05
Housing & Neighborhoods
Pleasant Ridge is first and foremost a community of homes and neighborhoods. The input received during the public engagement process continuously highlighted that what makes Pleasant Ridge special is the tight-knit community. While Pleasant Ridge has limited land for development there will continue to be additions and renovation to existing homes. It is important to think strategically about what policies will help maintain the character of the existing neighborhoods while encouraging positive contributions through future changes.
Future Development Pressures & Retaining Housing Character
Thus far, the value of properties in Pleasant Ridge has not attracted demolition and redevelopment of lots. Many neighboring communities have already experienced significant changes in their residential areas as a result of these shifts. As property values continue to rise, the possibility of areas of the city attracting significant renovation of existing homes or demolitions and new building is a possibility over the next 20 years. Residential redevelopment and renovation can create a scale of new homes that feel overwhelming and out of character with their neighborhoods. This occurs when there is a lack of coordination and forethought between the existing housing character and zoning standards. It is important to plan for this possibility to properly retain housing character in Pleasant Ridge neighborhoods.
The community clearly values the historic nature of the buildings in the neighborhoods, having established a Federal Historic District in 1992, adding area in 2007 and 2012, where now almost all homes in the city have this designation. In addition, the City adopted Exterior Design Standards in 2015 to supplement the building code and help provide for harmonious and aesthetically pleasing new construction for both new and substantially renovated buildings.
These standards will help ensure that any future development pressures are aesthetically pleasing in the community. The City’s Zoning Ordinance also helps promote a proper scale of residential development through the residential districts. The standards in the Zoning Ordinance should continue to be reviewed to ensure there are no gaps that would allow disproportionate scale of development on residential lots. That review should include the potential inclusion of accessory dwelling units as discussed in the following section.
Housing Diversity
Beyond the pressures for development of new or renovated homes there exists the need to provide housing for people at a variety of stages of life as well as of income and ability. In the feedback received from the community it became clear that there was a desire to be able to have housing units that accommodate families, adults in middle age, and people as they age. In addition, responses in the community survey highlighted concerns about the rising cost of housing. While the following chapter provides a more in-depth analysis of opportunities and strategies for aging in place, there are opportunities to expand the housing diversity in the city to benefit all segments of the population.
