Lori Birschbach-Tober

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. The agenda covered the approval of the minutes from the December 1st, 2025 City Council meeting, as well as receiving minutes from the Utility Committee and Civil Service Commission. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Lobby Session where citizens addressed the council. Key resident concerns included requests for the repeal of ordinance T132-2023 and the hiring of a qualified safety service director, criticisms regarding the management style of the Chief of Police, and a call for a full forensic audit of city finances. Residents also expressed concerns about proposed development projects, specifically data centers, and the lack of transparency in communication regarding such issues, urging the council to ensure the master plan is airtight. Furthermore, the session addressed local traffic safety, questioning the necessity of a proposed roundabout on Sugar Ridge Road. A recurring theme in public comments was the recommendation to appoint Sue Olsen to fill the Ward One seat vacancy, citing her performance in the recent election. Appreciation was also expressed for outgoing council members.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, including a moment of silence to honor a local teenager, Violet Gustoson. During the public comment portion (lobby session), residents expressed concerns regarding a perceived lack of transparency, particularly surrounding a rushed American Structure Point contract approved under an emergency clause, the absence of recusal from the Mayor, and the significant salary increase for the Finance Director amidst calls for a forensic audit. Further public comments addressed the frequent use of emergency authorizations and routine dispensing of second and third readings, questioning the process for engineering contracts. Administrator reports covered updates on the Le Nagel Lraine intersection pedestrian improvements, noting planned additions of crosswalks and signals with an estimated construction date of March 1st, 2026. Updates were also provided on a new county metro park (Sandy Ridge West), the 'Magic of Lights' event at Victory Park, and the upcoming 'Holiday on the Ridge' event. The City Engineer provided detailed context regarding the engineering cost increase for the Sugar Ridge Road projects, explaining the initial 2023 scoping, the use of 10% of construction cost as an industry standard estimate, and the tight timeline imposed by the ODOT contract schedule which necessitated moving forward quickly with design services approval.

The meeting involved administrative approval for a new UPS store. The main focus was the discussion and subsequent approval of Ordinance 2025-10, which amends zoning code sections regarding use regulations for automobile service stations and gasoline stations. Discussions centered on changing the required spacing from one mile to a half mile radius, excluding the B4 district, and clarifying what constitutes an accessory use versus a main use gas station. The commission also addressed concerns regarding non-conforming gas stations and their reconstruction eligibility. Additionally, the commission reviewed Ordinance 2025-145, which proposes renaming Tibo Trail to Orchard Park Drive, discussing potential address confusion with existing streets and confirming the precise starting point of the new street name.

The meeting commenced with an organizational session, including the election of officers: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and representatives for the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals (including an alternate) and the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council. The commission also addressed the recreation master plan steering committee appointment. Following the organization, the commission addressed administrative approvals, noting two certificates of zoning compliance were approved since the last meeting. Key discussions involved two ordinances that went into effect: one suspending by right cluster subdivisions and another amending design standards for wetland setback riparian issues. The main agenda item involved Ordinance 2025-159 concerning the vacation of a portion of Aspen Street. Extensive discussion occurred regarding pedestrian connectivity to Liberty Elementary School via this vacated portion, concluding that existing routes provided adequate alternatives and that required utility easements and ditch bridging were impractical or unnecessary. The commission voted to recommend the ordinance to council, specifically requesting the striking of Section 2 which required a 20ft utility easement.

The meeting primarily focused on the application for an amendment to the preliminary plan for the Ridgefield subdivision (PPZ 2025-0392), managed by PY Homes of Ohio Corporation, taking over from Bob Schmidt Homes Incorporated. Key discussions involved presenting the history of the 500-acre development, which originated in 1994, and detailing the proposed amendment for the remaining undeveloped area (approximately 124 acres plus Phase 18). The administration highlighted that while the overall project has evolved over phases, the proposed full buildout (980 total units) complies with zoning metrics, including open space (30% provided vs. 20% required) and density (1.87 units per acre vs. 2.3 max permitted). Engineering comments focused on required wetland delineations, riparian buffer requirements, stormwater management reports, and cul-de-sac length waivers. They also requested that PY Homes address traffic warrants identified in a recently submitted traffic study, specifically at the intersection of Begley and Gatestone. The applicant introduced PY Homes as a top-three national builder, emphasizing their integration of building, developing, and mortgage services.