Cleveland's Artisan Neighborhood

Design Review

 
Meeting Information
Meetings of the Ohio City Design Review Committee take place at the offices of LAND Studio (1939 West 25th Street, Suite 200) on the first Thursday of the month at 11:45am year round. From April through October there is an additional meeting on the third Thursday of the month. Meeting dates and agendas can be found HERE.
 
We like to be as accommodating as possible to community members who are interested in attending meetings, though we do have space constraints. If you are a non-applicant who would like to attend a design review meeting, we ask that you notify the Ohio City Design Review Coordinator – Tom McNair at (216) 781-3222 x107 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – no later than 5pm on the Monday before a meeting takes place. This way we can ensure that accommodations can be met.
Ohio City Landmark Historic Districts
Most of Ohio City is encompassed by the Market Square, Ohio City, Lorain Avenue, and Franklin Boulevard – West Clinton Avenue Historic Districts. This places almost all commercial properties in the Neighborhood under the purview of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission. You can see a map of the different local landmark districts in the Neighborhood here. The purpose of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission and its districts is to encourage the preservation of historically and architecturally significant buildings and historic districts within the City of Cleveland. The Landmarks Commission follows the established criteria in the Landmarks Ordinance and uses the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation to review proposed changes.
 
Local Ohio City Design Review Committee
In order to best gain the perspective of the Neighborhoods these designated Landmark Districts are in, the Landmarks Commission uses local design review committees to act as advisory bodies to the Landmarks Commission. The local Ohio City Design Review Committee is staffed by, but independent of Ohio City Incorporated and all of its members are approved by the Landmarks Commission. Currently the local Ohio City design review committee consists of the following members:

Voting Members

Alan Fodor – Architect at Herman, Gibbans Fodor, Inc. in Ohio City and Neighborhood resident
Doug Wahl – Architect at Visio Architects in Ohio City
Michael Fleenor – Director of Preservation Services at the Cleveland Restoration Society
John Williams – Architect at Process Creative Studios in Ohio City
Greg Peckham – Managing Director at LAND Studio in Ohio City and Neighborhood resident
Amanda Dempsey – Market District Director at Ohio City Incorporated and Neighborhood resident
Joe Del Re – COO at MRN and former Neighborhood Resident

Non-Voting Members

Robert Keiser – Secretary at Cleveland Landmarks Commission
Trevor Hunt – City of Cleveland Planning Commission
 
Approval Process
If a business or property owner is considering making physical changes to the exterior of your building or adding signage, it is advised you contact the Ohio City Design Review coordinator – Tom McNair at (216) 781-3222 x107 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – for assistance. The coordinator will review your plans, make sure you have everything you need and schedule a meeting with the local committee. All materials need to be submitted no later than 5:00pm the Thursday before a scheduled meeting. If the submission is not received by that time you will not be placed on the following week’s agenda. There are no exceptions to this rule. Click here for a list of meeting dates and agendas.
 

Step 1:

It is highly recommended to contact the design review coordinator as early as possible for assistance prior to a formal submission to ensure your application is as thorough as possible. The design review coordinator will then review your materials to make sure you have a complete submission and schedule you for an upcoming agenda (see below for submittal checklist).
 

Step 2: 

On the scheduled meeting date you will make a formal presentation to the Ohio City Design Review Committee, who will then discuss and take action on your proposal. They may approve the project as presented, approve the project with recommendations, table the discussion, or disapprove the project. At this time the Cleveland Landmarks Commission will decide if the project will require further review at the Landmarks Commission. Landmarks Commission meetings are the Thursday directly following Ohio City Design Review Committee Meetings. 
 
As the Ohio City Design Review Committee is an advisory committee to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, if you do not agree with their decision you do have the right to appeal the decision to the Landmarks Commission.
 

Step 3:

Upon approval or sign off by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, you can proceed to acquire all necessary permits from the City of Cleveland, Division of Building and Housing. Projects undertaken without the review process and proper permits may be halted by the City until proper procedure has been completed.
 

Check List of Required Materials for Submittal

  1. Site Plan: Indicating all existing and proposed buildings, lot lines, parking areas, driveways, landscaping, sidewalks, signs, etc. which are drawn to scale and show all relevant dimensions and important information.
  2. Elevation Drawings and renderings: Drawn to scale showing all facades being affected, indicating dimensions, materials, lighting, signs, etc. Additional color renderings of the building are preferable if the entire façade is being rehabilitated or in the case of new construction.
  3. Working Construction Drawings: Details and sections for specific items including signage, awnings, windows, etc.
  4. Written Description: Brief but detailed written description of the work proposed , including a description of materials and installation methods
  5. Material Samples
  6. Photos: Color photos of existing subject property in the context of adjoining properties within approximately 50 feet. Historic photos of the property if available are also preferable.
  7. Demolition Requests: Must include documentation of the existing structure as well as drawings and plans explaining the future use of the site.