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City hires OHM Advisors for housing development accelerator to map sites, zoning fixes and developer-ready concepts
Summary
The commission approved an agreement with OHM Advisors to lead a Housing Development Accelerator project that will map feasible housing types, run community engagement and draft zoning amendments; the work is supported by a state housing technical assistance grant.
The Sandusky City Commission on Aug. 11 approved a professional services agreement with OHM Advisors to conduct a Housing Development Accelerator project. City staff said the project will analyze city‑owned sites, produce visualizations and pattern books for housing types, run public engagement this fall and draft zoning amendments where barriers to development are identified.
Why it matters: City officials said the work is intended to make development more predictable for private builders and to speed housing production, including infill and redevelopment on city‑owned parcels.
City planning staff said the project will focus on several large, city‑controlled sites including the GNC foundry site, remaining parcels around the Cold Creek neighborhood, and land near Churchill Park and MacArthur Park. The consultant will produce a “pattern book” of housing types — single‑family, duplexes and small multi‑unit options — and create visualization scenarios, including virtual‑reality mockups, for potential development.
The city received a grant through the state Department of Development’s housing technical assistance program that will support zoning code amendment drafting if the project identifies regulatory barriers. Staff anticipates the first round of community engagement in the fall and a 10–14 month project timeline, with zoning recommendations possible in 2026.
Commissioners described the contract as “the heavy lifting” for long‑term housing strategy and urged robust community engagement. The commission voted to approve the agreement under the immediate‑effect clause in the charter and directed staff to begin engagement and return with findings.
Next steps: Consultant-led engagement this fall, pattern book and site scenarios, drafting of RFQs/RFPs and zoning code amendments as needed; staff said they will bring recommendations to the commission as the work progresses.
