Just had a LinkedIn notice that a connection got a new job. That connection is:

 

Robert N Brown, FAICP is now City Planning Consultant at Robert N Brown Planning Consultant

 

Did I miss the announcement that Bob Brown resigned as Director of the Cleveland Planning Commision?

Retired.  He's been there forever.

Yup - last month was his last. Not sure who's replacing him though. Perhaps George Cantor or Freddy Collier

This wasn't posted here at the time. So for the record, here it is.....

 

Freddy Collier, Jr. sworn in as Cleveland's new planning director

on July 09, 2014 at 6:00 PM, updated July 09, 2014 at 6:40 PM

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2014/07/freddy_collier_jr_sworn_in_as.html

 

And more recently (like, today!).......

 

Steven Litt ‏@steven_litt  17m

Legendary Norm Krumholz dropped from #Cleveland city planning commission by mayor: @MichaelMcIntyre w/ nice profile: http://bit.ly/1uK2u2U

Bummer, I was always a fan of Mr. Coyne.  I thought he conducted the Planning Commission's meetings well and seemed to "get" urban development.  Fingers crossed we get a solid successor.

 

Anthony Coyne steps down from City Planning Commission after 25 years as member and 16 as chairman

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Friday is the last day on which Anthony Coyne will tap the gavel as chairman of the city's planning commission.

 

The 54-year-old real estate lawyer announced at the outset of Friday morning's commission meeting that he would retire after 25 years as a member and 16 years as chairman.

 

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson showed up to praise Coyne for his service.

 

"He has overseen the development of the City of Cleveland," Jackson told a roomful of city officials who showed up to pay tribute.

 

"What you see happening out here today did not just happen overnight," the mayor continued, referring to redevelopment projects under way in the city. "Mr. Coyne was a part of all of that."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2015/04/anthony_coyne_steps_down_from.html#incart_river

Bummer, I was always a fan of Mr. Coyne.  I thought he conducted the Planning Commission's meetings well and seemed to "get" urban development.  Fingers crossed we get a solid successor.

 

Anthony Coyne steps down from City Planning Commission after 25 years as member and 16 as chairman

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Friday is the last day on which Anthony Coyne will tap the gavel as chairman of the city's planning commission.

 

The 54-year-old real estate lawyer announced at the outset of Friday morning's commission meeting that he would retire after 25 years as a member and 16 years as chairman.

 

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson showed up to praise Coyne for his service.

 

"He has overseen the development of the City of Cleveland," Jackson told a roomful of city officials who showed up to pay tribute.

 

"What you see happening out here today did not just happen overnight," the mayor continued, referring to redevelopment projects under way in the city. "Mr. Coyne was a part of all of that."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2015/04/anthony_coyne_steps_down_from.html#incart_river

 

I nominate KJP as his successor.   

 

I nominate KJP as his successor.   

 

Thanks, but I stepped down as a moderator here because my emotions often dictated how and who I should moderate. I doubt I'd have greater ability to control them in Planning Commission. Besides, I'd have a gavel in my hand in that gig. Can you say "assault with a deadly weapon?!?!"

:bang:

Just in case you wanted to know when and where the principal city planning boards and commissions are scheduled to meet in 2016:

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2016/Scheduling_Room_514_2016.pdf

Mayor Frank Jackson appoints developer Fred Geis to Cleveland's City Planning Commission

By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer

on February 22, 2016 at 2:42 PM, updated February 22, 2016 at 2:43 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – One of the city's most prominent real estate developers is preparing to take a seat on the Cleveland City Planning Commission, the public body that reviews project proposals and establishes sweeping plans for development.

 

Mayor Frank Jackson has appointed Fred Geis to fill a vacant seat on the commission, a seven-member board that meets twice a month. The choice of a high-profile developer, whose current projects include city-owned sites, is being met with surprise, applause and some questions about potential conflicts between Geis's interests and the public good.

 

"The planning commissions existence is predicated on the premise that developers need some restraint, that it's not a good idea to just let her rip, if you know what I mean," said Norman Krumholz, who was the city's planning director from 1969 to 1979 and a member of the commission from 2006 to 2014. "It is very unusual to appoint a developer to the planning commission that is supposed to regulate and control development."

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2016/02/mayor_frank_jackson_appoints_d.html

Krumholz certainly did restrain developers.  What was built in Cleveland between 1969 and 1979 again?

6 new housing building permits issued citywide in all of 1976.

Edited October 7, 20195 yr by KJP

I will say that nearly all of Geis's projects lack a certain level of sophistication and class. It's all so gaudy and overbearing in my opinion. Not sure what to think of him being on planning commission.

Geis's taste level is atrocious. Happy to see his firm revitalizing existing buildings, but can't say I'm keen on his aesthetic or planning sensibility weighing in on other people's projects. Hopefully he'll bring some restraint to the restraint, at least.

I will say that nearly all of Geis's projects lack a certain level of sophistication and class. It's all so gaudy and overbearing in my opinion. Not sure what to think of him being on planning commission.

 

The first thing I thought of upon hearing the announcement was the controversy surrounding the Wild Eagle Saloon at the Planning Commission. He would obviously recuse himself from a similar type of hearing in the future involving one of his projects, but it still would be an awkward situation I think.

6 building permits issued citywide in all of 1976.

 

But he did such wonderful things for mass transit.  </sarc>

 

Belongs next to Porter, Kucinich, and modell in Cleveland history IMO.  Perhaps not as destructive as Battisti, but close.

6 building permits issued citywide in all of 1976.

 

But he did such wonderful things for mass transit.  </sarc>

 

Belongs next to Porter, Kucinich, and modell in Cleveland history IMO.  Perhaps not as destructive as Battisti, but close.[/sarc]

 

Nobody, but NOBODY (not even Modell) approaches Al Porter in the entire annals of Cleveland history.  In terms of the sheer (and ongoing) destructiveness to Cleveland, Porter's a whole library unto himself.

Why Fred Geis should not be on the Cleveland Planning Commission: editorial

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/02/why_fred_geis_should_not_be_on.html

Why Fred Geis should not be on the Cleveland Planning Commission: editorial

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/02/why_fred_geis_should_not_be_on.html

 

Undoubtedly, this appointment give Geis a tremendous competitive advantage over other developers. It's very strange.

It's not as big of a deal as it would seem.  By the time a project comes to the planning commission it's probably several years in the making between acquiring parcels, due diligence, architecture & engineering...  Not like Geis is hearing about hot deals on the planning commission.  At that point it's old news, merely a formality

It's not as big of a deal as it would seem.  By the time a project comes to the planning commission it's probably several years in the making between acquiring parcels, due diligence, architecture & engineering...  Not like Geis is hearing about hot deals on the planning commission.  At that point it's old news, merely a formality

 

Even if that's true, any time Geis takes any kind of stance that's adverse to a developer's plans it's going to look bad. 

Even if that's true, any time Geis takes any kind of stance that's adverse to a developer's plans it's going to look bad.

 

Or vice versa, when he approves a plan that is unpopular among local block clubs.

When Geis released the first plans for the Midtown Tech Park, it featured a rather large suburban-style front lawn. It had to be explained to him that they would have to change the design to match the zoning. He didn't seem to understand the concept. I'm not sure if these original plans were actually released to the public, but I've heard this from a pretty reliable source.

The planning commission imo dropped the ball when they approved the "revamped" zoning code. Typical Cleveland move.

 

It's important to note, however, that the specific overlay proposed for the Warehouse District underwent some last-minute dilution before the planning commission approved it.

 

Instead of simply requiring developers to wrap the primary and secondary frontages of parking garages with offices, retail or housing, the new language states that a developer could also provide a garage with a façade "that does not appear as a parking structure."

That's pretty much the same as saying blank walls are OK, and that's not good enough for the Warehouse District or the rest of downtown, should the city decide to apply the new zoning overlay elsewhere.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2016/03/new_downtown_zoning_should_avo.html#incart_river_home

The planning commission imo dropped the ball when they approved the "revamped" zoning code. Typical Cleveland move.

 

It's important to note, however, that the specific overlay proposed for the Warehouse District underwent some last-minute dilution before the planning commission approved it.

 

Instead of simply requiring developers to wrap the primary and secondary frontages of parking garages with offices, retail or housing, the new language states that a developer could also provide a garage with a façade "that does not appear as a parking structure."

That's pretty much the same as saying blank walls are OK, and that's not good enough for the Warehouse District or the rest of downtown, should the city decide to apply the new zoning overlay elsewhere.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2016/03/new_downtown_zoning_should_avo.html#incart_river_home

 

Steven Litt has never been so 100 percent right.

 

The city needs to be more aggressive about undoing the past damage, but instead they will continue to allow it....it's demoralizing.

I t seems to be some typical half-assery to me.  They should design the code to require retail uses at ground level.  If anyone wants tp veer then they should request a variance and provide a good reason why the need to veer.

Steven Litt has never been so 100 percent right.

 

The city needs to be more aggressive about undoing the past damage, but instead they will continue to allow it....it's demoralizing.

 

How do you go about undoing it?  The buildings in question were approved and built over 30 yrs ago.  Coming up with new design criteria is great but there's no way to enforce it retroactively...

Steven Litt has never been so 100 percent right.

 

The city needs to be more aggressive about undoing the past damage, but instead they will continue to allow it....it's demoralizing.

 

How do you go about undoing it?  The buildings in question were approved and built over 30 yrs ago.  Coming up with new design criteria is great but there's no way to enforce it retroactively...

 

Probably get tossed out in court if they tried.

Steven Litt has never been so 100 percent right.

 

The city needs to be more aggressive about undoing the past damage, but instead they will continue to allow it....it's demoralizing.

 

How do you go about undoing it?  The buildings in question were approved and built over 30 yrs ago.  Coming up with new design criteria is great but there's no way to enforce it retroactively...

 

You can provide tax incentives to help effect change. Just one example is what you see in Cleveland Heights and Lakewood with the Madison storefront renovation program.

Cleveland also has a Storefront Renovation Program- but it's geared towards improving existing storefronts.  But it would be tremendously expensive to retroactively make ground floors of parking garages into storefronts.  And until we actually have all our existing storefronts filled it is probably not the most effective use for that money.

Cleveland also has a Storefront Renovation Program- but it's geared towards improving existing storefronts.  But it would be tremendously expensive to retroactively make ground floors of parking garages into storefronts.  And until we actually have all our existing storefronts filled it is probably not the most effective use for that money.

 

Here's a cheap solution for the time being. Also, empty storefronts aren't necessarily an indicator that there are too many. Providing additional retail space could drive down rates enough so there is more opportunity for small business to get a foothold. Anyhow this is seed planting. If we want to kill these ridiculous dead zones we have every reason to try something a little unorthodox.

^They've been doing this in the Warehouse District for 2 years (ish?). I wonder what success, if any, they've had.

There's only two or three containers there. So I'd say it's not too successful.

It's a great idea, but the execution has to be there. One or two aren't going to make much of an impact. A certain amount of retail is required to create critical mass.

 

People keep saying there's already too many empty storefronts downtown; proof that downtown doesn't need any more retail. Well by that logic Tower City Mall doesn't need any more retail either.

 

 

Does anyone know how many architects and designers are on the commission?  The reason I ask is that I would like to see more attention paid to beauty and design. We have focused for the past fifty years or so on efficiency and utility. Are most of the people on the commission developers and engineers?  People seem to want good design now. Streetscapes are being redone as pleasant pedestrian spaces. 

It's a great idea, but the execution has to be there. One or two aren't going to make much of an impact. A certain amount of retail is required to create critical mass.

 

People keep saying there's already too many empty storefronts downtown; proof that downtown doesn't need any more retail. Well by that logic Tower City Mall doesn't need any more retail either.

 

 

 

I didn't say we don't need more retail.  I did say that we'd be acting stupidly to spend a lot of money to convert spaces that are poorly suited to retail while actual retail space go empty. If someone wants to build new actual retail space, then have at.

It's a great idea, but the execution has to be there. One or two aren't going to make much of an impact. A certain amount of retail is required to create critical mass.

 

People keep saying there's already too many empty storefronts downtown; proof that downtown doesn't need any more retail. Well by that logic Tower City Mall doesn't need any more retail either.

 

 

 

I didn't say we don't need more retail.  I did say that we'd be acting stupidly to spend a lot of money to convert spaces that are poorly suited to retail while actual retail space go empty. If someone wants to build new actual retail space, then have at.

 

But "poorly suited for retail"  means what exactly? There's an alleyway in downtown Columbus that's getting retail. Yet there are no existing storefronts. Why is that? It's a concerted effort to bring life into a lifeless area. It requires more than someone wanting to do it. It needs to be something the city is behind.

Why?  What makes it a priority?  What makes it make sense?  Of the other hundreds of ideas competing for limited resources, what makes this the one that should get them?

Retail needs to be a priority because it's an essential part of urban life, one in which Cleveland makes a very poor showing.  We are competing with cities that have found a way to make it work.  We will continue to lose jobs and residents from our urban core until we can too.  The market is very limited for this retail-lite version of city living.

Why?  What makes it a priority?  What makes it make sense?  Of the other hundreds of ideas competing for limited resources, what makes this the one that should get them?

 

It makes sense because it lays the groundwork for makes the neighborhood a much more welcoming, functional, safe and livable place. Commerce is the engine of our economy. Blank walls and dead zones in the WD and anywhere do not foster anything positive. They're planning mistakes that should by no means be continued. There's long and short term fixes that can be applied asap and without much initial cost; a little bit of will power and a little bit of investment is all. We want a lively city with more activity. It's what separates a lively place from a forlorn grey concrete wasteland. Retail districting is the easy answer.

 

The city can and should do more to help foster entrepreneurial spirit. Providing cheap places for commerce is seed planting. Here's the concept, better stated:

 

“We want to encourage the development of small scale permanent retailing in Pearl and Lynn Alleys,” he stated. “There are very few places in Downtown where one can create clusters of starter spaces for retail. The improvements will help encourage development of the alley system. It’s designed to draw people through.”

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,419.1225.html#ixzz423x27hf5

 

Why?  What makes it a priority?  What makes it make sense?  Of the other hundreds of ideas competing for limited resources, what makes this the one that should get them?

 

It makes sense because it lays the groundwork for makes the neighborhood a much more welcoming, functional, safe and livable place. Commerce is the engine of our economy. Blank walls and dead zones in the WD and anywhere do not foster anything positive. They're planning mistakes that should by no means be continued. There's long and short term fixes that can be applied asap and without much initial cost; a little bit of will power and a little bit of investment is all. We want a lively city with more activity. It's what separates a lively place from a forlorn grey concrete wasteland. Retail districting is the easy answer.

 

The city can and should do more to help foster entrepreneurial spirit. Providing cheap places for commerce is seed planting. Here's the concept, better stated:

 

“We want to encourage the development of small scale permanent retailing in Pearl and Lynn Alleys,” he stated. “There are very few places in Downtown where one can create clusters of starter spaces for retail. The improvements will help encourage development of the alley system. It’s designed to draw people through.”

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,419.1225.html#ixzz423x27hf5

 

 

Are they trying to attract tourism by implying it's haunted??

Developer Fred Geis resigns from Cleveland City Planning Commission to avoid potential conflict

By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer

on September 26, 2016 at 10:11 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Seven months after he took a seat on the Cleveland City Planning Commission, developer Fred Geis has stepped down to avoid a possible clash between his part-time role on a public body and his day job in real estate.

 

A city spokesman confirmed by email that Geis tendered his resignation Sept. 12. The spokesman referred all follow-up questions to Geis, who said he made the decision based on the advice of his lawyers.

 

"I can either do business in the city of Cleveland or be on planning commission," Geis said. "And, at this point, I think I still make a little bit of a greater difference by doing business in the city. ... The city, in no way, played a part in this. It was just something that wasn't feasible on my side."

 

MORE:

http://realestate.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2016/09/developer_fred_geis_resigns_fr.html

^ Duh.

Is there a Design Review Committee meeting this week? I thought there was but nothing has been posted on the CPC website.

Is there a Design Review Committee meeting this week? I thought there was but nothing has been posted on the CPC website.

 

Do you mean for downtown/flats? They only meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, and this week is the 5th

Yes. No wonder why! I'm going into withdrawal here....

Tomorrow's CPC meeting will discuss "La Villa Hispana".  Is that eventually going to be a specific place or the general area around Clark-W25th (and west) favored by Hispanics?

I still didn't get an answer to my question.  :-( 

 

Is La Villa Hispana (o mejor La Villa Latina, quizás) intended to be the area centered west of Clark and W25th? 

I still didn't get an answer to my question.  :-( 

 

Is La Villa Hispana (o mejor La Villa Latina, quizás) intended to be the area centered west of Clark and W25th? 

 

Best answer I could find...

https://plainpress.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/forum-seeks-to-shape-vision-for-la-villa-hispana/

It already is. I reported on it years ago when I was with Sun. La Villa Hispania has long been a name to describe the enclave of the Clark-Metro neighborhood centered on Clark /West 25th Street, much the way Hingetown is an enclave of Ohio City along Detroit Avenue west of West 25th Street.

They are doing a corridor plan for Clark Rd all the way out to w. 65th.  Probably has something to do with that.