County Planning Issues Report on the State of TOD in Cuyahoga County

The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission published the first results of the countywide Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Study today.

The goal of the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Study is to identify zoning regulations that could hinder TODs and help local communities improve their zoning regulations to foster TOD along key corridors. The materials released today represent the first phase of the study, and outline the state of TOD in Cuyahoga County. This includes a State of TOD document, an interactive overview, and a supplemental report on development trends in TOD corridors.

The first phase’s objectives were to define transit-oriented development and its benefits, determine key TOD corridors, and quantify existing TOD and future TOD opportunities. Major findings from this phase included:

  • 22 TOD corridors were identified, with 26 Cuyahoga County communities in TOD walksheds.
  • More than $300 million in major investments are made annually in TOD walksheds, but are heavily concentrated in certain neighborhoods.
  • The design of new development influences whether it conforms to principles of TOD.
  • TOD walksheds cover 19% of Cuyahoga County land, but 29% of jobs, 35% of the population, and 54% of those under poverty line.
  • Within the TOD walksheds, more land is used for parking than for buildings, and most land is zoned for single-family housing.
  • Significant opportunity exists to add density and development along TOD corridors.

key takeaways graphic

Future phases of the study will cover an analysis of TOD zoning, model TOD zoning, and TOD financing strategies.

The TOD Zoning Study is an initiative of County Planning and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, in collaboration with the cities of Cleveland, Fairview Park, and Shaker Heights.