[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6264800,"mediaKeyId","3095822-be092f7d66ed23ce29e8ed47a3092927","parentId",3095822,"title","Elyria council passes multiple ordinances on first reading; several emergency declarations approved","audioSeconds",664,"startMs",174000,"endMs",838000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095822-be092f7d66ed23ce29e8ed47a3092927&start=174&end=838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095822-be092f7d66ed23ce29e8ed47a3092927/thumbnail_174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6264800/Elyria/Lorain-County/Ohio/Elyria-council-passes-multiple-ordinances-on-first-reading-several-emergency-declarations-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264800-9b1c7f2d938c02a95df80fc10edb693f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026602&Signature=jizFdPuR-2qtJs1GtWLNBRxrwe~Ce00e3CDarfutyPJ6-Sigy74N6iHoBw0BavIgkzx-3WRaEKuh9R8e8iCoXVArbXxNrG0TZBRN8UhYhd8aIWkpq280muFzaJzHNudWFUOWRystN2P6oTXHeKAYl1swUNXNR5ooebO85I04tLQwbxbEgCAJBQGa5-WVM-9Dj35dgvoOPysJjpece8HlE1Xssbk4DvYsBTQiDs4EbVBcMP9YCC0n~WA9VaCmnn681RNVw37ZLbaSi6uKnynnXcjSapCa76URuQnzp-9q9bwmvbcrWwNJALv1pg9FlLX9FKj~St3t80pGOWuB~RVctA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Elyria, OH ","date","2025-04-23T16:27:57.407Z","article","Elyria City Council approved a series of resolutions and ordinances on first reading under suspension of rules, mostly by voice votes recorded as “aye,” and scheduled several public hearings for zoning and conditional-use items.

Key actions passed by motion or voice vote included:

- Resolution 2025-21: Approved a list submitted by the safety-service director for collection of delinquent inactive utility accounts and directed the clerk of council to certify those accounts to the Lorain County Auditor (sponsored by Finance). Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Resolution 2025-22: Approved a list of properties for collection of residential tree removal costs and directed certification to the Lorain County Auditor (sponsored by Finance). Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Resolution 2025-23: Found certain city property unfit for municipal use (sponsored by Finance). Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-48: Authorized the safety-service director to dispose of city property unfit for municipal use. Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-51: Authorized the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the 2025 Gulf Road water line replacement project and declared an emergency. Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-52: Authorized the mayor to enter a professional services agreement with West Roofing Systems Inc. for the North Park roof project and declared an emergency. Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-53: Authorized the mayor to submit an application for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) natureworks grant for the parks and recreation department and declared an emergency. Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-54: Authorized a utility easement to Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., across city-owned real property and declared an emergency. Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-55: Provided for issuance and sale of $150,000 of notes in anticipation of bonds to acquire a solid-waste collection truck and related equipment for the sanitation department. Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-56: Provided for issuance and sale of $110,000 of notes in anticipation of bonds to acquire a pumper fire truck and related equipment for the fire department. Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-57: Provided for issuance and sale of $5,200,000 of notes in anticipation of bonds for the Chestnut Commons connector project (streets, sidewalks, water and sewer work, storm drainage, lighting, signage and utility relocations). Passed on first reading under suspension.

- Ordinance 2025-58: Amended the 2025 permanent appropriations ordinance to change funds and various accounts. Passed on first reading under suspension; finance staff explained specific transfers, including moving remaining beautification program funds into the police department and ARPA-eligible wages.

- Ordinance 2025-59: Authorized the mayor to enter a real property purchase agreement for the sale and conveyance of a vacant lot on Woodford For Ave., Elyria, Ohio for $4,035 and declared an emergency. Passed on first reading under suspension.

Council also set public hearings for May 19, 2025, at 7 p.m. on multiple zoning and conditional-use ordinance amendments, including chapters and sections related to medical marijuana entities, conditional uses for cultivation/processing/dispensary/testing, and rezoning requests for properties on East River Street. A conditional-use permit for JDJ Mobile Entertainment Inc. at 910 Taylor Street, Unit C, was also set for public hearing on May 19.

Most of the above items were routine first-reading actions taken under suspension of rules and recorded by voice vote as “aye.” Where the record indicates a declared emergency, council voted to waive the usual waiting period so the ordinance could take effect immediately.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting 04/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a slate of resolutions and ordinances on first reading under suspension of rules — covering utility collections, tree-removal cost certification, property disposal, water-line replacement, park grant application, equipment notes and other items — and scheduled public hearings for zoning changes and conditional-use permits.","taxTitle","Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio","taxId",4371,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264804,"Elyria annexes 9.7 acres owned by Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church",258,390000,648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095822-be092f7d66ed23ce29e8ed47a3092927&start=390&end=648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095822-be092f7d66ed23ce29e8ed47a3092927/thumbnail_390000.jpg","/articles/6264804/Elyria/Lorain-County/Ohio/Elyria-annexes-97-acres-owned-by-Chestnut-Ridge-Baptist-Church","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264804-022afea2a0edcddbc69aff9c85e6e866/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026602&Signature=IN-RXRBk9u99qcarfWrOdlzJken~foniLRSArQOWu~-d1nLI1oyAbj9jHsFep5SRP9bfpDcHfxNeAlPPq7Oh~pn376WDrWRSu9tcHoR4Fo0HJdLWDZxx22bdJN2fBunHNER5Ty4TppV8H2QDxU5-zgtrBOHisc3J9etivNembw1E6tBEStfCPsggl2xQiZcaRp-aDhu6E1UUxKhlAKk0-g7SlpL3Wsq~~xvCoijr98~aHj~RpOLROurGIUhVI3c1iIHHFEimsH8ravdjEBFdDCz5my0Ui98lH6blIBxe-hMmndHe2EIXXtAQeXFoue5w-IjylxZmA65Bp7d0CwtBRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elyria City Council approved ordinances to annex roughly 9.7 acres owned by Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church and to define post-annexation maintenance and services.

Attorney John Clark, speaking for the petitioner, told council he represented Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church and described the property as “approximately 9.7 acres located on the northwest corner of Chestnut Bridal and State Route 57.” The ordinances were presented under Ohio Revised Code section 709.023 and were passed on first reading under suspension of rules.

One ordinance, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 709.023(e), requires Elyria to maintain any segmented road caused by the annexation that is on property owned by Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church; another ordinance sets out which city services Elyria will provide upon annexation and was declared an emergency. Council also noted that the law director had recused herself from these specific items, and Attorney Clark and staff answered council questions.

Third Ward Council member Zaworka, whose ward includes the annexation site, said she had concerns about traffic and continuity with adjacent properties outside city limits. “The traffic is very bad and we don't control the other side of the street where the car wash and the funeral home is,” Zaworka said, urging a strategic and cautious approach.

Council approved the ordinances by voice vote under suspension of rules; a formal recorded roll call was not requested on these items. The ordinances set the legal basis and immediate operational direction for handling road maintenance and municipal services once the annexation is finalized.

The ordinances reference state law that requires a buffer if township zoning uses are incompatible with city districts and state the city will maintain newly segmented roads created by the annexation; the specific services the city will provide are enumerated in the ordinance language on file in the clerk’s office.

Attorney Clark appeared on the record at the meeting and provided contact information for the petitioner; council accepted the first readings and declared the service ordinance an emergency to expedite the change of jurisdiction and provision of services.","Council passed ordinances to annex about 9.7 acres at the northwest corner of Chestnut Bridal and State Route 57, authorize city maintenance for segmented roads created by the annexation, and specify services to be provided upon annexation; city law director recused from some items and the petitioner was represented by counsel.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264809,"Elyria council rejects development-agreement amendment amid dispute over assignment language",2076,1457000,3533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095822-be092f7d66ed23ce29e8ed47a3092927&start=1457&end=3533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095822-be092f7d66ed23ce29e8ed47a3092927/thumbnail_1457000.jpg","/articles/6264809/Elyria/Lorain-County/Ohio/Elyria-council-rejects-development-agreement-amendment-amid-dispute-over-assignment-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264809-28e5ddef07a5c109ac6084b255ada9b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026602&Signature=C9Kh-P~4rKdJH7anh~StbXTjl6mIOcV0I5uDcSNK7yHUjidVqSYgquX6ZUyEsci~kd-tvbGezn3QBOPG1cPkoR-dIm8Pt~F87w5j4MfUhvNMqMntHDKyIMc21VI8EGrER-kt7kG9hO~az6SF6LTFqhubX8GXeqUDCQ-kp0JxvXguonzC7shsq8MigaYiw3qiLuYqnkDvCNHl07gcPGEg2Xist3dIvwfHRJgaE~7cr8Kr8MkUNERfqUR5HQ78RTeE~mkHNY-0Kb0LbrenP7-y8egLAdt6Thx0TDua9WclDFigMcUCX-OCNJ6sGFPe8ExdMqkbGN~22hyZrcF4vqZqbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Elyria City Council meeting, council members voted 9-2 against approving an amendment to a development agreement with DBR Commercial Realty LLC after disagreement over assignment language and unresolved litigation.

The vote came on a motion to “approve the amendment to the development agreement with DBR subject to final approval of assignment language by the mayor and law director to be resolved no later than 04/30/2025,” moved by Mr. Lipien and seconded for discussion. Council rejected the motion by roll call, with two members voting in favor and nine against.

The dispute centered on assignment language that would govern whether and how the developer could transfer rights and obligations under the agreement to another party. Law Director Deary said the city must know who it contracts with and that standard assignment language is necessary. “When we are talking about any sort of contract ... the city has not only the right but absolutely — I will say it is the right — to know who we are contracting with,” Deary said.

Proponents of the amendment, including the motion’s sponsor, said the project has been under negotiation for years and could bring millions in new construction and tax value to the city. “I support the project,” one council member said, stressing that parts of the development would be mixed-use and that delays have an opportunity cost for the city and local schools.

Opponents and several council members said they had not received assignment language until the day of the meeting and were not prepared to vote. Several also echoed Deary’s view that the city’s contracting authority — the mayor per the charter — must have clarity about assignments and that the law director cannot approve an agreement “as to form” if the assignment language remains unacceptable.

Council also heard that litigation tied to the development is ongoing: the law director said the case remains in discovery, thousands of documents have been exchanged, and depositions are likely within six to eight weeks; pretrial and trial dates have been set for next year. That litigation weighed into members’ concerns about approving the agreement while key terms remained unsettled.

After the failed vote, councilmembers discussed scheduling a strategic planning or special meeting to review the agreement and related legal advice. Deary said she and outside counsel planned to confer with the developer’s legal team and that, if the parties could pin down a final draft by the morning of May 2, she did not see why the matter could not be brought to strategic planning on May 5.

The motion’s failure leaves the development agreement unresolved. Council members who opposed voting said they wanted time to review assignment language and receive input from outside counsel; proponents said delay continues to cost the city attorney fees and foregone tax value.

Council discussion also touched on related financing: finance staff indicated they had reached agreement with the proponent on certain TIF financial mechanics in a recent meeting, but planning, assignment language and litigation remain outstanding.

Council did not adopt the development agreement amendment; next steps include continued negotiation among the law director, mayor, outside counsel and the developer, and potential additional briefings for council members before any further vote.","After hours of debate about assignment language and litigation risks, Elyria City Council voted 9-2 to reject a motion to approve an amended development agreement with DBR Commercial Realty LLC; supporters said the project could bring significant investment while opponents and the law director warned the assignment language left the city exposed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elyria council passes multiple ordinances on first reading; several emergency declarations approved

Elyria annexes 9.7 acres owned by Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church

Elyria council rejects development-agreement amendment amid dispute over assignment language