WHEELING, W.Va. — Mayor Denny Magruder has established a Housing Development Task Force to examine barriers to constructing new housing, particularly single-family homes, and to recommend actionable strategies to increase the supply of quality, attainable housing within the City of Wheeling.
The task force will focus on identifying regulatory, financial, infrastructure and market challenges that impact new single-family housing development and evaluating which of those barriers are within the City’s control or influence. Based on that review, the group will develop clear, implementable recommendations for City Council.
“Wheeling’s long-term success depends on our ability to provide safe, attainable housing that meets the needs of families, workers and future residents,” Magruder said. “This task force will take a hard, honest look at what is holding housing development back and help chart a path forward that supports responsible growth and strong neighborhoods.”
The goals of the Housing Development Task Force include recommending policy changes, process improvements and incentive tools to encourage new home construction; supporting neighborhood-compatible development and long-term community growth; considering potential annexation of developed and underdeveloped areas; and producing actionable recommendations for City Council.
As part of its work, the task force will examine zoning and subdivision regulations, including lot sizes, setbacks and permitted uses; permitting and review processes and timelines; infrastructure capacity and condition such as water, sewer, stormwater, roads and hillside stabilization; topography and floodplain constraints; construction costs versus achievable sale prices in Wheeling neighborhoods; financing and appraisal challenges for new construction; opportunities involving city-owned land, land bank properties and infill development; neighborhood acceptance and compatibility of new single-family homes; and general annexation considerations.
“This effort is about problem-solving,” Magruder said. “By bringing together professionals with real-world experience in building, financing, planning and infrastructure, we can develop practical solutions that make it easier to build homes while protecting the character of our neighborhoods.”
The task force will not review or approve individual development proposals. Members will serve in an advisory capacity and will include City officials such as the City Manager and representatives from building and planning, engineering and code enforcement; City Council representatives; local builders and developers; lenders and appraisers familiar with the Wheeling market; real estate professionals; utility providers; and community representatives.
Expected deliverables include a comprehensive list of Wheeling-specific housing development barriers; short-term recommendations such as policy or process changes; long-term strategies including code updates, infrastructure investments and incentives; recommendations to builders and developers; identification of potential annexation opportunities; and potential pilot sites or demonstration projects.
The Housing Development Task Force is expected to meet regularly and deliver a final report to City Council by Nov. 1, 2026.
Founded in 1769, the City of Wheeling is the birthplace of the State of West Virginia and the county seat of Ohio County. Located along the Ohio River, Wheeling serves as a regional center for government, education, healthcare and economic activity. The City of Wheeling is committed to providing high-quality public services, supporting responsible growth and enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.
