NEST Announces Support of Connected Communities
NEST supports Connected Communities because we believe the changes it proposes will increase the affordability, walkability, and livability of Northside.
The rate at which housing prices have increased far outpaces the rate at which wages have increased. One way to make an impact on the cost of housing is to increase the number of available units in the city, and the changes proposed by Connected Communities will allow for more units to be created. Here’s how this would affect Northside:
Middle Housing- Connected Communities will allow 2-, 3-, and 4-family buildings to be permitted within target geographies, including most of Northside. This increases density, especially close to the Neighborhood Business District, supporting local businesses.
Reduced Regulatory Barriers- Density restrictions would be removed along major corridor areas, including Hamilton Avenue. This takes advantage of Northside’s existing infrastructure, stabilizes local businesses, and supports transit services.
Parking- The elimination of parking minimums along major corridors will support the walkability of neighborhoods like Northside, encourage the use of public transportation, decrease the cost of development, and allow for more thoughtful building designs.
Affordable Development- The Affordable Development policy proposal would award future low-income housing development projects that secure federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) additional regulation “bonuses” that would reduce uncertainty for these projects and allow developers like NEST to create stronger applications for funding. NEST’s most recent project that utilized LIHTC was John Arthur Flats which is the first LGBTQ+ affirming senior affordable housing development in Cincinnati.
Human Scale Development- Human Scale Development policy proposal brings focus to creating places for people, not cars. This invites development that contributes to vibrant, healthy, and walkable communities with increased landscaping and bicycle parking. All things we want to see more of in Northside.
Process Improvements- Streamlining the regulatory processes within the zoning code would decrease the demand on our staff to navigate projects through the planning process and reduce uncertainty for residents of Northside.
We appreciate the years of community engagement and work that has gone into this effort. The time to act is now to ensure Cincinnati can produce the housing it needs to continue to support neighborhoods like Northside.
