The American Planning Association, County Planning Division and National Association of County Planners recognized the initiative with an award in the Best Practices category.

The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission (County Planning) is proud to announce it has received an Award of Excellence in the Best Practices category for its Single-Family Zoning Analysis initiative from the American Planning Association (APA), County Planning Division (CPD) and its sister organization, the National Association of County Planners (NACP). The organizations annually recognize outstanding planning projects from counties around the country.

The Single-Family Zoning Analysis, launched in 2021, evaluated zoning issues in 19 inner-ring suburbs to identify their impact on infill housing, affordability, and community reinvestment. Through comprehensive data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and best practices research, the project sought to address the challenges posed by outdated zoning laws that limit housing options and contribute to disinvestment across First Suburbs.

“The Single-Family Zoning Analysis identified more than 5,300 vacant, single-family lots in these communities, and evaluated how outdated zoning was hindering redevelopment,” said Mary Cierebiej, AICP, Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. “This award recognizes the importance of working across community boundaries to attract much-needed housing to our communities, which can be accomplished through thoughtful zoning reform. This project represents our ongoing effort to assist communities across the county in modernizing regulations and planning for growth.”

As a result of this project, communities across the First Suburbs are updating their zoning codes to facilitate infill housing. The communities of Brooklyn, Euclid, South Euclid, Maple Heights, and Warrensville Heights have already adopted zoning code updates using data and resources from the project. Similarly, the communities of East Cleveland, Garfield Heights, and Lakewood are currently working on code updates. Adopted changes have resulted in over 25,000 parcels that previously may have needed variances for lot area or lot width, no longer needing those variances. These code updates have had a tangible impact on infill housing development. The City of South Euclid by itself has 56 new infill housing projects in development since the City adopted their new infill overlay district in early 2023 and is on pace for 100 new homes to be constructed over the next two years.

“This project involved the collaboration and support of communities and organizations ranging from the Cuyahoga Land Bank and First Federal of Lakewood to the municipalities of the First Suburbs,” said Jennifer Kuzma, Director of the Northeast Ohio First Suburbs Consortium. “We are so proud that the collaborative efforts of zoning reform locally are being recognized on a national level.”

The Single-Family Zoning Analysis was a joint effort of the First Suburbs Consortium of Northeast Ohio, the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, the Cuyahoga Land Bank, and First Federal of Lakewood.