Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog: Cleveland Heights

Cleveland Heights sidelots

2012-01-19T03:31:03Z

The City of Cleveland Heights is offering vacant city-owned residential properties to owners of adjacent houses for $100 plus closing costs. City Council gave the city manager the authority to administer the program.

The illusive specter of decline

2011-10-26T17:09:15Z

Mark Souther considered the perception of decline in Cleveland Heights by comparing current conditions to the situation 50 years ago. He concluded that "history suggests neither rise nor decline is inevitable. The fate of communities is always shaped by citizens and their government."

Oakwood property sale completed

2011-10-22T03:53:11Z

Developer Mitchell Schneider's First Interstate Properties completed its purchase of the Cleveland Heights portion of the Oakwood Club property. The company has not submitted plans for the 92-acre site, but its preliminary concept "calls for a campus setting with a variety of living options for older adults, along with therapy and wellness facilities, retail, restaurants and civic use."

The latest at GCBL

2011-08-31T18:50:22Z

At GreenCityBlueLake, Marc Lefkowitz wrote about the green zoning initiative in Cleveland Heights and about sustainability efforts at RTA.

Shaker Farm Historic District

2011-08-22T15:21:50Z

The City of Cleveland Heights soon may have a new district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed Shaker Farm Historic District would be the tenth in the City.

Update: Cleveland Heights Patch has more information.

Adaptive reuse in Cleveland Heights

2011-08-10T03:05:27Z

The City of Cleveland Heights will consider changing its zoning code to establish guidelines for the reuse of non-residential buildings in residential districts. Creating adaptive reuse rules was one of the recommendations of the City's sustainability audit. Officials and residents discussed the proposal at a public hearing on Monday.

Update: the Cleveland Heights Planning Commission approved the changes.

Update 2: City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on August 15.

Neighborhood businesses band together

2011-07-06T15:55:54Z

Property owners in Kamm's Corners (PDF) are considering the creation of a special improvement district. Several other Cleveland neighborhoods have SIDs in place. Businesses in the Cedar-Taylor area may form a merchants association.

Planning in Cleveland Heights

2011-06-30T03:55:56Z

Cleveland Heights City Council adopted the final version of its new strategic development plan (PDF). In the Cedar Lee district, officials and businesses are working to advance the streetscape plan (PDF, 71.2 MB) prepared in 2008.

Completing South Taylor Road

2011-06-24T03:47:09Z

GreenCityBlueLake's Marc Lefkowitz considered ideas for altering plans for South Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights to make it a complete street.

Cleveland Heights and the land bank

2011-06-19T03:31:40Z

Cleveland Heights City Council approved an expanded agreement with the Cuyahoga County Land Bank. It's intended to help the City deal with distressed properties.

FutureHeights forum

2011-04-12T03:57:26Z

More than 100 people attended a Thursday FutureHeights forum prompted by the proposed Oakwood Commons development. At the event, Terry Schwarz, Hunter Morrison, and Ed Jerse spoke about land use, regionalism, urban sprawl, and the importance of master planning.

Update: video of the forum is now available.

Suburban NSP housing renovations

2011-04-07T03:15:53Z

The City of Cleveland Heights completed work on four houses it was renovating through the use of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding. The houses are now on the market, and proceeds from the sales will be used to renovate or demolish other neglected houses. The City of South Euclid is finalizing the sale of the first house renovated through its Green Neighborhoods Initiative.

Update: information about renovated homes in 11 Cuyahoga County cities is available through the Ideal Homes Program.

Oakwood Commons updates

2011-03-12T04:59:19Z

More than 150 people attended a meeting of the South Euclid Planning Commission on Thursday to discuss the proposed Oakwood Commons retail development. Most of those who spoke opposed the project. Consultants with McKenna Associates recently completed a review of the rezoning proposal. Earlier in the week, developer First Interstate Properties announced that it is exercising its option to purchase the 90-acre Cleveland Heights portion of the property. The company has not finalized its concept for the land in Cleveland Heights. Blogger Bob Rosenbaum considered the rhetoric surrounding the proposed development.

Update: the Sun News summarized the report from McKenna Associates.

Update 2: the Sun Messenger continues to support the proposal.

Beachwood economic development

2011-02-24T22:08:39Z

The City of Beachwood eliminated its economic department, and Economic Development Director Vince Adamus resigned. Municipal leaders are evaluating their options. Late last year, the City decided to close the Beachwood Business Development Center, which reopened as the Cleveland Heights Development Center earlier this month.

Ideas for Cedar-Taylor

2011-02-23T20:55:23Z

Cleveland Heights and University Heights municipal officials, business owners, and nonprofit leaders met on Monday to discuss the future of the Cedar Taylor business district.