[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6571748,"mediaKeyId","3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2","parentId",3142255,"title","Resident tells council reduced comment time and annexation policies silence neighboring voices","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",1953000,"endMs",2266000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2&start=1953&end=2266","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2/thumbnail_1953000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6571748/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Resident-tells-council-reduced-comment-time-and-annexation-policies-silence-neighboring-voices","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571748-b4e4913b8adf7301974ccc45414a1119/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201844&Signature=Xty4K6s9HkW92~Nto9KzsKuMj5XidJe2r7exBmezkENKQ50Z~w4OtaA6KeVB20uPXASi-6sZK-HrLmBrivXfagJ1AVp~0mS4qeI1UmLOIwTeRdBQGVoPNbSyFdZGmJZcvAL-Ln3CpHNKrTaBMwlzL0GarkmtW47AVrxojHBbdiD7xmdgSOFaJvHrX-D9RcJn0bwyr1MYFqF6upRgWLk~hJSRCb7Ul5-fBvcFoz3WLrkbvmubg2403EjhNTdb~NoZxlZuGYuKeYegZqGR8Nvd6EBdKnj2MtoPybkq21FjMsQE8J8ObzZJI67t7tDZ0GUeUVv6IauRYPl3RthnqmRjXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huber Heights","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","During the citizen-comment period at the April 28 Huber Heights City Council meeting, resident Jeff Morford of Bethel Township criticized the council’s decision to shorten public-comment time and said the city’s annexation practices harm neighboring communities.

Morford said the reduction of his five-minute speaking time felt like an attempt to silence viewpoints and compared the council’s approach to state annexation laws in Columbus that he called unjust. “If something is wrong, if something is unjust or unfair, it has to continue to be communicated until the message is heard,” Morford said, urging continued public pressure on annexation procedures.

Mayor Gore and council members responded that residents are welcome to speak at council meetings, but the mayor cautioned against repeating the same comments “week after week.” The mayor said the city’s annexation actions were reviewed by legal counsel and that those laws and prior council votes are not within the council’s immediate ability to change. He suggested that state-level action would be the appropriate avenue for changes to annexation law.

Morford’s remarks focused on moral and ethical objections to annexation and to what he characterized as restricted public comment. The mayor and council emphasized that the city welcomes public input but want commenters to bring new information to the table rather than repeat prior remarks. No formal council action on annexation policy was taken at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Huber Heights - City Council Meeting - Apr 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 28 meeting a resident criticized the council’s reduction of public-comment time and framed the city’s annexation actions as unfair to neighboring communities; the mayor responded that the council will hear new information but warned against repeating the same remarks repeatedly.","taxTitle","Huber Heights, Montgomery County, Ohio","taxId",55050,"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},6571753,"Huber Heights highlights park survey, firefighter apprentices, Safety Town and summer event sign-ups",88,985000,1073000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2&start=985&end=1073","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2/thumbnail_985000.jpg","/articles/6571753/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Huber-Heights-highlights-park-survey-firefighter-apprentices-Safety-Town-and-summer-event-sign-ups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571753-9c2c3b322294a81847c0b746c1b615db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201844&Signature=L1L57YFDm32~Tu0vKsO1f264rUK7fX~oABoFB9ixTja9mVteec~1KUQ6ZypBJkx9lIlQH1RooOnGGp5RdxddvsmBGwutXbNjKIDWPH4D3imTtxCKFRmAU4mFKdiCD4q0bxocTcw63rB3l-UvESYxIjbWE8LcDLJZO0UyPud-ebT8DnD1-ph1m-NLpBQdjtNFZLcvarUidjtIPjQlii9WIDpITzGbbULHwb6SriuqzyVv2ZOTsUfGX7AQZJC~B3qJsJ9yRrPyzaQBCPlCQhk~lnzjAX1J0PTCPMoK3Tnas6tB8PggGDqgQXyKEEKt84k-w8m0eGKz8nerIGb3XIC7Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager John briefed the Huber Heights City Council on several community programs and outreach items at the April 28 meeting, including a parks survey, the June 28 Star Spangled Heights event, firefighter apprentice certifications and kindergarten Safety Town registration.

John said the park survey was available on the city website and social media and noted the survey period closed that day. He said the Star Spangled Heights celebration for June 28 has vendor applications open on the city website and that the first 50 booth spots will be filled on a first-come basis.

John and fire-division staff highlighted the city’s firefighter apprenticeship program. He said two firefighter apprentices, described in the meeting as high-school seniors and named in the record as Benson Dodge, passed their state tests and earned Firefighter II certificates before graduation. City staff presented the apprentices as an example of the program’s progress.

City staff also described community outreach activities: the Community Outreach Team hosted CPR classes in 2024 (25 classes, 47 civilians trained, according to remarks), and the police-explorer program completed response and firearm-safety training that staff said supports community policing engagement.

The city announced kindergarten Safety Town sessions for children entering Huber Heights City Schools. John described the Safety Town schedule as two two-week sessions with morning and afternoon options; he specifically referenced a morning session “on the eleventh through the fifteenth” in August and said sign-ups are on the city website. Staff emphasized Safety Town is limited to children who will attend Huber Heights City Schools.

City staff also thanked volunteers and highlighted recent community events, including a volunteer dinner and the city’s Hoppin’ in the Heights event presented by Peace and Tranquility Pond, which council members said had a large turnout.

City staff directed residents to the city website and Facebook page for sign-ups and details for programs and events.","City staff briefed council on a park feedback survey, Star Spangled Heights vendor sign-ups, firefighter apprentice certifications and Safety Town kindergarten sessions during the April 28 meeting.",{"_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},6571758,"Council advances rezoning for 4341 Taylorsville Road to second reading after public hearing",291,1432000,1723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2&start=1432&end=1723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2/thumbnail_1432000.jpg","/articles/6571758/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Council-advances-rezoning-for-4341-Taylorsville-Road-to-second-reading-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571758-481c6cfd6ded75a1e7eb6bcd7f9064f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201844&Signature=BOiTUNnUdeBEY6f6XPEqjbnIac~NJgHkPKML2uK6JQmeADywTQpbMtuuHN0nKTMUCjxWgy9RQPlweqUSZSAvs-1kNeQNatDaboMfQ8auqqrV808VRBJUY38cjTQq~nNXlVF6YfcM1~e04JpgC-G1jz7ld3ZQF3Ve57RiylP9TmxdtEBgCbv8hLPWjNOOGnwf91jnyEISBQ6j0cRL-myiXSqoPRY8B5O5d8PtR53exGqJGzJxwR5biRkrC2ImYSN0EYS5zd9Uavk9E3-wZZfleSLBa7oDBSy8sQToqaNcyKty5Zu-Zg8fh9RBi6TtSN201niUnB67GX1cI8Itl-uoeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Huber Heights City Council on April 28 moved a rezoning proposal for 4341 Taylorsville Road to a second reading after hearing a staff presentation and public comment.

City planning staff described the 6.6-acre site as currently used for industrial storage while zoned R-2 (residential). Aaron Sorel, a city planner, told council the applicant, listed in the meeting record as Sheraton Riddles LLC, seeks to rezone the parcel to I-1 (industrial) so the existing and continued industrial storage use would conform with the zoning code. Sorel said the property owner purchased the site in 2021 and owns adjacent industrial property; staff and the planning commission recommended approval without conditions.

At the public hearing, no speakers registered formal opposition; council members asked procedural and neighborhood-notification questions. Council member Scott asked whether residents on Bridgewater were notified; staff said owners within the 250-foot notification radius were notified and that some nearby Bridgewater properties fall outside that radius. Sorel also said he had spoken with a nearby property owner who reported issues with dust and debris affecting the neighborhood; staff said the dust may originate from a gravel rock crushing facility west of the site and that staff will try to address those concerns.

Council member Kate (recorded in the transcript as Kate/Erin) asked if the applicant planned to construct additional buildings; staff replied the applicant indicated they likely will remove the existing residential structure but had not finalized plans for new buildings.

Because the item received only an initial reading and public hearing that evening, council did not adopt a final ordinance. The council accepted the planning commission’s unanimous recommendation and scheduled the rezoning (case RZ25-07) for a second reading, at which a final vote may be taken.

Key details

- Case: RZ25-07; applicant: Sheraton Riddles LLC (as recorded in the meeting).
- Location: 4341 Taylorsville Road; parcel P70040090057 on the Montgomery County Auditor’s map.
- Site size: described by staff as roughly 6.6 acres.
- Staff recommendation: approval without conditions; planning commission: unanimous recommendation for approval.
- Neighborhood concerns: reported dust and debris in the area, possibly from a nearby gravel/crushing operation; staff said they will follow up.

Council members asked staff to ensure required notices and to report back if any outstanding operational or nuisance issues need mitigation before a final rezoning decision.","After a public hearing, Huber Heights staff and the planning commission recommended rezoning a 6.6-acre parcel at 4341 Taylorsville Road from residential R-2 to industrial I-1; council moved the ordinance to a second reading for final action.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6571763,"Huber Heights council adopts emergency assessment, budget moves and several measures in 9-0 votes",537,1316000,1853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2&start=1316&end=1853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142255-b481cba1ffb3c3deac234a9036566ca2/thumbnail_1316000.jpg","/articles/6571763/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Huber-Heights-council-adopts-emergency-assessment-budget-moves-and-several-measures-in-9-0-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571763-191a23902d141595dbce8787b32b1161/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201844&Signature=JB-GXgQKY-AXZ63ETrvaoG1FPvJNvLnUOqnvJi1QoBJRMrYGkGKNBBhyXtmAypKPDBe-Igu5~XWV2u4vKAAa-4QI6PaMyu-fBs1ExWkX923oRtHwtRn7AFgvOuMQKdmXTl4VDB4IpFQKiI7NhpVF3MfTjaoGpTyjWXuttwnOUO0vkoTpfdg7hs7kGVrWxMAFRn1TMGTSbKttlj6NlB3Bu5CgdTMb8SP-EdqKfcWrMKgD0BUNqCfS7k6j4lhqjklxdG7CKF26XKMP~MsHRDCkZi4OM1F7645VNAksBnNXrVcR~9f5CZ~NGuMwnNuw35U7AxbE0Dcrx4wJjpTAp2e8fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Huber Heights City Council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt an ordinance certifying individual assessment amounts for collection, approve a Parks and Recreation Board appointment and pass two supplemental finance measures, officials said.

Council members approved an ordinance that directs the director of finance to certify specified individual assessment amounts to the county auditor for collection and declared an emergency to allow immediate collection. The council later adopted an ordinance amending 2024-O-2676 to make supplemental appropriations for city expenses in 2025 and approved a resolution to negotiate jointly with other area municipalities on a single price schedule for street-lighting services. The council also confirmed an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Board.

The measures passed on voice and roll-call votes with the council recording 9–0 tallies for the items adopted that evening. City staff said the supplemental appropriation ordinance moves funds to cover items previously approved by council votes, and the street-lighting measure begins a standard regional negotiation process through the Miami Valley group and will return to council later with proposed costs.

The Park and Recreation Board appointment accepted that evening followed completion of a background check, according to council staff. The council approved the appointment at the meeting; the appointee was identified in the meeting record as Keith Debra.

These votes were procedural and largely uncontested: council members moved to waive second readings on two measures (the supplemental appropriations and the joint-negotiation street-lighting ordinance) and then adopted them on the same evening.

The rezoning request for 4341 Taylorsville Road (case RZ25-07) was not decided that night; it was advanced to a second reading after a public hearing (see separate item).

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance approving individual assessment amounts; emergency declared — adopted, vote 9–0. (Second reading and emergency certification taken at the meeting.)
- Appointment to Parks and Recreation Board (appointee listed as Keith Debra) — confirmed, vote 9–0.
- Ordinance amending 2024-O-2676 (supplemental appropriations for 2025) — waiver of second reading and adoption, vote 9–0.
- Ordinance expressing city intent to negotiate jointly on a single street-lighting price schedule — waiver of second reading and adoption, vote 9–0.

Council members, clerk and staff present for the votes included Mayor Gore, Nancy Baker (council member), Don (council member), Mark (council member), Fred (council member), and city staff who presented items. The meeting record shows each adopted item carried by unanimous votes.

The council indicated it will bring back details on the street-lighting negotiations and associated contract terms later in the year once regional talks conclude.","At its April 28 meeting the Huber Heights City Council voted unanimously on an emergency assessment ordinance, a board appointment and two budget/contract measures; a rezoning request was moved to a second reading after a public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident tells council reduced comment time and annexation policies silence neighboring voices

Huber Heights highlights park survey, firefighter apprentices, Safety Town and summer event sign-ups

Council advances rezoning for 4341 Taylorsville Road to second reading after public hearing

Huber Heights council adopts emergency assessment, budget moves and several measures in 9-0 votes