Council reviews draft housing market study calling for infill, townhomes and senior housing

Upper Arlington City Council on April 21 received a draft housing market analysis from Community Scale principal Nels Nelson that frames the city as a desirable, built‑out suburb with a tight housing market and limited land for new construction.

Nelson said the study estimates that meeting projected household growth and correcting a tight vacancy rate would require roughly 57 housing units per year and that the most feasible additions in Upper Arlington are “missing middle” products such as townhomes, small multifamily and senior housing rather than stand‑alone large apartment complexes. “This is a draft document, and we really want your input,” Nelson said during the presentation.

The report, commissioned by the city after an RFP process, compared Upper Arlington with peer communities, analyzed household and housing stock data, and combined that with an opt‑in community survey. Among the study’s findings: Upper Arlington’s median household income is about $155,000 (2025), regional HUD median income is about $110,000, overall vacancy is just under a commonly cited 5% benchmark (the consultants called the market “tight”), and the city has seen growth in families with children while losing population in the 20–34 and 50–64 bands.

Why it matters: Upper Arlington is largely built out and landlocked. The study says small infill and redevelopment—townhomes, four‑unit conversions, ADUs and senior projects—can add housing without drastic character changes while supplying housing better matched to younger buyers and downsizing older adults. By contrast, Nelson told the council, large rental…