Cleveland Heights · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cleveland Heights public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Tree Canopy Survey
The city is hiring ArborPro to inventory every city tree and build an Urban Forestry Master Plan. Council members asked that canopy disparities between neighborhoods be prioritized for new planting, that public meetings be advertised beyond email, and whether sidewalk damage from tree roots can be captured in the survey.
Horseshoe Lake Park and Army Corps review
A resident reported that 2,000 trees will be cut down as part of the Shaker Lakes sewer project and delivered a petition with 500+ signatures asking for a pause and real dialogue with council members.
Tree Commission
Council took first reading of an ordinance creating a Tree Commission. A tree advocate testified the city's canopy has fallen from about 44% in 2011 to roughly 27%, mostly from individual homeowner removals.
Environmental Protection
Governor DeWine stopped by Cleveland Heights to show off state-backed H2Ohio programs designed to cut down on road salt and protect our local streams. While it's great for nature, it means our city might have to change how we tackle icy winter roads.
Doan Brook and Horseshoe Lake sewer district restoration plan
One resident demanded an emergency resolution suspending the city's participation in the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District agreement, arguing the district never performed a legally required alternatives analysis before the Horseshoe Lake dam project.
Plastic food ware policy
A resident-led initiative wants restaurants to hand out plastic forks, straws and condiments only when customers ask. A pilot with nine restaurants went well and the sustainability committee unanimously backs an ordinance, but council members raised enforcement questions and want the law department to weigh in first.
EV fast chargers at City Hall and Community Center
The city has essentially zero public chargers, which is exactly why NOACA prioritized it — eight DC fast chargers will be installed at City Hall and the Community Center next year, mostly grant-funded.
Bulk Refuse Pickup
The city bought a second claw truck and keeps the four-items-per-month rule, which has largely ended the eviction-dumping problem. Residents still get confused about their color-coded bulk week, and special pickups cost $10 per item.
Recycling processing services agreement
Council joined a consortium of nine east-side communities contracting with Waste Management of Ohio for recycling processing, keeping the city's recycling program running.
Severance Dugway Watershed
Watershed groups want to build small vernal pools in the 20-acre wooded conservation area at Severance Town Center to help amphibians and improve stream health. It would cost about $121,500 but grants could cover it. The catch: the city doesn't own the land, and MetroHealth and the school board haven't been approached yet.
Community solar legislation (HB 303)
A resident-led push asks Cleveland Heights to support Ohio's community solar bill, which would let residents subscribe to shared solar arrays. Electricity bills rose 26% last summer, and local generation could keep money and power local.