LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- City officials are getting creative in hopes of encouraging affordable housing and shared living spaces while also allowing senior citizens to age in place.
That can be a bit tricky in a city that’s been fully built out for nearly a century.
“We’re exploring and looking into our zoning code to make sure it’s modernized for today’s Lakewood,” Mayor Meghan George said.
“What we’ve seen is there is some code that was put into place in prior decades that made sense at the time. Now, it’s prudent for us to look at the zoning code and modernize it to ensure it fits the needs of our communities today.”
With that in mind, Lakewood’s Planning & Development Department has been exploring Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to determine if recommended changes to the zoning code would encourage investment in housing construction and additions in residential single and two-family districts.
“These are proposals stemming from really a couple of years of conversations going back to the resiliency task force that existed in 2019,” Lakewood Director of Planning Shawn Leininger said.
“Most recently, there were discussions that Councilman Shachner helped facilitate through the committee he oversaw on City Council to talk about ADUs, which can mean in-law suites, detached dwellings that are maybe over a garage or even a tiny house.”
Ward 2 City Councilman Jason Shachner added, “Accessory dwelling units are a great way to add diversity to our housing stock, create more opportunities for seniors to age in place and support intergenerational living.
“This legislation is an excellent first step in facilitating the construction of ADUs by reducing regulatory barriers while also maintaining the unique character of Lakewood’s neighborhoods,” he said.
“I’m excited to continue working with the administration on this important initiative.”
Legislation currently being discussed focuses primarily on the R-2 zoning district involving single and two-family homes.
While currently 46 percent of residential lots are zoned R-2 -- the largest unit group in Lakewood -- only 2,545 parcels of the total 8,339 parcels have a two-dwelling unit structure.
Leininger said the city discovered that barriers involving two-dwelling structures include zoning code prohibitions against enlargement of a primary structure to accommodate more than one family and a restriction on primary structure lot coverage.
“One of the first things we’re going to do is remove the restriction, so anybody zoned R-2 can add another unit onto their property,” Leininger said.
“That unit has to be attached to the main house, but it allows them to be able to do that. We think by doing that (we) can create some additional housing supply to offset some of the high demand we have in the community causing prices to go up.
“The other thing we’re doing is increasing the primary lot coverage in the R-1 and R-2 districts. Right now, a primary structure can only occupy 25 percent of the lot. We’re increasing that to 35 percent. That way, for example, they can add a first-floor master and bath that allows people to age in place and stay in their homes longer.”
The hope is any changes will add more rental property in the community.
“By making available more units in the city, the theory is we can add to the supply, therefore reducing the demand and hopefully help maybe stabilize our housing prices or help offset some of the increases we’re seeing in housing prices,” Leininger said.
“Also, these additional units may be smaller in size and more affordable.”
The proposed zoning code changes, which have been referred to the Planning Commission, are expected to pass.
“City Council has been involved in the process,” Leininger said. “We look forward to their feedback and comments. We’re hopeful they pass it this summer.”
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