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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 fromdecades of discriminatory zoning that has left ourcity segregated, unsustainable, and nowincreasingly unaffordable. We are growing for the first time in decades but lagbehind peer cities significantly in permitting newhousing. To have a vibrant, growing Cincinnati that benefitsall our residents, we must have a bold andintentional vision for new housing and increaseddensity while streamlining the process for itscreation. Targeting our neighborhood business districts andmajor commercial transit corridors, ConnectedCommunities sets the vision for the future ofhousing development in Cincinnati.
+123-456-7890Cincinnati LandscapeCincinnati is #1 in rate increases for housing in thecountry, ahead of even NYC, Miami, and Chicago The Cincinnati region’s median home valuejumped from $132,000 in 2016 to $229,000 in 2023—a 73% increase. Over the same period, wagesonly increased 37%. The City is no longer affordable for a large portion ofCity residents The current City code disproportionately favorssingle-family homes, the most expensive housingtype Regulatory processes deter small and minority-owned developers and favor large developers withdeep pocketsLast year, the City’s population grew by over 12,000new residents but lost over 2,000 housing units
+123-456-7890Cincinnati LandscapeThe disparity between supply and demand iscausing artificially high pricing; additional supply isneeded to course-correct Not all of Cincinnati’s residential business districtscurrently have the foot traffic to prospereconomicallyREALTORS® view six months of available housinginventory as a healthy, balanced market; yet today,in the Greater Cincinnati region, the market barelyoffers two months of inventory Close to 41% of renters in Cincinnati are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their incomeon 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, scant few homeson 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.What are other cities doing?Asheville, NCMilwaukee, WINew York City, NYPortland, OR
Middle Housing initiatives provide equiity, access, and empowermentbecause the entry-level purchase cost is less than a single-family home,Missing Middle Housing types can provide people of various incomes andexperiences the opportunity to live in quality housing and build equity whiledoing so. Encouraged Middle HousingWhat are other cities doing? 1 of 2Reducing regulatory burdens has a direct correlation with cost savingsand overall economic impact. Studies show that a 25 percent reductionin regulatory costs has, on average, a 1 percent net positive impact onthe GDP. This approach also levels the playing field by reducing thebarriers to entry for small and miinority owned developers and builders. Reduced Regulatory BarriersIn cities across the U.S., planners are pushing to eliminate mandatesrequiring parking spaces in new buildings. The reforms — along withbanning street parking or adding meters — help to reduce cardependency, create public and green spaces, and lower housing costs.Even with modified parking minimums, evidence shows that developersare meeting the individual needs and desires for neighborhoods.Addressed Parking
Many modern urban planners advocate higher densities, citing access toresources, cultural diversity, economic growth, increased demand forgoods and services, and cost efficiency. Communities have alsoexperienced that as density increases, the per capita cost of providingservices such as water, gas, electricity and waste disposal reduces. Increased DensityMaking walking easier and more accessible can cultivate vibrantcommunities by improving safety, increasing interaction betweenresidents, improving local economies, and reducing air pollution.Increased walkabiliity also significantly contributes to the success ofsmall retail establishments.Increased WalkabilityMaking walking easier and more accessible, increasing neighborhooddensity, and leveraging mass transit can cultivate vibrant communitiesby improving safety, increasing interaction between residents, improvinglocal economies, and reducing air pollution. Through the culmination ofthese benefits small enterprises 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® arespreading the message about the upside ofzoning reform, which goes beyond affordablehousing and includes equity, environmental andeconomic 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 lawshelp organize urbandevelopment 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 in targetareasAny new development will still need to comply with applicablehistorical guidelines.Single-family dwellings will not be required to convert to multi-unit dwellingsThere are no financial incentives for developers to prefer tear-down over rehabNo density restrictions does not mean a free-for-all with regardto design; the policy actually implements design standards fornew 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 ofhousing,” said Heather Kopf, Vice Chair of the AdvocacyCommittee, “Focusing strategically on increasing housingoptions, it responds to the growing demand while ensuringaffordability and accessibility for all residents. By fosteringdiverse housing opportunities, from affordable housing unitsto mixed-income developments, we take steps to stem risingprices and recreate inclusive 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,” noted Government Affairs Director Mary Huttlinger. “A 10%increase in density is associated with a 1–1.9% increase inhouse prices per square foot. And another study from theUrban Institute showed a small but statistically significantincrease in property values near properties receiving Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. According to these studies,single-family homeowners in areas with higher-densitydevelopment are likely to see an overall increase in theirproperty values.”
cincyrealtoralliance.comVisit Our Website and ConnectedCommunities Took Kit**Check back often as The Connected Communities TookKit is updated regularly with timely information.