[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6625832,"mediaKeyId","2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb","parentId",2756356,"title","Board of elections rejected Bellbrook's May levy ballot language; city requests records","audioSeconds",418,"startMs",3797000,"endMs",4215000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb&start=3797&end=4215","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb/thumbnail_3797000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625832/Ohio/Board-of-elections-rejected-Bellbrooks-May-levy-ballot-language-city-requests-records","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625832-09f2b42241ce694f1733596cf6534f33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975212&Signature=QTBjfJJKYcLB8WWZ~6GLVZ~VjUb2~XdnHEt3mOJm~EZpC2QacZz8XfaIYt9nzyJ3aS0Fry3erDN2mlxWKngX0BoAcpP91bQLxj0OV~11w1DBQellkzrzBVaCVnhpbgos0PaH1sFgMMvM~b~E~LBy8NhCHJAKN9TmWfgnzK~kEUxU2~wdZIekYsoDCaLWnMN~86GjzRskcZjE6V6GZq6eILYcWgnnCi0TT43ugG3JM3wQsn7eTf3UqBqz-hXtPZ1J8MMqmV4s38KKdcXTjdfOxJLLytEoyDGd7TMj28TWrBSOxzAp8~zAvZbguNtMLeJc63Syh11R8wndvDPxqG2gig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellbrook","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Bellbrook City Council learned on Monday that the Greene County Board of Elections rejected the city's proposed ballot language for a 2.2-mill levy intended for the May ballot. City staff said the rejection was based on concerns about the wording for the levy's collection year and that the board's decision was made at a March 4 meeting.

City Manager Rob said he had to call the Board of Elections to learn of the rejection because the city had not been notified. Rob said that when the board's staff returned the language to the secretary of state, the state flagged the language for revision and that the local board then asked for prosecutor review. According to the city manager, the Board of Elections and the city did not exchange timely notice about the rejection and subsequent review steps.

Because certification deadlines had passed for the May ballot, the city will not be able to place the question before voters in May. City staff said this constrains planning for the 2026 budget and that the city will prepare two budget scenarios to account for either passage or failure of a future levy. The city manager said he submitted a formal public-records request for meeting notices, written decisions and correspondence between the Board of Elections and the secretary of state so Bellbrook can understand the timeline and the board's reasoning.

Council members requested follow-up and urged staff to seek documentation. The law director will review options and next steps; council indicated intent to resubmit language and place a levy question on a later ballot (likely November) if appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellbrook - March 24, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting - Mar 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Bellbrook officials say the Greene County Board of Elections rejected ballot language for a proposed 2.2-mill levy for the city's May ballot and that the city has asked the board for records of its decision.","taxTitle","Bellbrook City Council, Bellbrook, Greene County, Ohio","taxId",72802,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625837,"Bellbrook council advances draft small-livestock rules for legal review after lengthy discussion",1340,1616000,2956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb&start=1616&end=2956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb/thumbnail_1616000.jpg","/articles/6625837/Ohio/Bellbrook-council-advances-draft-small-livestock-rules-for-legal-review-after-lengthy-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625837-6b575055a6e5c0f846a8828addb4e7cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975212&Signature=WJdDPGEQ1CmRf6NRATfQdvIwG9zytGht8KJH-QV72adM-gihVc1zp1II8AQ1ikvUe77D9e2TVR-D6WFYTxV-3gQ9xLkvlq9MMzWQiwxJJfVlrkekzVsC5McNuavUovEpnRd06YBYuiPwI6uLVpbYu82UGajKKe42GWpLExWbXOo0P4HXz8wl0zMLKtxNaSgzXJd6BgWnPQY~82iGBxhWdfV8MVkmtf6iWTzqwHLmdxqWvc8G22iCoCS88e91KcHWcjDOXQlvX3u8DUiVt-KyDbdA5CvC3mhui7mnfETEjo0QlU5mW3FkG4R73fUz3eWMkFOJG-uvrCVh5WKoYRRWgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellbrook City Council on Monday reviewed a draft zoning change to allow small livestock (including chickens and certain waterfowl) in residential areas and directed staff to send the draft to the city's legal counsel for conformity with Ohio law.

City planner Mikaela (staff) told council the draft adds a definition of \"small livestock\" and proposed Section 18.41 for the zoning code; the change would require accessory-structure permitting, ventilation and sanitation standards, and limits on species. The draft excludes geese, peafowl, turkeys, ostriches and emus but permits ducks under the proposed language.

Council members pressed staff on several specifics: setback distances to property lines and residential structures, minimum lot-size thresholds, coop sizing per bird, permitted construction materials and enforcement costs. Staff said permit fees would follow the existing accessory-structure schedule (example: $25 for first 100 square feet, $5 per additional 100 square feet) and that enforcement would be handled through existing code-enforcement processes; staff said comparable nearby cities reported fewer than a dozen annual complaints in past experience but could not provide a precise local cost estimate.

After deliberation, several council members expressed support for a 25-foot setback from property lines and a 50-foot minimum distance to neighboring residential structures; members asked staff and legal counsel to confirm that combination is allowable under the Ohio Revised Code. Council also asked staff to include minimum coop sizing (council suggested 4 square feet per bird as a working figure) and to align beehive and small-livestock setbacks for consistency where appropriate.

Council did not adopt the text but instructed staff to send the draft to the law director for review and to return with legal edits and recommended permit/enforcement cost information. Staff said the draft will then go to the Planning Board if legally sound.","Council discussed a proposed zoning amendment to permit small livestock (chickens, rabbits, select poultry) with setbacks, coop-sizing, permitting and enforcement provisions and directed staff to send the draft to the city's legal counsel for review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625840,"Bellbrook council adopts rewrite of commercial and heavy-vehicle route rules",1019,665000,1684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb&start=665&end=1684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb/thumbnail_665000.jpg","/articles/6625840/Ohio/Bellbrook-council-adopts-rewrite-of-commercial-and-heavy-vehicle-route-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625840-ee82139a3584f7e94ea5832ad3301511/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975212&Signature=SOfW5UhmKpQUyiZXn8pYOlOp~4vt0LQVNckHIADCyL0EO0~xJ5vZzZ7Xjpkp8mGcN5BN-mPcnux5wPWJhSToiLV3E2ALbn0m1T8E8eRJF4dToFeNnr2Hbd0-tj9XdhSBkA-0ZC997X7mcJNyJCzjwd13uKHZ7Xh24QNC4ggXYyqI6o2-Dbl8sc1YNgg0ArltdIHoJ92mkOVJ6I8xEPoVwby7jGjGWVbDKhCJGeBk1TFxKAkzE49kmjgFgDspSltpoJ2zR3bOs8lcp2VTDxnYoMn3a32AiPps7yev-q2cjlE4ISkSh8JAQyvCvN1wU4yeyGYcHLQsKSDXjEiKdaH~Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellbrook City Council on Monday adopted Ordinance 2025-O-02, repealing and reenacting Chapter 440 (Commercial and Heavy Vehicles) of Title 6 of the Bellbrook Municipal Code to restrict commercial and heavy-vehicle traffic and certain turns on North Main Street and South Main Street.

The ordinance, introduced during a public hearing by Deputy Mayor Havens, cites Article XVIII, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution and the council's authority to regulate local streets. Staff told council the draft resulted from multiple public meetings and analysis of truck turning radiuses and daily commercial vehicle volumes.

Council heard that traffic counts show more than 300 commercial and heavy vehicles traverse North Main and South Main per day and that some intersections, particularly Main and Franklin, lack turning radiuses that meet Ohio Department of Transportation design standards. Rob, speaking for city staff, said the ordinance aims to reduce volume and eliminate specific problematic turns, including prohibiting turns onto southbound Main Street and turns from southbound Main Street onto Franklin in either direction. The ordinance also bars commercial vehicles with trailers from certain streets.

Supporters on council said the change is part of a broader effort to improve downtown walkability and pedestrian safety and to reduce road damage, noise and pollution attributed to heavy vehicles. Councilmembers asked staff about signage and design standards; staff said signage will be developed to meet administrative-code standards and that education of drivers and businesses will be part of implementation.

During the public hearing there were no members of the public who spoke in opposition. After discussion, council moved to adopt the ordinance. The roll call vote recorded Mrs. Cyphers, Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Harding, Deputy Mayor Havens, Mr. Oakes and Mayor Schweller as voting yes; the motion carried. Councilmember Ashley was excused from the meeting earlier.

Council and staff said the ordinance is intended as a starting point; staff will monitor intersections and can return with modifications if additional problematic locations are identified.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to excuse Councilman Ashley (procedural): Passed (roll call recorded as carried earlier in the meeting).
- Ordinance 2025-O-02, repealing and reenacting Chapter 440 (Commercial and Heavy Vehicles) of the Bellbrook Municipal Code: Adopted (unanimous vote of members present).","Bellbrook City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-O-02, replacing Chapter 440 of the municipal code to restrict commercial and heavy-vehicle turns and route designations on North and South Main streets to address safety and neighborhood impacts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625826,"City reports traffic-device data and plans to reclassify Little Sugar Creek to seek funding",388,3512000,3900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb&start=3512&end=3900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756356-7c9530115e92c928b46d994c7ac05cbb/thumbnail_3512000.jpg","/articles/6625826/Ohio/City-reports-traffic-device-data-and-plans-to-reclassify-Little-Sugar-Creek-to-seek-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625826-fc604c5169aec67a966ce67fd6eedf7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770975212&Signature=E4GB9tjN-VKkvCIT~lYKiZ0QlNOwYW35bPATpowtyADMjHontYmHjvKzdDrqSDy0VClKWO~FJbAuiFvqnsKcveoD7u5U8DZbDDeEQwrbfjV6nLAa1aO4paDLWv~5Q0gAxgzmNhgUnLwCIHqI2q6QDdJCDILp4yCiqwSH3I~9Ytvu6HMJCGIf4ZvDSKc1NBPkJQwrFEMWLvP-xyikRVjXSVLaIbxPwEaZHY1fC40pnhL8WFuroUSd45nvRwJh5X2EiofqIFLIzip5MQ4pWcOtqF4JG1JJF8k8sQRcIPxrxnubQHIaOBL3NDzIalqDQLU8c5oGpJhs~WwKpm-BXxtoOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported at the March 24 meeting that the traffic-count devices used on Little Sugar Creek and North Main Street have produced usable data after earlier download problems were corrected, and that staff will redeploy devices to measure additional locations before final analysis.

The city manager said the 85th-percentile speed \u0000the common traffic-engineering metric\u0000was 33 mph in a measured Little Sugar Creek location; staff reported an 85th-percentile speed of 36 mph on North Main Street at Walnut Street. The city manager noted that the 85th percentile is the standard measure used to characterize prevailing vehicle speeds for design and classification purposes.

Staff said they plan to use annual average daily traffic counts and the engineers' classifications to request a reclassification of Little Sugar Creek to a minor collector via the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) and thereby become eligible for state and federal funding programs (PDAC, mapping for grants). Council and staff said that reclassification would open eligibility for grants for walkability and traffic-calming projects.

Residents who spoke during public comment thanked council for collecting data and asked for clarification about the device locations and how averages were computed; staff said devices would be deployed in multiple locations and raw data would go to traffic engineers for verification. Staff committed to provide more detailed packet data in future updates.","City staff reported corrected traffic-device downloads and 85th-percentile speeds for Little Sugar Creek and North Main Street; staff said they will redeploy devices to capture additional locations and pursue road-classification and grant opportunities based on aggregated counts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board of elections rejected Bellbrook's May levy ballot language; city requests records

Bellbrook council advances draft small-livestock rules for legal review after lengthy discussion

Bellbrook council adopts rewrite of commercial and heavy-vehicle route rules

City reports traffic-device data and plans to reclassify Little Sugar Creek to seek funding