Western Reserve Land Conservancy presents parcel‑by‑parcel inventory showing improved housing condition in Sandusky

The Western Reserve Land Conservancy presented the results of a citywide property inventory and an interactive story map documenting more than 12,000 parcels in Sandusky and changes since a 2015 survey.

Isaac Robb, the presenter, described the methodology: teams of two surveyors used tablet computers to collect exterior condition photos and answers to standardized questions for each parcel, then combined the field data with Regrid parcel data, U.S. Postal Service vacancy indicators and city water shutoff records to create a blended vacancy indicator. Robb said the dataset contains roughly 12,242 parcels, about 9,200 occupied structures, roughly 1,500 vacant lots and 112 parcels labeled vacant in 2025.

Robb explained grading for structure condition from A (excellent) to F (hazardous) and said the city has seen increases in A and B properties and decreases in D and F properties since the last inventory. He highlighted that the tool can be used for grant writing, targeted rehabilitation and program design.

Commissioners praised staff participation in data collection and said the inventory can make grant applications more strategic. Robb also noted the inventory and story map will be posted online for public access.

What happens next: The city has received the raw data files and interactive maps; commissioners asked staff to use the inventory to prioritize grant dollars and rehabilitation programs.

Provenance: Presentation introduced by the chair and presented by Isaac Robb of Western Reserve Land Conservancy (SEG 726–1050).