minhpd 06-29-26

1 MINUTES OF THE HOUSING, PLANNING, & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JUNE 29, 2026 COUNCIL CHAMBERS Present: Councilmembers Baker, Bixenstine, Bullock, Evans, Kepple, Hamilton Steiner, Strebig Also Present: Law Director Vargo, Planning Director Byington, Executive Director of Lakewood Alive, Jo Higgins, Cleveland Bridge Builders Program alums Ken Kalynchuk, Nicole Rounick, Bob Whitney, and Crystal Reed, Council staff Call to Order: 6:03 p.m. Approval of the minutes of the June 22, 2026 meeting of the Housing, Planning, & Development Committee. Motion by Chair Evans, seconded by Councilmember Baker to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2026 meeting of the Housing, Planning, & Development Committee. Report from Vice President Baker regarding May 20th meeting of the Lakewood Alive Board of Directors. ( referred to HPD 6/15/26) Councilmember Evans introduced members of the recent graduating class of Cleveland Bridge Builders who completed a research project on the topic of garages in the City. Cleveland Bridge Builders Program alums Ken Kalynchuk, Nicole Rounick, Bob Whitney, and Crystal Reed introduced themselves and stated their professional affiliations. They delivered a presentation that outlined their research and recommendations regarding the City’ s existing requirement that garages be maintained or replaced. Part of the presentation included a video that demonstrated the financial strain that some residents feel from the existing garage requirements. Ms. Reed explained that she and her colleagues represent a larger group of eight recent graduates from the Cleveland Bridge Builders leadership program. The Bridge Builders partnered with Lakewood Alive to help evaluate and offer solutions on the issue of garages in the City. She stated that 111 citations were issued to homeowners for garages between 2024-2025. Ms. Reed acknowledged that the issue was more complex than they originally expected. She highlighted the average age of Lakewood’ s homes, the significant expense of rebuilding a garage, and the restrictions that federal grants have on using funds on garage projects. Mr. Kalynchuk stated that among the 111 citations issued for garages, 20-25% of them were recommended for demolition and replacement. To understand the issues better, the Bridge Builders conducted stakeholder interviews with residents, councilmembers, City officials, Lakewood Alive, and leaders in surrounding communities. The Bridge Builders produced a map of the garage citations which demonstrated that the issue is widespread throughout the City. They also broke down the data to show which citations were issued to individual homeowners verses LLCs. The majority of citations were issued to individual homeowners. Ms. Rounick acknowledged that policy change is not necessarily the entire solution and discussed the work that Lakewood Alive does and could expand upon. She mentioned bank and Docusign Envelope ID: A0AADB4A- 68AA-8CCB- 80D9-CD22A58E4102

2 mortgage loans, partnerships with local construction and skilled trades training programs among other potential solutions. Mr. Kalynchuk emphasized that volunteer- based solutions are limited by capacity and that Lakewood Alive can only realistically complete a few garage repair projects per year and do not have capacity to complete a full replacement. He introduced the Bridge Builders’ four policy recommendations: 1. Permit garage alternatives such as carports, sheds, parking pads, etc. in lieu of garages. 2. Allow demolition variances to allow homeowners the permission to demolish a failing garage prior to developing a rebuild plan. 3. Expand the 6-month requirement to rebuild a garage to a longer time period such as 12- 18 months. 4. Extend the City’ s tax abatement program to 15 years for garage projects. Mr. Kalynchuk presented a matrix of pros and cons for each of the above- mentioned policy solutions. Councilmember Evans thanked the Bridge Builders for their work and Lakewood Alive for sponsoring the project. He acknowledged that the topic of garages is one that Council hears about frequently. Councilmember Strebig shared her observations as a landlady in the City and stated that she was eager to hear opinions from other landlords. She suggested that having permission to not re-build a garage could be easier for some rental properties. She spoke about how her tenants are constantly juggling cars in their driveway and how the rental properties nearby somehow got permission to install parking pads years ago. She asked follow-up questions about garage citation map. Mr. Whitney clarified that some of the citations on the map are issued to landlords. Only landlords that identified as LLCs or business owned are categorized as landlords in this project. Councilmember Strebig encouraged Bridge Builders to cross reference the addresses of the citations with the Building Department’ s rental license list to better understand which of the properties are rentals. In response to a question, Mr. Kalynchuk stated that the recommendations laid out on the chart, from left to right, are in order of most meaningful to least meaningful and shared additional thoughts on the recommendations. Councilmember Baker expressed appreciation for the recommendations, stating that it is well timed to coincide with the zoning refresh discussion. He remarked on the impact of the County’ s decision to retire the HELP loan program, as those were funds that people could potentially put towards a garage. In response to a question, Mr. Whitney provided additional context around the assignment from Lakewood Alive. The Bridge Builders were encouraged to approach the issue in whatever way possible to address the gap for homeowners with garage violations. Docusign Envelope ID: A0AADB4A- 68AA-8CCB- 80D9-CD22A58E4102

3 Councilmember Bullock shared his response to the recommendations, stating that the recommended variances and longer rebuild times seem the most straightforward. Regarding the other recommendations, he stated that detached garages are part of what make Lakewood unique and his first instinct is not to back away from that, but rather to address the financial costs for rebuilding. He stated that he does not want to see paved backyards become the new norm. Councilmember Kepple asked for a breakdown of the citations by owner occupied verses landlord owned. She also asked what percentage of the people cited wanted to rebuild their garages. Mr. Kalynchuk replied that he and the team would cross reference their data with the rental license list to answer the first question. Regarding the second question, he explained that the team did not survey those cited, so they don’ t know who wanted to rebuild and who did not. Referencing content from the presentation, Councilmember Evans asked for more details and citations on the point made that a garage rebuild adds little to the overall property value. Housing, Planning & Development Committee adjourned at 6:37 p.m. Approved: Bryan Evans, Chair Housing, Planning, & Development Committee Maureen M. Bach, Clerk of Council July 6, 2026 Docusign Envelope ID: A0AADB4A- 68AA-8CCB- 80D9-CD22A58E4102

Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Leadership Center | June 29, 2026 Bridge Builders Leadership Action Plan for Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Bridge Builders Project | May 2026 About Cleveland Bridge Builders - Leadership Action Project Bridge Builders is a 10- month leadership development program run by the Cleveland Leadership Center. It’s purpose is to enhance civic engagement and leadership impact in Greater Cleveland, while helping its members enhance professional relationships. Through the Bridge Builders Program, professionals participate in Leadership Action Projects ( LAP) to support Northeast Ohio nonprofits. Our team of eight worked with LakewoodAlive to research a housing issue chosen by the nonprofit, specifically related to residential garages. Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Bridge Builders Project | May 2026 The Garage Puzzle In Lakewood, 80% of one- and two- family homes are over 90 years old. Homes with garages are required to be maintained or replaced. If a garage is not properly maintained, homeowners are cited. o Between May 2024 and May 2025, 111 homeowners had garage citations. Repair and replacement of garages are expensive, with new garages costing an estimated 20, 000-$ 40, 000 to construct. o Financial constraints of residents and funders are often a burden. o In many cases, the cost to construct a garage exceeds incremental value created Most federal grants are not allowed to be used on garages. The replacement requirement can create a health and safety hazard for households who can’ t afford to replace a garage once it’s in great disrepair. o This becomes an affordable housing issue. Docusign Envelope ID: A0AADB4A- 68AA-8CCB- 80D9-CD22A58E4102

Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Bridge Builders Project | May 2026 Project Research Property and Appraisal Research Interviews with Stakeholders, Inner- Ring Suburban Communities, and Lakewood Residents Data Mapping and Analysis Challenge and Solution Analysis Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Bridge Builders Project | May 2026 Map of Garages - Issue is Widespread - Citations between May 2024 and 2025 R d e d r Individually Owned LLC or Business- owned e Individually Owned LLC or Business- Owned Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Bridge Builders Project | May 2026 Non- Government Solutions LakewoodAlive is focused on helping residents prevent garages with known minor issues from deteriorating beyond repair. Strategies utilized include: o Supporting residents with low- level maintenance repairs conducted before a garage becomes structurally unsound. o Educating residents on available resources and making introductions to contractors. o Utilizing LakewoodAlive’ s volunteer team or other volunteer resources. Additional Solutions Financing and Grants o There are no applicable public financing options available for garage replacement. o Some private financing options include traditional bank financing, a limited 203( k) mortgage, and a standard 203( k) mortgage. However, these options are subject to the credit strength of the homeowner and to equity value in their home. Fundraising o Foundational support options include grants through Cleveland Foundation, George Gund Foundation, Sherwin- Williams Foundation and others. o Annual campaigns that leverage resident impact narratives and program information to create a targeted fundraising appeal. o Capacity building support of LakewoodAlive’ s staff and volunteer base resources. Workforce Partnerships o Local construction and skilled trades training programs throughout Northeast Ohio could partner with LakewoodAlive. Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Bridge Builders Project | May 2026 PolicyOptions Permit Garage Alternatives: Rather than requiring garages to be rebuilt, allow for parking pads, carports, sheds, and/ or green space in lieu of garages. Demolition Variances: In an extreme case of a garage structure being unsound or a safety hazard, allow exceptions for demolition to be completed prior to developing a rebuild plan to help homeowners remove unsafe structures quickly. Longer Rebuild: Expand the 6-month requirement to rebuild a garage to a longer time period. Tax Abatement: Extend Lakewood Homeowner’s Tax Abatement Program to 15 years for garage projects (could be income-limited and/or age-restricted). These recommendations are based on research of other local communities. Docusign Envelope ID: A0AADB4A- 68AA-8CCB- 80D9-CD22A58E4102

Permit Garage Alternatives Demolition Variances Longer Rebuild Tax Abatement Policy Options Lowers total cost Eliminates safety hazard Reduces blight More flexibility for homeowners Lowers immediate cost Eliminates safety hazard faster Reduces blight More flexibility for homeowners Allows more time to secure financing Added financial incentive to rebuild & repair garages Still not insignificant cost Not all alternatives come with outdoor equipment storage and parking space Still not insignificant cost Replacement of storage or parking space is not guaranteed within 6 months Administrative review burden Longer period of time without storage or enclosed parking on the property Delay may not be long enough for all owners doesn’ t address the root cost issue) Difficult to monetize with capital up front Nominal benefit in the new years added ( 11- 15) Costs would include demo 5K+) + alternative use ($ 3- 8K, depending on options) Costs would include demo 5K+) Gives homeowner longer time to save $$ for new garage and/ or to secure financing Save several hundred dollars per year in taxes 11- 15 years after replacement Pros Cons Impact to Homeowner Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Leadership Center | May 2026 Thank you! Q&A Lakewood, OH Garage Repair & Replacement Strategies Cleveland Bridge Builders Project | May 2026 Appendix: About Cleveland Bridge Builders - Table 5 Bridge Builders is a 10-month leadership development program run by the Cleveland Leadership Center. It’ spurpose is to enhance civic engagement and leadership impact in Greater Cleveland, while helping its members enhance professional relationships. We are Table 5! Frank Eich, Audit Principal at Ciuni & Panichi, Inc. Sam Guenther, Assistant Director of Marketing & Media Relations at Cleveland Museum of Natural History Emily Holody, Assistant Director of Fundraising at Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center Ken Kalynchuk, Director and Principal at Project Management Consultants Crystal Reed, Director, Youth Mental & Behavioral Health SWOT Team at Greater Cleveland Works Dan Roberson, Executive Director at PNC Fairfax Connection Nicole Rounick, Major Gifts Officer at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio Bob Whitney, Director of Government Affairs at Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity Docusign Envelope ID: A0AADB4A- 68AA-8CCB- 80D9-CD22A58E4102