CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WOIO) - A design contest for small house built in backyards -- funded through a grant from AARP -- produced five winners. But the ultimate winner could be the entire county as it ages and deals with houses getting older as well.
“Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, we had carriage houses,” said Mary Cierebiej, Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. “But the thing that we found is, zoning doesn’t really accommodate those things.” unique tiny homes
The old solution for keeping loved ones near was a carriage house. The new solution is an ADU, Accessory Dwelling Unit, helping an aging population get into a new home close to family.
“We got houses that are not really accommodating to an older generation and families trying to live with each other or near each other,” said Cierebiej.
The contest called for designs for homes small enough for a backyard, plans the city could give to residents to avoid design costs and zoning commissions.
“The variance is approximately six-hundred square feet to eleven-hundred square feet,” explained Eric Zamft, Director of Planning and Development for Cleveland Heights.
“Approved or pre-approved by the city and then made available to the public for no fee or maybe a licensing fee for that architect,” Zemft finished.
Although Cleveland Heights hosted the contest, the results can resonate through the entire county.
“Going forward, I think this will be a really good way for other cities throughout the county to kind of replicate their process for streamlining and really maximizing the space on their lot,” said Erik Engle, Principal Planner for the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission.
“Cleveland Heights has been a fantastic partner in this,” said Cierebiej.
“When we contracted with the county, when we reached out to them, we said, ‘We’re going to pay for this but we want this aa a tool that anybody can utilize,‘” added Zamft.
Usage for ADUs can include rental property, starter homes for kids, even keeping parents in their homes while family members live in the ADU as another way to care for the aging population.
“We can make sure we’re aging in place and being healthy, being active, and having those opportunities to live near family members,” said Cierebiej.
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