Friday, February 7, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative - 1309 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88034695285

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and their potential to expand housing options in urban and suburban neighborhoods. This session will explore how ADUs can create opportunities for aging in place, foster diverse housing choices, and integrate sensitively into existing historic contexts.

The conversation will highlight lessons from the Cleveland Heights ADU design competition, sponsored by AARP. Panelists will share insights on design strategies, zoning and regulatory challenges, and best practices for implementing ADUs in communities.

This session offers one hour of professional development credit for planners and is relevant for anyone interested in urban design, land use, and housing policy.

Panelists:

Tommy Chesnes is a Senior Design Architect with Onyx Creative, where he has grown his career since graduating from the CUDC in 2013 with a Master of Architecture and Urban Design. Tommy leads design teams for various project types, including commercial, retail, hospitality, and industrial projects. As a resident of University Heights, he was excited to participate in the Cleveland Heights Accessory Dwelling Unit Competition, where the Onyx Creative team was one of the three winning entries. Tommy hopes to bring these innovative ideas to University Heights, where he serves on the Architectural Review Board.
Patrick W. Hewitt, AICP is a Planning Manager in charge of Strategy & Development with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. He has more than a decade of experience in community planning in Cleveland and across the Midwest, and he has served as the lead planner on more than a dozen community planning projects in Cuyahoga County. These planning processes have resulted in updated zoning regulations, community branding campaigns, park and infrastructure improvements, and business district revitalization efforts. He is presently leading the County Planning Commission’s Transit-Oriented Development initiative, which aims to attract more development to frequent transit lines in Cuyahoga County. With a passion for building community, Patrick brings experience on place-based design and community revitalization to the work of County Planning. He is a graduate of Denison University and earned a master’s degree from the Ohio State University in City & Regional Planning.
Rachel Novak, AICP, is a Senior Planner at the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. With experience in both the private and public sectors, Rachel not only brings an enthusiasm for public outreach, but also a diverse planning background that provides insight on zoning and land use codes, comprehensive planning, and graphic design. She is a Senior Planner and has been with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission for eight years. She received her Bachelor's Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Transportation through the University of Washington.
Eric Zamft, AICP, is Director of Planning, Neighborhoods & Development for the City of Cleveland Heights. He is an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)-certified planner with over 20 years of experience in housing, planning, transportation, land use, zoning, community development, and sustainability in both the public and private sectors. Eric worked in Philadelphia and the New York metropolitan area prior to he and his family’s move to Cleveland Heights in January of 2021.