The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Study aims to improve zoning regulations and governmental policies in order to attract more transit-oriented development to key corridors in Cuyahoga County.

Recent Updates

Cover of the Model TOD Zoning Overlay documentThe Model TOD Zoning Overlay is a free resource for communities that are considering changes to their zoning to better facilitate the construction of TOD. This document should be used in conjunction with the Model TOD Zoning Overlay Annotated Guide, which provides additional insights into the model zoning regulations and offers suggestions for how the model ordinance can be adapted to local needs.

Communities seeking to adopt zoning changes can contact us for assistance.

County Planning and GCRTA have partnered on the TOD Zoning Study—in collaboration with the Cities of Cleveland, Shaker Heights, Fairview Park, and Cleveland Heights; as well as other local communities, agencies, and entities—to encourage and support those seeking to build transit-oriented developments along major transit corridors.

The TOD Zoning Study

The TOD Zoning Study is a four-part initiative that aims to understand and offer improvements to local zoning and land use strategies in a way that supports additional transit-oriented development. The four initial phases of the TOD Zoning Study are outlined below.

  1. State of TOD in Cuyahoga County
    Define and describe the importance of TOD; identify and quantify TOD corridors and local TOD examples (also available as an interactive overview).
  2. Analysis of TOD Zoning
    Analyze whether existing zoning along transit lines allows TOD and identify target areas for future investment
  3. Best Practices & Model TOD Zoning
    Develop best practices and model zoning for TOD that can be adopted by individual municipalities
  4. TOD Financing Strategies
    Identify TOD financing mechanisms and incentives used in other communities

Additional work has emerged from the initial phases of the TOD Zoning Study. The Development Trends and the TOD Viewer provide data on TOD locally and are updated periodically. Additional Studies and Resources contain supplemental reports, presentations, and additional resources that help illustrate the importance and impact of TOD locally and among peer communities.

As part of the State of TOD analysis, 22 transit lines were selected as they have frequent service and the existing density or transit-dependent population that need frequent service. Additionally, 26 communities are located within the defined TOD walksheds, in grey.

The TOD Zoning Study in the News

Why TOD?

According to the Federal Transit Administration, transit-oriented development, or TOD, includes a mix of commercial, residential, office, and entertainment centered around or located near a transit station. Dense, walkable, mixed-use development near transit attracts people and adds to vibrant, connected communities. The graphic below outlines the various benefits of TODs.
diagram illustrating the public health, sustainability, and economic development benefits of transit-oriented development

Our Role

Many local organizations and communities have already worked on TOD policy or on attracting transit-oriented development to key sites in Cuyahoga County. This effort builds upon existing knowledge and previous work by entities including GCRTA, NOACA, the City of Cleveland, and other individual communities to expand TOD throughout the County while providing a robust understanding of TOD land use and zoning policies across multiple communities.

Contact Us

Questions or comments about the TOD Zoning Study should be directed to:

Mr. Patrick Hewitt, AICP
Planning Manager, Strategy & Development
phewitt@cuyahogacounty.us