2022 Annual Report

The State of Transit-Oriented Development in Cuyahoga County The  State of Transit-Oriented Development report , completed in 2022, is the first in a four-part series looking at the benefits and economic growth potential of transit-oriented development projects. With an eye on land use and zoning regulations across multiple communities, County Planning and its partners studied 22 transit corridors that touch significant portions of 26 communities for opportunities to adjust land use, enhance the design of new investments, improve walkability, and support transit use.  

Future phases of the TOD Zoning Study series will highlight best practices for TOD, develop model ordinances, and identify finance tools and incentives to attract transit-oriented development.   

Together with the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works, County Planning is advancing the goals of the  Cuyahoga County Lakefront Public Access Plan . Completed in February 2022, the Lakefront Public Access Plan studied Cuyahoga County's 32-mile Lake Erie shoreline with the goals of stabilizing severely eroding areas and expanding public access. Two Focus Areas have been designated for near-term implementation:

1. The Euclid Beach Connector (see images), a 3,300 lineal foot trail in Cleveland's North Collinwood neighborhood, north of Lake Shore Boulevard, will connect the Cleveland Metroparks' Euclid Beach Lakefront Reservation to Shore Acres Drive.
2. Lakewood's Gold Coast, north of Lake Road, is the planned site for a 3,700 lineal foot all-purpose trail along the shoreline.

The Aerozone, the geographic area of Cuyahoga County that includes the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the NASA Glenn Research Center, and surrounding communities, is a nexus of regional manufacturing industries serving the airport, NASA, the U.S. auto industry, and numerous end-users. An employment center for technology, research and development, and logistics, the Aerozone is an economic engine for Greater Cleveland with 100,000 jobs, 3,000 hotel rooms, and 1,135 acres of potentially developable land. Guided by the Aerozone Alliance, a partnership of Cuyahoga County, private sector businesses, entrepreneurs, universities, local governments, federal agencies, and nonprofits, the objective is to establish the Aerozone as a world-class innovation district that will attract smart jobs and investment.

Aerozone Current Conditions Study  At the request of the Aerozone Alliance, County Planning performed an analysis of current conditions in the Aerozone to identify assets, issues, and opportunities that will lay the groundwork for future planning and growth for this extraordinary job hub. One outcome of the  Current Conditions Study , the Character Areas map, identifies broad job clusters that can support economic development initiatives. 

Expanding upon the first phase of the  First Suburbs Single-Family Zoning Analysis , completed by County Planning in 2021, the initiative's second phase outlines best zoning practices that can facilitate the development of infill housing. Several resources for communities were produced from the Phase II analysis including a Design Guidelines Guidebook, a manual of Infill Incentives Options, a best practices toolkit, and tips for municipalities, builders, and community members about the process and benefits of building infill housing.  

Providing a blueprint of growth for Cuyahoga County communities with a Master Plan allows County Planning to meet the development needs of county communities while contributing to the quality of life for its residents. A Master Plan encompasses an analysis of current conditions; the engagement of stakeholders and community members in developing a vision for the community; producing recommendations for specific infrastructure and development improvements; and providing a list of specific sources of funding to pay for those projects. In 2022, County Planning developed Master Plans for inner-ring communities, small villages, and outer-ring suburbs. 

A first-ring suburb with a need to redevelop former manufacturing areas, preserve housing, and increase recreational opportunities for residents, Garfield Heights is a thriving community that will be made even better with the recommendations highlighted in its  Master Plan .

An outer-ring suburb with a desire to continue attracting businesses, meet the recreational needs of its residents, and explore the potential for targeted redevelopment opportunities,  Middleburg Heights' Master Plan  is a guide for the future growth of this flourishing community located within the Aerozone. 

An example of the advocacy of the Cuyahoga Greenway Partners was celebrated in 2022 with the opening of the Cleveland Metroparks' trailhead in downtown Cleveland’s Canal Basin Park. The trailhead completed the construction of the 101-mile Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga County. The Towpath Trail follows the historic path where, from 1827 to 1913, mules pulled canal boats filled with goods along this manmade canal that linked the Ohio River to Lake Erie. The trailhead and park are located at the site where the canal met the Cuyahoga River. 

The Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program allocates approximately $3.2 million annually to Cuyahoga County for the purchase of green space and for the protection of riparian corridors. The funds from this program are disbursed to communities and eligible nonprofits through a competitive grant program.  

County Planning developed a Vacant Sites Inventory in conjunction with the County Department of Development, TeamNEO, and area municipalities. Starting with over 6,000 tracts of vacant commercial and industrial land, more than 180 large sites were identified in 40 suburban communities. Each of the top sites were evaluated for natural constraints, access to interstates, rail, and electric transmission lines. The County Department of Development will continue to work with its partners to actively market many of these sites.

At the request of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the City of Cleveland Health Department, County Planning conducted the latest in a series of updates to the  Food Access Assessment for Cuyahoga County. The analysis evaluated over 1,200 retail establishments to identify 223 grocery stores throughout the County. Staff used local street networks and the latest data on poverty and other socio-economic measures to identify areas with substandard access to traditional grocery stores.

County Planning provides updates to municipal zoning maps upon request so that municipalities can provide the latest available zoning for their community in a modern, more accessible fashion.

The staff of County Planning performs the work of the agency which includes planning services, grant administration, special projects, GIS and mapping services, and agency administration. Our staff has expertise in professional planning, geographic information systems, business administration, municipal government, city management, community development, community development finance, economic development, commercial real estate, environmental biology, grant writing, technical writing, and grant administration. Collectively, our skills richly inform our project work.

County Planning operates principally through a General Fund subsidy of Cuyahoga County. This appropriation allows County Planning to provide professional planning services either in-kind or at a reduced cost to the cities, villages, and townships of Cuyahoga County. Our professional planning services also bolster regional initiatives that benefit multiple communities and stakeholders in Cuyahoga County. A smaller portion of County Planning's overall budget is from paid contract work.

In 2022, County Planning's budget of $3.2 million included operating costs and expenses, and $950 million allocated to our administration of the County’s Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant.