COUNTY PLANNING NEWSLETTER

April 2025

Our 2024 Annual Report

Photo by Jason Cohn via Rails to Trails Conservancy

Last year was a busy year for County Planning, and the 2024 Annual Report highlights our work across Cuyahoga County. We invite you to read about our ongoing regional initiatives, community-specific work, and the technical services we provide in our project work.

The annual report offers a glimpse of our work with communities to increase housing types, update zoning codes, break ground on new trails, and help with future growth opportunities. Working together, we can meet needs, solve problems, and accomplish great things for Cuyahoga County. 

Highland Hills Comprehensive Plan Approved

On March 12, Highland Hills Village Council voted unanimously to approve the Highland Hills 2024 Comprehensive Plan. Completed by County Planning in partnership with the Village of Highland Hills, the Plan is an update to the Village's 1992 Comprehensive Plan.

The 2024 Comprehensive Plan engaged residents and other Highland Hills stakeholders to identify current issues, assets, and opportunities, and to collectively outline the development of the Village in the next decade. Recommendations from the Plan relate to four broad topics: Economic Development, Housing Maintenance & Opportunities, Community Facilities & Services, and Zoning & Development Regulation.

The Plan proposes targeted improvements, focusing on areas along the Northfield Road and Harvard Road corridors, with an eye toward maximizing development opportunities and enhancing the surrounding region. The development of a Village Town Center is a key proposal of the 2024 Plan that could create a central community gathering space and strengthen the Village’s identity. Envisioned as the home for a new Village Administration Center, the proposed Town Center would provide a mix of residential, retail, and office space within a walkable and transit-friendly environment. 

2025 Community Planning Services Program Awards

County Planning announced the recipients of the 2025 Community Planning Services Program awards on March 13th. The selected projects are the:

• Bedford Master Plan
• Lakewood Public Art Master Plan
• Orange Village Park Links Plan
• Valley View Master Plan Update.

We look forward to collaborating with stakeholders in all four communities in the coming months.

Celebrate Trails Day

The annual Celebrate Trails Day is April 26 and will feature a casual bike ride and walk beginning and ending at Cleveland's Canal Basin Park. Join the fun! It will be a great opportunity to learn about existing and upcoming trails and greenways, interact with local leaders and advocates, and show your support for active transportation. Visit Bike Cleveland's website for details.

Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program Update

Program Year 2025 of the Healthy Urban Tree Canopy (HUTC) Grant Program will be announced on Arbor Day, April 25, with some exciting new changes to make it easier for applicants to accomplish their tree goals. One of those changes is that the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District will administer the program and act as fiscal agent. County Planning celebrates the changes that will make the HUTC program even better moving forward and sends best wishes to all grant applicants. For more information, please contact Soil & Water. 

Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter! If you found the information valuable, please consider forwarding it to a friend or colleague. Please let us know if there are opportunities for us to collaborate with you.

Cuyahoga County Planning Commission

Did someone forward this message to you? Get your own subscription to receive future newsletters.