Summary
- The Cleveland City Planning Commission approved multiple housing projects. It approved a reduction to the street build-out requirement for the East 67th Street development (from 65% to 40%), approved a residential care facility with an eight-person capacity at 6805 Clark Ave., and it also gave conceptual approval to the Haus of Transcendent housing/community services project.
- Hopkins Airport parking structure plans were moved forward, and commission members want it to have a distinct Cleveland vibe. They gave conceptual approval subject to addressing the cost and its connection to airport renovations. Commission Vice Chair August Fluker asked to involve artists as partners rather than just an afterthought.
- Projects focused on community-related public spaces and safety were also approved. The commission gave approval for the Puerto Rico flag mural at CentroVilla25 along with the plaque about its history. It also signed off on Cleveland City Council legislation regarding pedestrian safety improvements at 18 locations, which is supported by $1.64 million in Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) funding.
Follow-up questions
- For the East 67th Street housing project, how much would these homes cost, and how is the Housing Innovation District going to ensure that current residents benefit as well?
Scene at the Sept. 4 Cleveland City Planning Commission meeting
- The Sept. 4 Cleveland City Planning Commission meeting was called to order around 9:19 a.m. and concluded around 12:30 p.m.
- The commission confirmed it had a quorum; all six commission members were present.
- Aug. 21 meeting minutes approved.
- Chair Erika Anthony noted that they have a very robust and full agenda, so she asked everyone to keep their remarks brief.
- Meeting procedures reviewed, including for public comment and rules for recusals/conflicts of interest.
New East 67th Street homes
Presenters: Gillian Hall (project representative with Knez Homes), Adam Davenport (with Cleveland City Planning), Nick Tarpey (Cleveland City Planning and zoning staff).
Project is part of the Housing Innovation District work in the Hough/St. Clair-Superior area. Hall said the plan is 10 houses total; the first phase is five homes on five adjacent lots. This is one of their most cost-effective plans, Hall said.
Davenport said the broader initiative includes 20 single-family homes across St. Clair and Hough, plus some home repairs and a couple of storefront renovations.
Stay up to date: Read our past coverage on the new homes coming to St. Clair and Hough.
Hall said the homes are 1,300 square feet. The homes also have:
- Three bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.
- Laundry, closet and powder room downstairs.
- Attached/rear garages.
- Backyard space.
Tarpey said the main issue was the form-based code street build-out requirement. Code calls for 65% coverage on the front lot line, but proposed homes would have 40% because they are 16 ft. wide on 40 ft. lots.
“The requirement exists to foster an urban street wall and activation on urban corridors, and we understand, you know, that requirement; that intent exists for a reason. But at the same time, we are also allowed to approve relief for projects that may not be appropriate or to better fit neighborhood context with what is existing on the block today,” Tarpey said.
Vice Chair August Fluker thanked them for building smaller homes.
“Thank you for building smaller houses,” he said. “I think, you know, this country is so fixated on ‘big is better.’ I would assume most of us lived in smaller houses when we grew up, and [for] those who didn’t, that’s great. However, that’s really a lot of space to live with dignity, and so it’s hard bringing this type of typology to market when you’re 1,700 to 2,500 square feet — it’s just virtually impossible. So I commend you all on that.”
Commission unanimously approved 40% coverage.
Join the movement for transparency
Civic power can start with you! We train and pay Documenters to take notes at local government meetings and share them here. Learn more about becoming a Documenter.
New Cleveland Hopkins Airport parking structure
Conceptual review for new airport parking structure.
According to staff, a preliminary design review committee recommended conceptual approval under two conditions:
- Provide a cost-per-car budget.
- Better explain how the garage design connects with the rest of the airport renovations.
Commission members talked about making the overall airport project feel connected and making sure the design reflects Cleveland.
Commission granted conceptual approval unanimously.
New dispensary coming to Jennings Road
Nirvana Dispensary – 4002 Jennings Road
Project representative Fayez Abboud presented the proposal for a new 4,200 square foot building. Site is in an industrial area, previous building was demolished, and the parcel is currently mostly empty. Plans include 32 parking spaces, landscaping, lighting, and signage.
Dispensary is state-licensed, and the floor plan has already been approved by the state.
Security would include cameras both inside and outside, 24/7 monitoring, and a secure vault. No processing on site. Products would be prepackaged.
Commission approved unanimously and said any remaining details could be worked out with staff for final approval.
Pedestrian safety improvements
Cameron Roberts, the city’s Vision Zero coordinator, said the city received $1.64 million in Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) funding for pedestrian safety improvements at 18 locations.
Project includes seven new crossings and improvements to 11 existing crossings/intersections.
Planned treatments could include flashing beacons, high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and curb extensions.
Total construction cost is just under $2.1 million with the city contributing about $455,000.
Construction expected to begin in July 2027 and finish by the end of October 2027.
Commission approved unanimously.
There’s more: Read the full notes from this meeting by Documenter Kaitlin Bender-Thomas. They include details about a new Puerto Rican mural at CentroVilla25.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
