DRO Demands Lyndhurst City Council Approve Protected Disability-Related Home Modifications

October 29, 2026

LYNDHURST, Ohio- Disability Rights Ohio - the state's Protection & Advocacy System for people with disabilities - is demanding that the Lyndhurst City Council approve necessary disability-related modifications to a home on Chickadee Lane.

The home is owned by North Coast Community Homes (NCCH), a non-profit organization that provides accessible housing and supportive resources to people with disabilities. The proposed modifications are necessary to make the home accessible for longtime Cuyahoga County residents Tina Beris and Geraldine White. The necessary modifications involve widening doorways, expanding a bathroom, and reclaiming a portion of the current two-car garage, leaving a one car garage in its place. Thus far, the city has refused to approve these modifications and has created administrative hurdles that have caused what should be a standard review process to stretch out for 18 months. The city is likely to deny the modification plans, citing concerns over "neighborhood character."

The requested variance is expected to be decided on at a city council meeting on Monday, November 2nd, with the Board of Zoning Appeals recommending denial.

We believe denial of this request would be a violation of the Fair Housing Act. One reason for recommending denial is rooted in the incorrect belief that the property will function as a "group home," as the city does not allow group homes to exist within 1,000 feet of each other. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has already provided Mayor Ward with documentation explaining the difference between group homes and independent living arrangements in a letter this summer. These efforts to educate appear to have gone unheard.

"The city has created hurdles here that don't otherwise exist simply because the residents of this home have disabilities," said Julie Keys, DRO Attorney Team Leader. "For that reason, our clients have been unable to move into their home for over a year and a half; that's a shame because anybody would be lucky to have Tina and Geraldine as their neighbors."

Advocates plan to attend Monday's council meeting to support Ms. Beris and Ms. White and to encourage council to approve these necessary and protected modifications.