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cincyrealtoralliance.comVisit Our WebsiteREALTORS® andCity PlanningWhy REALTORS® care aboutcity planning and zoningreforms in Cincinnati
The opening preamble to the Realtors® Code of Ethics states - "Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocatedownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and ofour civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and itscitizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widestdistribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequatehousing, the building of functioning cities, the development ofproductive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthfulenvironment.Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinarycommerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patrioticduty to which REALTORS® should dedicate themselves, and for whichthey should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve thestandards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor."Why REALTORS® Care About City Planning
+123-456-7890Cincinnati LandscapeBackgroundCincinnati, like many cities, has suffered from decades ofdiscriminatory zoning that has left our city segregated,unsustainable, and now increasingly unaffordable. We are growing for the first time in decades but lagbehind peer cities significantly in permitting new housing. To have a vibrant, growing Cincinnati that benefits all ourresidents, we must have a bold and intentional vision fornew housing and increased density while streamlining theprocess for its creation. Targeting our neighborhood business districts and majorcommercial transit corridors, Connected Communitiessets the vision for the future of housing development inCincinnati.
+123-456-7890Cincinnati LandscapeCincinnati is #1 in rate increases for housing in the country,ahead of even NYC, Miami, and Chicago The Cincinnati region’s median home value jumped from$132,000 in 2016 to $229,000 in 2023—a 73% increase. Overthe same period, wages only increased 37%. The City is no longer affordable for a large portion of Cityresidents The current City code disproportionately favors single-family homes, the most expensive housing type Regulatory processes deter small and minority-owneddevelopers and favor large developers with deep pocketsLast year, the City’s population grew by over 12,000 newresidents but lost over 2,000 housing units
+123-456-7890Cincinnati LandscapeThe disparity between supply and demand is causingartificially high pricing; additional supply is needed tocourse-correct Not all of Cincinnati’s residential business districts currentlyhave the foot traffic to prosper economicallyREALTORS® view six months of available housing inventory as ahealthy, balanced market; yet today, in the Greater Cincinnatiregion, the market barely offers two months of inventory Close to 41% of renters in Cincinnati are cost-burdened,spending more than 30% of their income on housing expenses
Cincinnati is experiencinga housing crisis and is notbuilding enough housingto accommodate itsgrowing and changingpopulation. Under currentzoning law, developersare restricted in theiroptions to increase thesupply. Housing SupplyRestrictive zoning andprohibitive administrativeprocesses contribute tolower housing inventoriesby making applicationand variance permitsharder to obtain. Thisraises housing costs andfosters segregation.Equity in GrowthCincinnati leads all otherlarge metro areas inincreasing housing rates.Currently, zoning favorssingle-family units andincome earners in theupper tax brackets. Housing CostsNot all of Cincinnati’sresidential businessdistricts are thriving. Manylack the necessary foottraffic and density tosupport a robust andprosperous economy.Support for SmallBusinessWhy Cincinnati Needs Connected Communities
Columbus, OHMinneapolis, MNBuffalo, NYLexington, KYAmerica is facing a housing crisis.The U.S. is short millions of housing units. Half of renters are paying more than athird of their salary in housing costs, and for those looking to buy, a scant fewhomes on the market are affordable for a typical household.To ramp up supply, cities are taking a fresh look at their zoning rules that spellout what can be built where and what can't. And many are finding that their oldrules are too rigid, making it too hard and too expensive to build many newhomes.Below are a few of the communities that have tackled zoning reforms andprovided inspiration for municipalities across the country:What are other cities doing?Asheville, NCMilwaukee, WINew York City, NYPortland, OR
Middle Housing initiatives provide equity, access, andempowerment because the entry-level purchase cost is less thana single-family home. Missing Middle Housing types can providepeople of various incomes and experiences the opportunity to livein quality housing and build equity while doing so. Encouraged Middle HousingWhat are other cities doing? 1 of 2Reducing regulatory burdens directly correlates with costsavings and overall economic impact. Studies show that a 25percent reduction in regulatory costs has, on average, a 1percent net positive impact on the GDP. This approach alsolevels the playing field by reducing the barriers to entry for smalland minority-owned developers and builders. Reduced Regulatory BarriersIn cities across the U.S., planners are pushing to eliminatemandates requiring parking spaces in new buildings. Thereforms — along with banning street parking or adding meters —help to reduce car dependency, create public and green spaces,and lower housing costs. Even with modified parking minimums,evidence shows that developers are meeting the individualneeds and desires of neighborhoods.Addressed Parking
Many modern urban planners advocate higher densities, citingaccess to resources, cultural diversity, economic growth,increased demand for goods and services, and cost efficiency.Communities have also experienced that as density increases,the per capita cost of providing services such as water, gas,electricity and waste disposal reduces. Increased DensityMaking walking easier and more accessible can cultivate vibrantcommunities by improving safety, increasing interactionbetween residents, improving local economies, and reducing airpollution. Increased walkability also significantly contributes tothe success of small retail establishments.Increased WalkabilityIncreasing neighborhood density, making walking easier andmore accessible, and leveraging mass transit can cultivatevibrant communities by improving safety, increasing interactionbetween residents, improving local economies, and reducing airpollution. Through the culmination of these benefits smallenterprises thrive.Boosted Small BusinessesWhat are other cities doing? 2 of 2
Outcomes from Similar Community InitiativesWalkable, HealthierCommunitiesReduced regulations Equal opportunities for smalland minority owneddevelopersStablilized Housing PricesBoosted foot traffic to assistsmall retail businessesIncreased Workforce &Affordable Housing
Reverse the harmful impacts of discriminatoryand exclusionary zoning. City of Cincinnati Planning ObjectivesIncrease the typologies and capacity for housingdevelopment across the spectrum. Align our zoning with the historic investment inMETRO and our growing NeighborhoodBusiness Districts. Create new opportunities for more attainablehomeownership. REALTOR® Take: Nationwide REALTORS® are spreadingthe message about the upside of zoning reform, whichgoes beyond affordable housing and includes equity,environmental and economic benefits.
Reassess zoning and regulatorybarriers in the targeted areasCity of Cincinanti Planning Proposal GoalsReduction or Elimination ofParking MinimumsLegalization of “Missing Middle”Housing, Including RowhomesReassess Density and HeightRegulationsImproved, Faster AdministrativeProcessesBetter Landscaping and Pedestrian-Oriented Design StandardsExplore Other Strategic RezoningInclude a look back provision in anyproposalREALTOR® Take: Zoning laws helporganize urban development and protectproperty values.
City of Cincinanti’s Connected CommunitiesThe plan includes the following focus areas:Middle HousingReduced Regulatory BarriersParking Affordable DevelopmentHuman Scale DevelopmentProcess Improvements
City of Cincinanti’s Connected CommunitiesDebunking the MythsLot lines and setbacks are not changingParking is not prohibited but will no longer be required intarget areasAny new development will still need to comply with applicablehistoric building guidelines.Single-family dwellings will not be required to convert tomulti-unit dwellingsThere are no financial incentives for developers to prefer tear-down over rehabNo density restrictions does not mean a free-for-all withregard to design; the policy actually implements designstandards for new missing middle and parking lots Connected Communities does not include AMI restrictionsThe proposal is not City-wide but instead focuses on NBD, BRT,and Major Corridors
+123-456-7890RAGC Supports Connected Communities“As the pulse of Greater Cincinnati's real estate landscape,the REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati stands at theforefront of advocating for initiatives that shape the future ofour communities,” said Board President Tracy Dunne, “It iswith this forward-thinking mindset that we wholeheartedlyendorse Cincinnati’s Connected Communities Initiative.” Advocacy Committee Chair Jeff Rosa said, “This initiativerepresents more than just a plan; it embodies atransformative vision for our urban infrastructure and zoning.It is a much-needed catalyst for change, addressing long-standing challenges while paving the way for future growthand development.”
+123-456-7890RAGC Supports Connected Communities“Connected Communities tackles the pressing issue of housing,”said Heather Kopf, Vice Chair of the Advocacy Committee,“Focusing strategically on increasing housing options, it respondsto the growing demand while ensuring affordability andaccessibility for all residents. By fostering diverse housingopportunities, from affordable housing units to mixed-incomedevelopments, we take steps to stem rising prices and recreateinclusive neighborhoods that thrive.” “According to a 2022 study published in the Land Use PolicyJournal, there is a positive relationship between density andconstant quality home values in the (urban) core area,” notedGovernment Affairs Director Mary Huttlinger. “A 10% increase indensity is associated with a 1–1.9% increase in house prices persquare foot. Another study from the Urban Institute showed a smallbut statistically significant increase in property values nearproperties receiving Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. According tothese studies, single-family homeowners in areas with higher-density development are likely to see an overall increase in theirproperty values.”
cincyrealtoralliance.comVisit Our Website and ConnectedCommunities Tool Kit**Check back often as The Connected Communities ToolKit is updated regularly with new information.