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COUNTY PLANNING NEWSLETTER

September 2025

New TOD Loan Program Launched

The Cuyahoga County Department of Development recently unveiled a new Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Loan Program designed to support high-density real estate projects located near high-frequency public transit corridors. These loans are intended to spur job-creating development that strengthens transit-accessible communities, revitalizes neighborhoods, and bolsters the region’s economic vitality.


The TOD Loan Program assists in securing capital—a key barrier for development projects. The Department of Development will host an informational webinar for applicants on Tuesday, September 9 at 2:00 p.m. Register now to learn more about the program.

 

Communities along high-frequency transit lines were previously invited to highlight available sites that are primed for Transit-Oriented Development. Details about these development sites are now available on our website.

South Euclid MU-TOD Zoning Code Update: Cedar Center

a portion of South Euclid's zoning map

Zoning map courtesy of the City of South Euclid

South Euclid has approved its recently adopted Mixed-Use Transit-Oriented Development (MU-TOD) Zoning District for the Cedar Center shopping district. Developed in partnership with County Planning and the South Euclid Department of Planning & Development, the MU-TOD was established to guide development and redevelopment in areas where a mix of uses and a diversity of housing types could expand mobility options, promote transit use, and deliver walkable, pedestrian-focused neighborhood development. Aligned with County Planning’s best practices for TOD, the MU-TOD Zone offers less automobile-centric regulations. For example, the zoning district allows for reductions to parking minimums where appropriate. 


The MU-TOD promotes development along major corridors and transit routes and permits a mixture of higher density residential and commercial uses. The pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use district that it creates imparts a sense of identity with design guidelines that reinforce the district's "sense of place." It has been nearly 30 years since the Cedar Center shopping district was redeveloped into its current form. With the new MU-TOD, the area is again a focal point for South Euclid. 

Plan for Richmond and Chardon Roads Adopted

Chardon Road in Richmond Heights

The Richmond-Chardon Streetscape and Business Revitalization Plan is a community-driven plan that focuses on economic, social, and environmental health along the City of Richmond Heights' main corridors of Richmond and Chardon Roads. The Plan identifies five focus areas along these corridors that are of City-wide and regional social and economic importance.  


This Plan sets forth a comprehensive set of recommendations to create economically and socially vibrant business districts with safe, attractive, and inviting streets for all users. The guiding principles of the Plan are: walkability and bike-ability; reduction in parked and paved areas to increase the economic and ecological productivity of land; vibrant and aesthetically pleasing streetscapes; economic investment that encourages vitality and resilience; and emphasis on the social realm to create shared community spaces. A detailed implementation manual is included in the Plan and will guide City staff and officials in achieving the recommendations by assigning priorities, time frames, cost estimates, and potential partners for each recommended strategy and action item. The Plan was adopted by the City of Richmond Heights on August 26.

Community Input Needed

In collaboration with the City of Lakewood, County Planning has begun work on the Lakewood Public Art Master Plan. We are actively seeking feedback from residents to gauge their impressions of existing public art throughout the city. Five minutes of your time will help us in our work. Please complete the Lakewood Public Arts Master Plan Survey before September 30.

County Planning Staff News

  • Laura Mendez Ortiz has been selected to the next class of the Urban Land Institute's Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) program, a comprehensive real estate development training and mentorship program for people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Congratulations, Laura!
  • Nichole Laird and Meghan Chaney will present on Park Planning and Public Engagement at the 2025 APA Ohio Conference in Toledo at the end of this month.  

Join a Bike-with-a-Mayor Ride

Bike-with-a-Mayor logo

The Bike-with-a-Mayor series provides opportunities to join local leaders for all-ages-and-abilities rides. Participants can learn about active transportation assets and improvements in their community, chat with elected officials, and enjoy some exercise. Three Cuyahoga County communities are hosting rides in September and October:


  • Highland Heights: September 6 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Richmond Heights: September 13 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Lakewood: October 7 at 6:00 p.m.

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

2079 East 9th Street, Suite 5-300

Cleveland, Ohio 44115

216-443-3700

info@countyplanning.us

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