Cleveland Committee on Development Planning and Sustainability Meeting - February 3, 2026
Committee on Development Planning and Sustainability - February 3, 2026
The Committee on Development Planning and Sustainability convened on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to address three primary ordinances. The meeting featured presentations on designating a historic bank branch as a landmark, updating fees for the Board of Building Standards, and securing an option agreement for a new affordable housing development in Ohio City. In the absence of Chair Santana, the committee proceeded with approval of all three items following Q&A sessions with staff, project sponsors, and council members.
Consent Calendar
- Ordinance 1451-2025: Designated the former Cleveland Trust Company West Park branch (Cam's Corners) as a Cleveland Landmark. The Committee unanimously approved the designation after a presentation by Cleveland Landmarks staff detailing the building's 1927 history and architectural significance.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Councilman Slife (Ward 15): Expressed strong support for the landmark designation. He highlighted the importance of acknowledging neighborhood history, noting that Ward 15 currently has only one landmark (before this one) compared to other areas, and described the building as a "very beautiful" site that will bring the landmark count to four in the ward.
- Councilman Davis (Ward 7): Expressed excitement for the affordable housing project and the option agreement. He described the legislation as a technical necessity to secure funding without triggering federal restrictions (choice-limiting activity), thanking the team for their continued community engagement.
- Councilwoman Gray (Ward 4): Expressed full support for the affordable housing initiative, emphasizing the need for similar projects in her ward. She clarified a question regarding demolition, confirming the project involves redeveloping the site rather than simply renovating the existing 1970s structure.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 1536-2025 (Board of Building Standards Fees): Presented by Carmela Davis and Callie Mercman, this ordinance proposes raising hearing fees to align with state-mandated expedited hearing requirements.
- Fee Changes: Owner-occupied single-family appeals would rise from $15 to $20; non-owner-occupied multi-family appeals would rise from $30 to $65; time extension appeals would be set at $30. An optional expedited hearing for adjudication orders (hearing within 48 hours) is set at $500, as mandated by Senate Bill 6.
- Discussion: Councilman Slife expressed concern about the "pay-to-play" nature of the $500 expedited fee but acknowledged it would help manage the Board's docket. Councilman Bishop and Councilwoman Gray sought clarification on the process for violations not requiring expedited hearings, receiving confirmation that standard hearings allow for additional time based on inspector reports and seasonal conditions, with further fees only applicable for additional time extensions beyond granted deadlines.
- Ordinance 28-2026 (Penrose Options Agreement): Trudy Andrewski and Jeff Mills (Penrose) proposed an option to lease agreement for the former McCafferty Health Center site (4242 Lorraine Avenue) for the development of 62-72 affordable housing units.
- Project Details: The project aims to provide units ranging from 30% to 70% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with rents for a one-person household ranging from $122 (30% AMI) to $1,800 (40-person household at 70% AMI). The development will include mixed-use space for Ohio City Incorporated.
- Demolition Clarification: Councilwoman Gray was informed that while the specific unit count is between 62-72, the existing 1970s structure is proposed for demolition to maximize site density and efficiency. The site is not a contributing structure to the local landmark district.
- Funding & Timeline: The option agreement is required to secure over $1 million in federal funding and apply for the 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The committee noted the uncertainty of the award process in the new Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) but acknowledged the site's high scoring potential.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 1451-2025: Approved. Designates the Cam's Corners Bank Building as a Cleveland Landmark.
- Ordinance 1536-2025: Approved. Establishes new fee structures for the Board of Building Standards, including a $500 fee for expedited hearings and increased standard filing fees.
- Ordinance 28-2026: Approved. Authorizes the Director of Development to enter into an option agreement with Penrose Holdings, LLC for the 4242 Lorraine Avenue site to secure financial backing and advance site control for the affordable housing project.
- Next Steps: Penrose will utilize this agreement to submit for the 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit by the end of the month, targeting a closing in April or May 2027 and construction completion by September 2028.
Meeting Transcript
Today is Tuesday, February 3rd. We're going to call the Committee of Development Planning and Sustainability to Order. Madam Clerk, could you take the role present? Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, please excuse Chair Santana. She is out on a family issue today. Uh we have a rather light agenda, so we're just going to get rolling with it. Um, and I guess we will start here with ordinance 1451, 2025, which is an emergency ordinance designating the Cam's Corners Bank Building, the former Cleveland Trust Company West Park branch as a Cleveland Landmark. Mr. Carl Brunes. If I am terrible with names, but I think I have your name memorized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Carl Brunges. Good morning. Welcome to Cleveland Landmark staff. Yes, sir. Uh, we have one new member of council on this committee today, Councilman Davis. So I think you might know a lot of these folks already, but um if not, I want to make sure that everybody knows everybody. So uh met at some point. Uh this is your show. I hand it over to you. Thank you very much. Uh the Cleveland Landmarks Commission nominated the building for landmark status on February 13th, 2025. Uh since written consent from the owner was not received, a public hearing was held on August 18th. Uh we've made multiple attempts to contact the owner, but they have not commented either for or against the designation. The building is located at the northeast corner of Lorraine Avenue and Rocky River Drive at Cam's Corners. The Cleveland Trust Company had its origins as a planned safety deposit box company in 1893. In 1894, state laws were modified, allowing for trust companies to also conduct safety deposit and banking business, so as long as they kept those set activities separate. Taking residence in the newly built Garfield Building, the bank officially opened in September 1895. The banking business took over a portion of the first floor while the trust business and safety deposit vaults remained in the basement until 1898. After a merger with the Western Reserve Trust Company, the main banking room moved down the street to the corner of Euclid Avenue at Public Square in the Williamson Building. The acquisition of the Windermere Savings Bank also at this time became the first of many as they looked to expand to have a bank in every neighborhood. And by mid-1920, there were 23 branches. There were 52 branches. A prominent location in the growing community was ideal. He designed several renovation programs for the company and new buildings in Bedford, Cleveland Heights, Painesville, and Lakewood. This was an important style for banks at the time, which implied both stability and strength. The building was opened on June 11th, 1927. At the end of the year of completion, there were now 57 branches. The building is constructed of limestone. Ionic columns flank the central entrance on Lorraine Avenue. Simple classic piers separate the bays, and a central classicized parapet rises above the entrance. A rear addition, likely for drive-thru banking, was added in 1960. By 1977, there were 120 branches and five billion dollars in assets. Ameritrust ceased to exist when it was acquired by Society National Bank in 1991. The building was restored in conjunction with the city storefront renovation program. There's a view post that renovation. The OB McClintock Company was a successor to the McClintock Loomis Company and produced bank clocks of this nature from 1917 to 1949. This clock was previously installed at the first National Bank of Gettysburg in about 1926, which is pictured here.
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