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Study finds perception of renters to be myth
(by Barbara Christian - December 09, 2009)
Study finds perception of renters to be myth
By BARBARA CHRISTIAN
The perception that Chagrin Falls' number of residential rentals is bad for the community is incorrect, according to findings of Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School master of business administration students.
Their conclusions were presented Dec. 4 during a public presentation at Chagrin Falls Village Hall.
The study was undertaken earlier this year when Chagrin Falls was asked to partner with the school's student-project program. Mayor Thomas Brick agreed, and the students were asked to investigate "the community effects of having a large percentage of rental units."
Using the latest 2000 U.S. Census figures, 27 percent of the occupied homes in Chagrin Falls are rentals -- 503 of the 1,862 housing units.
The notion that rental numbers have grown over the years is a misconception, the team found. Rental units have decreased when students compared 1990 and 2000 census figures. In 1990, Chagrin Falls had 658 rentals -- 34.1 percent of the occupied dwellings.
Identified as a main source of rentals was the Hamlet Hills retirement complex with 295 units. Carriage Hill had 113 rentals, the Citadel condominiums had 39 rentals, and Nob Hill condos had 23. Just 34 single- and multi-family residences were rentals in 2000.
The study, through interviews with Realtors Joanne Zettl, Robert Royer and Nancy Irwin, determined that the existence of rental properties did not affect home sales prices.
An interview with Police Chief James Brosius found that officers are not called to incidents at rental properties any more than they are to owner-occupied residences.
Throughout the information provided in the study, the subject of the village's availability of arts and culture was a plus.
But according to Chagrin Falls Foundation for Arts and Culture leader Stephen Thomas, younger renter residents are less inclined to support or become involved in the local art scene.
The students' study supported Mr. Thomas' impression by finding that, among all of the age groups, renters with the lowest degree of interest in the village were those between the ages of 18 and 32.
With that issue identified, the four Weatherhead students concluded, the village could improve its relationship with that part of the population and all renters by reaching out to them. One way would be through renter registration forms submitted yearly by property owners. It was pointed out that such registrations have been controversial in cities because of the appearance of "big-brother" government and unfair targeting of renters.
In the City of Cleveland Heights, an ordinance requires property owners to complete rental registration forms and pay $25 per unit. In the City of Akron, a fee is charged to maintain a renter database.
The information on the forms also is handy when the village seeks to contact residents or invite them to special events.
To create trust in the registry, the Weatherhead students suggested asking renters about their hobbies and their work.
In addition to the registry, it was suggested that the village hold networking events that welcome the renters to the community by introducing them to residents, community groups and local business owners.
The study concluded such networking events foster a better relationship between the largely uninvolved renters and the village in which they live.
"Relationships will open doors to renters ..." the study said. What grows from that will be beneficial to both renters and the village.
A closer relationship with the village's renter population also fits with the priorities that members of the village administration said in their interviews. They said that second to a financially stable community, they wanted to maintain Chagrin Falls' "hometown community environment."
The Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead student study team consisted of Brice Banctel, of France, Shuyi Wang, of China, Leila Sanii, of New York, and Kyle Mooney, of Solon.
Others who took part in the survey and interviews were village Administrator Benjamin Himes, Finance Director David Bloom, Building Inspector Harry Edwards and renter residents.
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