and First Federal of Lakewood to identify zoning issues that hinder infill development and outline best practices for streamlining infill housing.
The findings were stark: there were more than 5,300 vacant, single-family zoned lots in the First Suburbs, but redeveloping those properties can be time-consuming and difficult. Many zoning maps were not accessible or up-to-date; and even when maps were available, zoning regulations were written for a time when vacant land was abundant, not when infill housing was the focus.
- as high as 94% in certain communities. Many existing homes could not be built under current regulations. An estimated 30% of homes would not meet existing front setback requirements.
To address identified issues, project partners developed a suite of tools, including a Code Update Options document, an Infill Incentive Options document, and a Design Guidelines
Many of the cities knew they had zoning problems, and this review identified each one and offered a solution to correct it. Most First Suburbs communities do not have planning staff and without this initiative, they likely would not have addressed these issues. - Jennifer Kuzma,
A large number of existing, singlefamily lots did not meet the requirements for lot size and lot width. For instance, an estimated 41% of lots in the First Suburbs did not meet minimum lot size requirements
Guidebook. These resources identify ways that communities can update their zoning, incentivize infill, and communicate design requirements in ways that are predictable and clear.
Director of First Suburbs Consortium
PROGRESS ON ZONING REFORM
Communities recognized the need for zoning updates and have begun making the changes necessary to facilitate infill housing. Eight of the 20 First Suburbs have recently or are in the process of making updates, with some communities making updates even before the analysis concluded. Code updates have reduced barriers to development, streamlined processes, clarified standards, and dramatically reduced the number of variances that may be required.
With the zoning changes already adopted by Warrensville Heights, Brooklyn, Maple Heights, and South Euclid, more than 13,000 parcels that previously may have needed variances for lot area or lot width no longer need those variances. The right-sizing of development standards can speed up the approval and construction process, which makes these areas more attractive for development.
BOOMING DEVELOPMENT
Zoning reforms in First Suburbs communities have been enthusiastically welcomed by home builders. New construction is underway, with dozens of new homes being built with faster approval processes and fewer variances. In South Euclid, where a new infill zoning overlay was adopted by the City, 56 new infill housing projects are in development, and the City is on pace to have well over 100 new homes constructed over the next two years.
Infill development is booming since the overlay was adopted.
According to Ashley R. Holloway, Assistant Director of Planning & Development, “This overlay district creates a more efficient and effective process for building infill housing in South Euclid. 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. Thus, it is important to have a process in place that makes construction of infill housing go as smoothly as possible.”
For example, in the case of the City of Warrensville Heights, the City added a simple text change to their zoning code: "Lots separately owned and duly recorded prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall be considered buildable lots." This single sentence unlocked thousands of parcels for faster development.
Among those homes being constructed under South Euclid's infill overlay, some have already sold for prices ranging from $270,000 to $400,000. According to Mr. Holloway, “Infill development is booming since the overlay was adopted.” For more information on the project and to download the final documents, please visit www.CountyPlanning.us/Singlefamily.
Patrick Hewitt, AICP is the Planning Manager of Strategy & Development at the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission and APA Cleveland Vice Director of Professional Development. He can be reached at phewitt@cuyahogacounty.us
The APA Ohio sponsorship program is chock-full of opportunities to support APA Ohio and our Sections while showing off your brand and what you believe in. Best of all, we've got an introductory rate.
100% of sponsorship dollars goes right back into our organization. Support from organizations like you allow us to continue providing quality professional development and networking opportunities to planners across Ohio along with advocating at the state and federal level for issues important to Ohioans.
Questions? Email Christine Davis at info@ohioplanning.org. www.ohioplanning.org/sponsor
APA OHIO
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
The Legislative Committee is one of many committees within APA Ohio membership that strives to assist our membership in being aware of state legislation that affects the work we do. We monitor legislation for our membership, assist the APA Ohio Board of Trustees in advocacy strategy and we meet monthly to discuss and work toward our annual work plan. We have some exciting updates and engagement opportunities to share with the membership!
Learn more at www.ohioplanning.org/policy
2024 PLANNERS ADVOCACY DAYS
APA
Ohio recently facilitated collaborative gatherings in conjunction with each of the APA Ohio sections to advocate on behalf of the planning profession and elevate our organization’s policy priorities. APA Ohio Advocacy Days took place in Central Ohio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and the Miami Valley with engagement from
nearly 100 planners and 9 state legislators. Legislator attendees included members of leadership, key legislation sponsors, and one of our very own APA Ohio members and AICP certified planners.
The focus topic for Advocacy Days was the role of planning in addressing challenges to housing availability and costs. Event
participants were able to use their personal and professional experiences to highlight how state investment in planning for housing can lead to positive outcomes for our communities. With new incentives, prioritization, and support for planning and implementation from the state, communities can better champion comprehensive housing reform.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Each Advocacy Day was characterized by engaging dialogue between planners and state representatives and/or state senators. State legislators were highly receptive to the idea of enhanced resources for planning and its implementation; however, there remain knowledge gaps in how state support can best amplify local planning efforts. Legislators confirmed a bipartisan interest in zoning reform and pro-housing incentives, and encouraged APA Ohio to engage in those discussions through official legislative testimony, one-on-one meetings, and ongoing communications with elected officials. The political opportunity exists for historic investments in planning and it is imperative that planning success stories make their way to the Ohio Statehouse.
WHAT'S NEXT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR APA OHIO MEMBERS TO ENGAGE:
• As an interested party on HB 499 which would establish a grant program for communities that adopt pro-housing policies and a program for housing developments near megaprojects. One of the bill’s primary sponsors - Rep. Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) - attended the Cincinnati APA Ohio Advocacy Day and provided meaningful context to the bill’s details and committee process.
• Supporting APA Ohio as we craft legislation to clarify and strengthen the definition of “comprehensive plan” within Ohio Revised Code.
Thank you to all of the APA Ohio Advocacy Day attendees! The work is just beginning to ensure that planners have a seat at the table when crafting state policy around housing and other critical issues. [You can learn more about the specific pieces of legislation being tracked by the APA Ohio Legislative Committee here]. [You can download the Ohio Senate Select Committee on Housing Report here]
The APA Ohio Legislative Committee is a volunteer group of APA Ohio members spanning a wide range of geographies, professions, and experience levels. If you’d like to get more involved in how the Chapter monitors, responds to, and advocates for planning-related policy, please reach out to info@ohioplanning.org to inquire about how you can assist the Legislative Committee. All are welcome! You can also view APA Ohio’s complete policy platform on our website for guidance on reaching out to your individual state legislators.
Sam Perry, AICP is the Director of Community Development for the City of Oxford, Ohio and Co-Chair of the APA Ohio Legislative Committee. He can be reached at sperry@cityofoxford.org
Emily Canan, AICP is a Senior Research Analyst for One Columbus She is Co-Chair of the APA Ohio Legislative Committee and an At-Large APA Ohio Board Member. She can be reached at ec@columbusregion.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Visit ohioplanning.org/calendar for all upcoming events and more information.
SEPTEMBER
September 13, 2024
Ohio ASLA/APA Cincinnati Summer Educational Mad Street Brewing @ 10:30 am
September 13, 2024
Building Climate Resilient Communities Planning Webcast Series
September 19, 2024
APA Cincinnati Happy Hour Yard & Co Office, Cincinnati @ 4:00 pm
September 20, 2024
Regenerative City Symposium Planning Webcast Series
City of Columbus Planning Variance & Rezoning Training City of Columbus Planning Department
DECEMBER
December 2 - 31, 2024
Fall 2024 AICP Certification Cycle Experience (Step 3)
December 6, 2024
2024 Miami Valley Planning & Zoning Workshop
Sinclair Community College, Dayton
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