2024 PLANNERS ADVOCACY DAYS

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.

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.