Realtor, policy groups unveil free tool to promote development in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Stakeholders in the Ohio housing crisis launched a new online resource this week to help local governments, developers and homeowners overcome housing development barriers.

The "Housing Ohio: Tools For Development" toolkit stemmed from a partnership between Ohio Realtors and the Greater Ohio Policy Center. The free online resource offers zoning recommendations, building plans and a legislative guide for municipalities.

Ohio Realtors and the Greater Ohio Policy Center debuted the resource on March 25 at the Statehouse. Representatives said they created the toolkit to help promote new housing developments at a time when Ohio desperately needs more homes. The guidebook examines Ohio's slowing housing production and rising home prices and offers accessible resources to combat some of the state's most common development roadblocks.

"There are thousands of vacant lots across the state, especially in Ohio’s legacy neighborhoods and cities," Alison Goebel, Greater Ohio Policy Center's executive director, said. "We are thrilled to offer practical tools that will accelerate infill development and provide quality housing options. We are grateful for Ohio Realtors' leadership on this issue."

The guidebook recommends reducing barriers to infill development, or housing construction on vacant lots that already exist in neighborhoods, rather than razing an area for an entirely new development. Infill development uses existing sidewalks, roads and sewer systems, so Ohio Realtors suggest it is less expensive and disruptive to build and helps revitalize neighborhoods.

To promote infill development, the guidebook offers zoning adjustment recommendations for local governments. Dubbed a la carte adjustments, these suggestions include embracing smaller minimum requirements and reconsidering laws that may get in the way of development. It also recommends allowing up to four mixed home types on the same lot to provide more opportunities for housing construction.

The groups said many neighborhoods already have smaller, older lots that do not comply with modern zoning laws. By allowing lot sizes to mirror the smaller lots that were grandfathered in, developers will have a lot more flexibility in building homes.

The guide even includes a checklist for implementing development policies that local governments can use to optimize their housing opportunities. The resource explains what local governments can do in detail, and walks leaders through a timeline of development optimization policies. It also recommends pre-approving standard housing plans to minimize repetitive zoning review procedures.

"One challenge that many legacy cities face is a lack of developers willing to build modest-sized units on the small, infill lots available. Many home builders today often prefer large sites to achieve efficiency of scale," the resource said.

To help further, the resource includes free floorplans for narrow, single-family homes or duplexes. Rather than the typical duplex design with two adjacent units, the resource offers front and rear units in three different sizes: one single-family home and two two-family units with a three-bedroom home a piece, and either a one- or two-bedroom home in the rear.

The narrow one-family homes begin as a two-bedroom, two-story home with optional additions of a third, first-floor bedroom or an upstairs sleeper porch. The narrow homes are designed for alleys or driveways to help with parking, and are just 16.5 feet wide to accommodate "almost any lot."