Working with community groups and all levels of government to plan for the future growth of Northeastern Ohio and the well-being of its citizens: Supporting Smart Growth planning and initiatives in order to maintain the region's long-term economic vitality, as well as continue its deserved reputation as a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Improving local zoning codes and development regulations: Working with communities to initiate or revise local zoning and development regulations that will enable a variety of housing and pricing, preserve open space and protect natural resources, while maintaining the existing community character.

Revitalizing our older cities and older suburbs: While revitalization will take a significant commitment of time and money to make urban areas competitive with new suburban development, redeveloped building sites in our older cities and suburbs can become viable alternatives to new development in the outer reaches of the region.

Protecting our environment and preserving our natural resources: The preservation of trees, wetlands, farmland and environmentally-sensitive open space is not only a key element of Smart Growth, but it's also good business. Home buyers are willing to accept more concentrated residential development and smaller individual lots when common areas are set aside to preserve and protect the natural resources and create meaningful common open space.

Increasing the opportunities for the region's households to obtain the type of housing they want, in locations where they want to live, at prices they can afford: The home building industry is committed to meeting the changing requirements of households throughout the region, whether it be for an affordable or luxury apartment, a modest home or large estate, an attached or cluster home, a continuing care community or other special form of housing.

Expanding the supply of improved residential building sites: With the exception of large acreage lots, there is currently a shortage of building sites within the region to accommodate the existing demand for new housing by the region's households. Unless corrective action is taken by the governments of the region, this shortage will increase, resulting in a continuing escalation of building site prices and unacceptably high rates of growth in those few areas with available building sites.

Promoting more concentrated new residential development: Smart Growth means that non-environmentally sensitive areas improved with sewer and water must, on average, be developed at significantly higher densities than are currently permitted by most local zoning codes. While there always will be some demand for low-density acreage lots, zoning for low-density development should be limited to those areas of the region that are not planned to be served by sewer and water systems. In other areas, lower-density zoning should be balanced with higher-density zoning.

Securing efficient and effective funding of infrastructure improvements: Good roads, public transportation, schools, sewer and water systems and other essential community facilities are critical to the economic well-being of the region and the general welfare of its citizens. Ensuring that the infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of the region is one of the biggest challenges facing local governments today.

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