For A Sustainable Economy-Expand Your Yard With Euclid's Land Bank

City Landbank Encourages Yard Expansion



21207 North St was the first Euclid Landbank Sale

Photo courtesy of The City of Euclid



In The Secret Garden, Mary asks her uncle, “Might I have a bit of land?” And so begins the transformation of a neglected piece of property into a healing hideaway. That same transformation is happening throughout Euclid as homeowners buy up adjacent empty lots for yard expansion.

News on the housing front is not good for Euclid. Property values dropped as much as 40% in some parts of the City. The lure of lower taxes, larger lots and a stronger market outside the County is pulling population from the city. Foreclosures, strategic walkaways, obsolete housing stock and quality of life issues continue to play a role in the evacuation of Euclid.

In the dense northwest quadrant, block after block of homes sit on what the City considers ‘unbuildable lots’ – lots under 5,000 square feet. Elsewhere, the majority of lots fall between 5,000 and 7,500 sq. ft. With so many small lots, it’s no wonder families that can are moving. Hundreds of houses sit empty and neglected.

There is a silver lining. Neglected properties are being torn down and taken over by the City. The vacant lots are being put into the City’s Landbank and made available for purchase. Folks that otherwise might move for more land are buying the lots for yard expansion.

When the demos began in earnest around 2009, the City offered lots for appraisal price. By June of 2011 with the Landbank growing and lack of interest in parcels, Euclid Development Director Frank Pietravoia asked Council to approve a new pricing structure, “The current pricing policy… is discouraging sales and resulting in carrying costs to the City for the Landbank lots.”  The new pricing was approved.

For lots under 5,000 sq. ft, the City requires consolidation. Consolidation costs are between $850 and $1,000.  Neighbors can split the lot or buy it in whole for $1. Lots greater than 5,000 sq. ft. split between neighbors sell for $200 and require consolidation. If a neighbor wants the entire 5,000+ sq. ft. lot for yard expansion, no consolidation is required, but the price jumps to $1,000. If you buy an adjacent 5,000 sq. ft. lot to add on to your house, the price drops to $1. Consolidation is required and the upgrade must be completed within one year.  The City can also help with consolidation costs at its discretion.

The Landbank of empty lots hover around 100 at any given time. According to Planning & Zoning Commissioner Paul Beno, “The new pricing is working. The inflow and outflow of properties pretty much balances itself. As lots are purchased, other lots come in. To date we have 17 actual transfers and one more pending.” Over the next 12 months, Euclid plans to demolish about 20 more houses and add them to the landbank.

If you are interested in yard expansion, here’s what you need to do. First find out if it’s in the Landbank. You can call Commissioner Beno at 289-8180 or view Landbank properties on the City’s website: cityofeuclid.com. Under Departments, open Planning & Zoning and click Landbank Property Listing and Map. Next, determine the lot size for pricing. Contact the adjacent neighbors to see if they’re interested in the lot. When you’re ready to purchase, call Commissioner Beno to get on the P&Z Agenda for approval. Once approved, the transfer goes to City Council for final approval.

Pretty simple. One word of caution. Before Title Transfer, make sure there are no outstanding liens on the property. If there are, insist the City gets those liens released. Otherwise, once the property transfers to you, you’re responsible for the liens.

The Landbank program accomplishes three things. It encourages people to stay in Euclid by offering them a larger lot. It takes the cost of maintenance off the City’s back. It turns non-productive land into productive use. The Administration and Council have a lot of hard work and long term planning to do to stop the exodus of people. The Landbank is one small step in the right direction.