[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6229591,"mediaKeyId","3460742-9fb4675b7bc0f2f4d328ebe1c3905a3f","parentId",3460742,"title","Council holds first reading on Hooper Street rezoning for 5.13‑acre multifamily proposal; neighbor opposes","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",1066000,"endMs",1379000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460742-9fb4675b7bc0f2f4d328ebe1c3905a3f&start=1066&end=1379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460742-9fb4675b7bc0f2f4d328ebe1c3905a3f/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229591/Ohio/Council-holds-first-reading-on-Hooper-Street-rezoning-for-513acre-multifamily-proposal-neighbor-opposes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229591-6c52bde606a17cdb79414f7afac587aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172392&Signature=EwrbcVN6Fh36eJAUCkuFRL1DfmfynUpqh85zUaqW9jg2P5lFO9JVlY2CRozVXJIel8qs~KWJEMKJ9E3V4uhVU1FP1qY19irfrU7iIiCuTDHl7pRAlL8YQ7Rmp3fNIbfOggd3O03ts9UDwXSH6k9E2B4HgCw3RH8Yybuh91yqviMihOH06J6Tptvjjxc~Z~fEmaZsrBlp8XK26Kfo~Ts~nUZ4mrUf-yq4oCibhAbC8~CNaXjqgtfGv-wTKVimHt38RSezDh-ai0VEflb6F-Z3PebjM2tnFcaLbutUc20SMVpejNIgcWVeDktjsicRWmp724tQBV3FSDV9V-Fvehjcsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Athens Ohio","date","2025-05-20T12:22:41Z","article","Athens City Council conducted a first reading May 19 of Ordinance 56‑25, a rezoning request to change approximately 5.13 acres at 111 Hooper Street from R‑1 and R‑2 residential zoning to R‑3 (multifamily residential). The planning commission recommended the rezoning on April 2, 2025, and the ordinance states the change is intended to allow development of affordable multifamily housing consistent with the Athens 2040 comprehensive plan.

Council Member Swank summarized the parcel’s location (north of the Richland Avenue light near the former Peddler and Packer and opposite the Monticello Village apartments) and noted Hilltide Partners has applied to develop multifamily housing on the site. The ordinance provides that council will hold a public hearing on June 2, 2025, consistent with the planning commission’s recommendation.

During the first‑reading session, Council Member Thomas clarified that conditional rezoning is not available under the applicable code, based on information from Director Elias and staff (as read into the record): “Open does not allow for conditional rezoning,” the transcript records, and the ordinance will proceed as a straight rezoning if approved.

A nearby homeowner, Diana Marvel of 8 Nottingham Drive, spoke in opposition. Marvel said she had recently purchased her home and was unaware of the proposed project until the meeting: “This development would irrevocably change our lives and our homes and our neighborhood,” she told council, asking members to fully consider the impact on current residents.

Council did not vote on the rezoning at the May 19 meeting; the public hearing is scheduled for June 2, at which additional testimony and testimony from the applicant or its representative may be offered before council considers second and third readings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens City Council - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ordinance 56‑25 was introduced May 19 to rezone 5.13 acres at 111 Hooper Street from R‑1/R‑2 to R‑3 to allow multifamily affordable housing; council scheduled a public hearing for June 2 and heard one nearby homeowner oppose the rezoning.","taxTitle","Athens City Council, Athens , Athens County, Ohio","taxId",70977,"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},6229596,"Council adopts 2025 street paving ordinance authorizing up to $700,000 for repairs",244,781000,1025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460742-9fb4675b7bc0f2f4d328ebe1c3905a3f&start=781&end=1025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460742-9fb4675b7bc0f2f4d328ebe1c3905a3f/thumbnail_781000.jpg","/articles/6229596/Ohio/Council-adopts-2025-street-paving-ordinance-authorizing-up-to-700000-for-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229596-f390f1736e4a771f35bb04bee53ecd45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172392&Signature=PMicyt2tWo7vVemvwuhCb8ZuRy4Qge4TJuMLfw1aYd2A1N3PxYMeYjVBXPCUgqXcbmhXh8VE1QF-AhiHtukYaVrVVt6fRKUtCrusq5MRMLn9D0QQVShMgq-b2TiNTjmHxjt6RaLsRDu28dedY-Ynj-nYRnmxUQaiWbk3opeD9HUWK8eqol8kuCwyZ95lO-yLO5LjJtQcrB3B~oZTxLegsePCI64rOPu~eBQff7ESE0zi5-qVY2n5kmPORG2yRKKmqrACEyu~oSNOHHzpwYIcJfJadn7GjIdg01tDj3VLFmZ~AC4iByyzd-S3Zv-zMRIgogM8OzKATcTKvSc5AxVaMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council on May 19 adopted Ordinance 52‑25, authorizing the service safety director to accept bids and enter contracts for the city’s 2025 street paving and repairs project (Project No. 385).

Council Member Spielnis read the list of streets included in the current paving plan; the package presented that afternoon named portions of Columbus Road, Mill Street, parts of Shaffer Terrace, portions of Mulligan and Longview, Armory and Church streets, and proposed alternates including Rared and Lloyd, portions of Brown and Mary.

The ordinance amended the 2025 appropriation ordinance and authorized the service safety director to expend up to $700,000 for paving and repairs. The ordinance text specifically appropriated $400,000 to the street fund and allocated remaining amounts across the street and state highway funds as shown in the ordinance language.

Council Member Spine asked the service safety director about asphalt pricing this year; Director Stone said prices were “a little better than last year as far as prices go, but… it remains to be seen once we get the bids.” That answer was provided as council prepared to move forward with the standard annual bidding and contracting schedule.

After a brief discussion the council voted to adopt the ordinance. The motion carried by voice vote: “Ayes have it.” The ordinance, as passed, authorizes the service safety director to accept bids and award contracts to the lowest and best bidder and to expend appropriated funds for the specified repairs and alternates depending on bid results.

No amendments to the ordinance were made on the floor; the service safety director will proceed to solicit bids and return contract awards according to the city’s procurement rules.","Ordinance 52‑25 passed May 19, authorizing the service safety director to accept bids for 2025 street paving and repairs and to expend up to $700,000 with an initial appropriation of $400,000 to the street fund; council discussed asphalt pricing trends.",{"_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},6229601,"Athens council approves Columbus Road shared‑use path after protracted debate over grants and safety",1946,1383000,3329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460742-9fb4675b7bc0f2f4d328ebe1c3905a3f&start=1383&end=3329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460742-9fb4675b7bc0f2f4d328ebe1c3905a3f/thumbnail_1383000.jpg","/articles/6229601/Ohio/Athens-council-approves-Columbus-Road-shareduse-path-after-protracted-debate-over-grants-and-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229601-382fe03e410734e6b49f9ab6543ea727/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172392&Signature=fEIwnJlCi9SuMMz2QUMAc6M2ev3XUF7vbHf3q3MyDwbHxw5rVZg9eYUkulv6ZSuYiDBVgTWY~Et3QepGy9BRb4o~uiIMLja8HxKRFp4ua9wp9cFwURTMv4Qy09de7o-W9dA1oA6bgZgBB9bgnc2cgixjF1cA2-0ZFOm9dMTFTHwFAdJyUTqCmBw00huUbpjHNSOuL073gSeHi1lS7sGLGU~dA-YEahFCbBk43j1QpEkedvMiWu0~JoO28PUGet-y7mIxRn0NHEIEIamO~-9nAMTZDdXi804ZzYEfMW0bPM7aeGsUq7ArRy8~74i89L-gDWT0LveuEvwOFSWWTmh5aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council voted May 19 to approve Ordinance 57‑25, authorizing the service safety director to advertise, accept bids and enter into contracts for construction of a shared‑use path and sidewalk along Columbus Road.

The ordinance text says the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) awarded a small‑cities grant that covers up to 90% of eligible construction costs capped at $1,032,881. The ordinance authorizes the city to expend up to $1,382,881 for the project, including $350,000 from the city’s street fund; $160,000 of that local amount had been previously authorized for engineering design services, according to the ordinance language read into the record.

Supporters at the meeting framed the project as a safety and accessibility priority for people who walk, bike or use wheelchairs along Columbus Road. “Columbus Road is no longer a highway,” said Stephanie Hunter, of 204 Elmwood Place, speaking for the Pedestrian Accessibility and Bicycle Task Force and with blessing from the Disability Commission. “This is not a safe place for people to walk, roll, bike, or push a stroller. Yet that is what people are doing along Columbus Road every day.”

Ben Ziff, mobility coordinator with HAPCAP for Athens and Hocking Counties, told council he regularly observes people pushing strollers and walking the route. “Individuals walk, bike, and roll on this road every single day, every single day,” he said. “The danger and harm that we are currently forcing people into is entirely unacceptable.”

Michelle Hahn, speaking for the pedestrian task force and the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, said the path would serve nearby clinic and shelter sites and that losing the grant funding would be “a show of bad faith” and could jeopardize future awards.

Council debate addressed both the project specifics and the city’s broader grant process. Treasurer Joe Thomas explained that many of the large infrastructure ordinances council has reviewed this year rely primarily on outside funding, and that these grants often require a local match. “When you look at all these ordinances… 75–80% of the funds that are spent actually come from other sources, ODOT through grants,” Thomas said, adding that the grant opportunities can produce “sticker shock” when members of the public see large totals without context.

Council Member Spiones apologized for earlier remarks about a “path from nowhere to nowhere,” saying his comment was about discontinuous projects rather than residents. “In retrospect… I can understand how someone might have thought that. And for that, I apologize,” Spiones said, and later voted in favor of the ordinance.

Director Stone, the city’s service safety director, summarized the project history and the city’s use of planning documents to prioritize work. He noted that Columbus Road’s lack of pedestrian facilities was identified in the 2009 Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan and again in Athens 2040, and he warned that staff capacity is a limiting factor for pursuing grants: “I’m saturated… it’s not a function of funds. It’s a function of staff capacity to manage it.”

Council members debated whether grant applications should be vetted in committee before staff apply and whether the city could pull back after award; several members warned that refusing an awarded grant could harm future opportunities. Member Spine (Spiones) and others urged consideration of a process to review grant applications earlier when feasible, while other members cautioned that grant deadlines sometimes preclude committee review.

After public comment and council discussion, the motion to adopt Ordinance 57‑25 carried. Council also approved related first‑reading LPA (local public agency) agreements required by ODOT during the same meeting.

The ordinance text schedules the project to provide approximately 4,700 feet of connectivity from the Athens corporate limit to the intersection with the Hockhocking‑Adena bikeway and ties the path into existing bicycle facilities; specific construction details, phasing and final alignment will be set by the service safety director as bids are received.

Council did not amend the ordinance at the meeting; the action authorizes the director to proceed with bidding and contracting so work can be completed during the construction season and to preserve the ODOT funding award.","Athens City Council on May 19 adopted Ordinance 57‑25 to build a shared‑use path and sidewalk along Columbus Road using an ODOT small‑cities grant that covers most eligible construction costs; council and residents debated the project’s scope, grant timing and pedestrian safety.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council holds first reading on Hooper Street rezoning for 5.13‑acre multifamily proposal; neighbor opposes

Council adopts 2025 street paving ordinance authorizing up to $700,000 for repairs

Athens council approves Columbus Road shared‑use path after protracted debate over grants and safety