Click here for information about Commercial Development in Lakewood

The Lakewood Community Vision is an expression of where we stand as a community and where we hope to be in the future. To see the Vision, click here.

The Lakewood Small Business Grant Program (SBPG) offers local business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to locate in/relocate to the City a 100% forgivable loan up to 15% of total start-up or expansion project costs. Funding is scaled to fill the gap between total project costs and the sum of 75%+ SBA-financing and the business owner’s required 10% equity contribution.

Requirements

• Minimum 10% owner equity contribution
• Minimum 75%+ SBA loan financing
• SBA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consultation
• New Job creation & reporting

Loan Terms

• Forgiven over 3-5 years
• 0% interest
• No payments

Eligible Uses

• Leasehold improvements
• Real estate acquisition
• New construction
• Exterior building improvements
• Signage
• Selected equipment

*other uses considered on a case-by-case basis

Application Evaluation Criteria

• # full-time equivalent jobs created
• Return on investment (e.g. annual payroll * 1.5% municipal income tax rate)
• Repayment period (# years to repay grant via payroll taxes)
• Owner/entrepreneur’s experience & track record
• Neighborhood/commercial district & overall economic impact

Get started by completing the SBPG Intake Form!

For additional information contact  Dan Wyman @ 216.529.7680 / daniel.wyman@lakewoodoh.net. 

Click here to see presentation that was given at the meeting with neighbors on November 27, 2018 about the proposed development at the Wingstar and Educators Music properties.

The presentation covers the proposed plans as well as the process the project is required to go through.

2019 UPDATE: The project was scaled back from the original proposal presented in 2018.  Rather than going through Planned Development rezoning for the property, the project is now proposed utilizing the existing zoning. The revised plans presented to Architectural Board of Review are available here.

Madison on the Move is the collective name for a number of ongoing projects along Madison Avenue. The city has invested millions of dollars to transform the city’s second-busiest commercial district, with investments ranging from a complete resurfacing project to a focused storefront renovation program.

Help Lakewood’s community of soon-to-be entrepreneurs turn their ideas into business realities. Startup Lakewood Initiative is a program approved by the City of Lakewood, which is geared toward making Lakewood a more appealing place for entrepreneurs to build and grow ideas into legitimate businesses.

To get more information, or to find out how to get involved, email info@startuplakewood.com.

• The Board of Building Standards reviews applications for variances to the city’s Building Code.
• The Architectural Board of Review considers architectural proposal for commercial and residential properties.
• The Sign Review Board reviews all sign proposals, including those that require a variance.
• The Planning Commission reviews requests for lot consolidations, lot splits, major and minor subdivisions, determination of similar and conditional use.
• The seven-member Loan Approval Board reviews and approves applications for the various rehabilitation programs offered by the City of Lakewood’s Division of Community Development (DCD).
• The Board of Zoning Appeals reviews applications for variances to the zoning code.
• The Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board has been established to serve in an advisory capacity for the purpose of educating, informing, and making recommendations to City Officials, Departments, Boards and Commissions, and the community on matters relating to historic preservation.

For more information about any of the boards or commissions, or to request past agendas or related materials, call the planning department at 216-529-6630.

• Application to serve on Board/Commission
• Architectural Board of Review/Sign Review/Board of Building Standards Application
• Board of Zoning Appeals Application
• Lakewood Planning Commission Application
• To nominate a Lakewood property for historic designation, click here.

• Commercial Design Guide
• Understanding Bike Lanes in Lakewood
• Understanding Shared Lane Markings in Lakewood
• 12th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Presentation
• Contractor Section 3 Screening Form
• 2012 Housing Survey Map
• Parking Meter Permit Program for Businesses
• Small Business is Big Business in Lakewood
• Financial and Technical Resources
• Tips on securing your Certificate of Occupancy
• Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines
• Zoning Map
• Building Line Map

• COMMUNITY CONFLUENCE A Transportation For Livable Communities Initiative Planning Study 2021
• Edwards Ave Area Parking Study (2020 Update)
• Bicycle Master Plan
• Gold Coast Master Plan Presentation
• City-Wide Parking Study
• Lakewood Park Master Plan
• Detroit Avenue Streetscape Plan
• Birdtown Action Plan
• Kauffman Park Master Plan
• Uptown Madison Parking Study
• Parking Study Book, March 2010
• Parks System Strategic Plan 2015
• Parks System Strategic Plan 2010

ESG-CV Round II Funding Notice

Public Hearing Notice-Proposed Uses of CARES Act Funding-Lakewood OH

FY19 Action Plan CARES Act Amendment Summary

Proposed Uses for CARES Act Funding –  Lakewood, OH

Lakewood Community Services Center CARES Act Funding Requests & Presentation

LCSC Emergency Food Assistance Funding Request (CDBG-CV)

LCSC Homelessness Prevention Assistance Funding Request (ESG-CV)

LCSC COVID-19 Response Funding Requests Presentation

Citizen Participation Plan-Lakewood OH

2020 HUD Income Limits

The City of Lakewood is deeply committed to promoting non-discrimination; affirmatively furthering fair housing choice;  enforcing local, state, and federal fair housing law; identifying and eliminating barriers to fair housing choice; disseminating information regarding fair housing rights and obligations; and ensuring residents and those seeking accommodations in Lakewood enjoy equal access to decent, safe, affordable housing.

The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, National Origin, Disability and Familial Status.

Chapter 516 of Lakewood’s Codified Ordinances  expands the list of protected classes from (7) to (9) by prohibiting discrimination in housing on the basis of both Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression.

FAIR HOUSING COMPLAINT ASSISTANCE

City of Lakewood

If you are a Lakewood resident and believe your fair housing rights have been violated, please complete Lakewood’s Fair Housing Complaint Information Form  and contact:

Dan Wyman
Fair Housing Officer
216-529-7680
daniel.wyman@lakewoodoh.net

Housing Research & Advocacy Center

The Housing Research & Advocacy Center also processes fair housing complaints on behalf of Lakewood residents.

Additional Fair Housing Complaint Resources

Ohio Civil Rights Commission

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

• Online Complaint Form
• Housing Discrimination Complaint iOS App
• Housing Discrimination Complaint Android App

ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE (AI)

As a recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Lakewood must affirmatively further fair housing choice. The city’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) is critical to meeting this obligation.

The AI process involves a thorough examination of a variety of sources related to housing, affirmatively furthering fair housing, the fair housing delivery system and housing transactions, particularly for persons who are protected under fair housing law. AI sources include census data, employment and income information, home mortgage application data, federal and state fair housing complaint information, surveys of housing industry experts and stakeholders, and related information found in the public domain.

An AI also includes an active and involved public input and review process via direct contact with stakeholders, public forums to collect input from citizens and interested parties, distribution of draft reports for citizen review and formal presentations of findings and actions the city will undertake to overcome the identified impediments.

FAIR HOUSING ACTION PLAN

Lakewood’s Fair Housing Action Plan sets forth specific actions the city will take to affirmatively further fair housing and address the impediments to fair housing choice identified in the Analysis of Impediments.

LAKEWOOD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Lakewood’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) was established in 2016 as part of the city’s comprehensive Human Rights Ordinance which protects citizens from discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. The HRC receives, initiates, investigates, conciliates, and adjudicated complaints alleging unlawful discrimination and partners with community stakeholders in the development of education and outreach programs regarding equal opportunity and fair housing choice. The commission is comprised of Lakewood’s Director of Planning & Development (or his or her designee); a mayoral appointee; and a City Council appointee and members may serve one three year term.

FAIR HOUSING LINKS

National Fair Housing Advocate Online

National Fair Housing Alliance

Fair Housing Accessibility First

Federal Fair Housing Laws & Presidential Executive Orders

Lakewood’s Citizens Advisory Committee 

About Lakewood’s Citizens Advisory Committee
Lakewood Citizen Participation Plan
FY22 CAC Roster

Lakewood’s Federal Funding Streams

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

CDBG & ESG Funding Allocations (2015-2021)

CDBG Allocations (2015-2021)
ESG Allocations (2015-2021)

Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Plans & Reports

FY20-FY24 HUD Consolidated Plan
FY21 City of Lakewood HUD Annual Action Plan
FY20 City of Lakewood HUD Annual Performance Report

FY22 CAC Schedules

FY22 CAC Meetings & Hearings Schedule REVISED
FY22 Applicant Presentation Schedule REVISED

FY22 City Administration CDBG & ESG Allocation Recommendations

FY22 HUD Annual Action Plan – Proposed Contingency Provision Language

FY22 CAC Session Agendas

CAC Session #1 Agendas (9.8.21) REVISED
CAC Session #2 Agenda (9.15.21)
CAC Session #3 Agenda (9.22.21)
CAC Session #4 Agenda (9.29.21)

FY22 Applicant Narratives, Funding Requests & Presentations

Presentation Session 1 (9.8.21)

Neighborhood Family Practice (Link to Website)

Neighborhood Family Practice FY22 Applicant Narrative
FY22 Health Services Funding Request (CDBG)
Neighborhood Family Practice Presentation

Lakewood Department of Public Works (Link to Website)

Department of Public Works FY22 Applicant Narrative
FY22 Street & Water Main Improvements Funding Request
Department of Public Works Presentation

Lakewood Community Services Center (Link to Website)

Lakewood Community Services Center FY22 Applicant Narrative
Lakewood Community Services Center FY22 ESG Applicant Narrative Addendum
FY22 Food Pantry Funding Request (CDBG) REVISED
FY22 Homelessness Prevention Assistance Funding Request (ESG)
FY22 Emergency Shelter Services Funding Request (ESG)
Lakewood Community Services Center Presentation

Presentation Session 2 (9.15.21)

Lakewood Division of Aging (Link to Website)

Division of Aging FY22 Applicant Narrative
FY22 Senior Supportive Services Funding Request (CDBG)
Division of Aging Presentation

LakewoodAlive  (Link to Website)

LakewoodAlive FY22 Applicant Narrative
FY22 Housing Outreach Funding Request (CDBG)
FY22 Paint Rebate Program Funding Request (CDBG)
LakewoodAlive Presentation

Lakewood Department of Planning & Development (Link to Website)

FY22 CDBG & ESG Administration Funding Request (CDBG & ESG)
FY22 Project Pride Code Enforcement Funding Request (CDBG)
FY22 Economic Development Loan Fund Funding Request (CDBG)

Presentation Session 3 (9.22.21)

Journey Center for Safety & Healing (Link to Website)

Journey Center FY22 Applicant Narrative
FY22 Victim Advocacy Services Funding Request (CDBG)
Journey Center for Safety & Healing Presentation

Lakewood Division of Early Childhood (Link to Website)

Division of Early Childhood FY22 Applicant Narrative
FY22 Childcare Scholarship Assistance Funding Request (CDBG)
Division of Early Childhood Presentation

Lakewood Division of Community Development (Link to Website)

Division of Community Development FY22 Applicant Narrative
FY22 Affordable Housing Programs Funding Request (CDBG)
FY22 Storefront Renovation Program Funding Request (CDBG)
Division of Community Development Affordable Housing Programs Presentation
Division of Community Development Storefront Renovation Program Presentation

FY22 CAC Meeting Minutes 

FY22 CAC Session #1 Minutes (9.8.21)
FY22 CAC Session #2 Minutes (9.15.21)
FY22 CAC Session #3 Minutes (9.22.21)
FY22 CAC Session #4 Minutes (9.29.21)

FY22 CAC Public Notices 

FY22 Federal Funds Availability Notice
FY22 CAC Public Hearing #1 Notice
FY22 CAC Public Hearing #2 Notice
Substantial Amendments to Lakewood’s FY20 & FY21 Action Plans Notice