City Planning and Engagement

 

Who We Are

The Department of City Planning and Engagement consists of a high-performance team that guides land use, zoning, and historic preservation decisions for the city, and fosters community engagement in all city processes. Through sound planning practices, our department ensures that our great city is enriched with vitality, thrives as an urban center, and is a model to other cities nationwide. 

Our Vision is to create an aesthetically appealing and vibrant urban center supported by thriving neighborhoods that is a model for cities nationwide. Our Mission is to use creative planning principles to guide land use while ensuring excellent customer service and fostering safe and sustainable development.
 

Our Responsibilities

The department consists of four divisions, as well as a director, two supervisors, and two administrative staff. The Planning and Engagement divisions are overseen by the Planning Division Manager, and the Zoning and Historic Conservation divisions are overseen by the Zoning Administrator. Each division has its own individual tasks and responsibilities, including the different applications they process and the various Board and Commissions they administer. These responsibilities are outlined below.

Planning

The Planning Division is responsible for staffing the City Planning Commission, including processing zone change and subdivision applications; Developing special plans, including the Comprehensive Plan, Community Plans, Consolidated Plans, and Neighborhood Studies; Assisting in developing and modifying the Zoning Code, Subdivision Rules and Regulations, and other land use regulatory processes; Managing federally funded program reviews, including environmental reviews; Managing Planned Developments and Interim Development Control Overlay Districts; Providing demographic, mapping, and analysis services; and assisting other City Departments with special projects as assigned. There are seven staff members in this division. 
 

Zoning

The Zoning Division is responsible for enforcing and interpreting the Zoning Code, including staffing the Zoning Hearings, processing applications for variances, conducting building permit reviews, and reviewing all development proposals for conformance with special districts such as the Hillside Development and Urban Design Overlay Standards. There are four staff members in this division. 
 

Engagement

The Engagement Division is responsible for implementing the citywide community engagement plan, providing education and training for staff and the public on available city resources, and facilitating inclusive planning processes for community and economic development projects. There are two staff members in this division. 
 

Historic Conservation

The Historic Conservation Office is responsible for staffing the Historic Conservation Board, including processing applications for Historic Designations and Historic Districts; administering the City's historic preservation program, including permit reviews for all development in Historic Districts or on Historic Landmarks; and ensuring compliance of the City's programs with federal and state regulations, including conducting Section 106 reviews. There is one staff member in this division.
 

Who We Serve

The Department primarily works with three broad entities: the public, applicants, and elected officials. In serving the public, staff acts as the link between residents and their government, as well as residents and developers. This includes hosting engagement meetings, workshops, and public staff conferences to collect feedback and input, disseminating application information and notice of upcoming development projects, and communicating this information to applicants and decision-makers to help them better respond to the needs of the community. 

In serving applicants, staff works to process applications timely and effectively, assist applicants in navigating the development process, including any necessary hearings or approvals, and ensure projects are in alignment with the City's broader vision. Lastly, in serving elected officials, staff provides mapping, data, and research services when requested to help provide a solid, factual basis for legislative decision-making in Cincinnati.