Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee March 10th, 2026

The Cleveland City Council's Development, Planning and Sustainability Committee met on March 10, 2026, to discuss several key items related to urban development and historic preservation. The committee approved landmark designations for historic church buildings and the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, recognizing their cultural and architectural significance. A major focus was the Westinghouse Redevelopment Project, an $81 million initiative to convert a vacant industrial building into 116 residential units with commercial space, supported by tax increment financing (TIF) and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. The committee approved ordinances authorizing the use of these financing tools, including amendments increasing the TIF amount. Additionally, the committee considered an ordinance to hire professional consultants to enhance and expand the city's form-based zoning code pilot program. This program aims to streamline permitting and support diverse development types across Cleveland. Several council members expressed interest in ensuring transparency and community engagement in zoning changes, with amendments requiring notification to council of cooperative purchases related to the consultant contract. The meeting included detailed discussions on the benefits and challenges of the form-based code, the need for updated zoning to support housing and commercial development, and the importance of balancing development with community input.