COUNTY PLANNING NEWSLETTER

April 2026

Our 2025 Annual Report

Image courtesy of Cuyahoga County

Our 2025 Annual Report is here! It reflects our emphasis on giving communities the tools to help them grow, and showcases our work in building regional initiatives, modernizing zoning, supporting community growth, and engaging our communities.

Safe Streets and Roads for All

In September 2024, County Planning received a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program to create a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan for Cuyahoga County. The contract was executed earlier this month with the Federal Highway Administration and we will issue an RFQ in the coming months to engage a consultant for the project. 

From 2017 to 2021, 484 people were killed in fatal crashes in Cuyahoga County, a tragic statistic with sobering consequences. The goal of the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan is to enhance safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries in Cuyahoga County's transportation system. The plan will encompass extensive community engagement to gather safety concerns, include an analysis of existing crash data, and recommend infrastructure changes to address safety. Development of the plan will rely on collaboration, coordination, and input from County departments, regional service and safety providers, and the communities of Cuyahoga County. 

Bedford Master Plan Current Conditions Report

A summary of key community findings collected over several months is the basis of the Current Conditions Assessment for the city of Bedford. This report is the first publication in the development of the Bedford Master Plan, which will be completed later this year, and the assessment includes information gathered from the community and various stakeholders. The report provides a picture of Bedford that includes its history and past planning efforts, demographics, economic data such as commute patterns and economic base assessment, home ownership rates and vacancies, land use, and an analysis of the current zoning code.

Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Program Grants

As the Cuyahoga County administrator for the Ohio Public Works Commission's Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Program, County Planning assists applicants seeking these funds. This program is dedicated to environmental conservation that includes open space acquisition and/or related improvement of those open spaces; and the protection and enhancement of riparian corridors or watersheds, including the protection of streams, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Grant recipients agree to maintain the properties in perpetuity. The Clean Ohio application and supplementary materials for this round of funding are available on County Planning's website. A recording of last week's applicant workshop is also available for those who were unable to join in person. The application submission deadline is Friday, June 19, by 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate Trails Day

Celebrate Trails Day, a national event, will be take place on Saturday, April 25 at events around the country. Locally, the city of Pepper Pike is hosting a trail ride along the new Gates Mills Blvd trail extension from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Meet at Pepper Pike City Hall, 28000 Shaker Blvd, Pepper Pike, OH to join the fun!

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.