[{"_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",6147001,"mediaKeyId","5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf","parentId",5523801,"title","Planning staff outlines planned‑development inventory, enforcement updates and upcoming zoning code update","audioSeconds",468,"startMs",1692000,"endMs",2160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf&start=1692&end=2160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf/thumbnail_1692000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147001/Ohio/Planning-staff-outlines-planneddevelopment-inventory-enforcement-updates-and-upcoming-zoning-code-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147001-b46a48de4dc3d259e6d61cf8ff2ae2f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203447&Signature=De6dIh62-ko2hPlz36JA0eczV9OpXhrCxLG9Ucqnd-kLs7DW5FjtPzI99sH3xL9xgSiEqMQC1ot7FNq~w-5aDngDMX4vF-EckvTlseYwbzwWlczFl4GXpR6ZazgonmZ0ZqsS7gt4WFUaWWYAUG9YGg4v3BAYcucs-Q-DRM2i~Og2-txDljf7IJeacnYPRX6VHQQeva0RSeWPwimF90wI45mSMenaJCAhjX582mEOKSDK1kQzvAiYlf0GNQ8tp5oidcI54O1Oowv1jHHIr2J~aCyNMDEAjW11u0TZSojNyyKMV1GUBumAaHMgnnxTON-mZlNaCkKAiFHXRp7q76NEeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Middletown OH","date","2025-08-01T21:10:45.71Z","article","City planning staff presented the Planning Commission with a 2020–2025 review of planned‑development (PD) districts, enforcement updates on noncompliant properties and the status of a new zoning‑code rewrite contract approved by City Council.
Staff reported that most PDs reviewed exceed the five‑acre minimum for a plan development district; exceptions include a gas station on the southwest corner of Manchester and Dixie and the Villas at Emerald Enclave, which predate current requirements. Regarding enforcement, staff said the noncompliant gas station paid a first civil penalty today but remains out of compliance. “Because they paid the penalty does not mean they are in compliance,” staff said; if the owner fails to cure violations, staff described steps including a second civil penalty and potential criminal enforcement.
Commissioners discussed several PD sites, including an approved but not‑built apartment project (referred to as the Atticus/Gateway parcels) that remains for sale; staff said final development plan approvals and granted extensions mean future developers could still proceed subject to time‑frame rules. Staff noted there is authority to grant additional extensions for the period between final development plan approval and start of construction.
Staff also told the commission City Council has approved funding to update the zoning code and that a consultant (an out‑of‑state firm) will begin work soon. The consultant’s proposal calls for a formal kickoff with the Planning Commission and City Council and multiple touchpoints, including up to four focus groups (for example, builders, downtown stakeholders and historic‑preservation interests). Staff said portions of the draft code will be released to the commission for review prior to consideration by the full Council.
Commissioners were invited to submit urgent text amendments for consideration during the rewrite; staff encouraged longer‑term items to be compiled for staged review as the code update proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting 07.09.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented a 2020–2025 review of planned‑development districts, reported enforcement action on a noncompliant gas station, and said City Council has approved funding to update the zoning code; the commission will be engaged during the code rewrite.","taxTitle","Middletown City Council, Middletown, Butler County, Ohio","taxId",68987,"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},6147006,"Planning commission approves final plat for Havenwood planned development",363,1151000,1514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf&start=1151&end=1514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf/thumbnail_1151000.jpg","/articles/6147006/Ohio/Planning-commission-approves-final-plat-for-Havenwood-planned-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147006-c28ba9beef435cecb36ad17bcc9cb9d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203447&Signature=gYZDWgNrgHoOQDZwkwEGZ8YQ6McgpvSi3gCTEVZN3MS-u2nRZHfQvsTVPs~GUCaSI64aurDOZuDKtWxIz~q6VLOy48akA1c1oVXevORdRe4tIBywlEb~yII6duWxMCfqsnbESc~cDYsKCers-0Kx1K4pWmwlIvvzyKA0ppz7opn70mWxXTFbG4yYg7gWrtx~SRigYF~Ql-S3wNL6W9csW1WkrOky8jOKp-ywUrDiB3EpPIxSnVPdzFgnUBH~g-rRE2suTq-cOtW43er3ylJrQZoeoukKSIyErZ468VbLC9k-LF4pJa8tMLug1wtUwpliBhQJawjnTIxtBNvDkhYseQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended approval of the final plat for the Havenwood planned development, a major subdivision that will create 49 parcels including 47 residential lots, one open‑space parcel and one future commercial outlot.
City staff said the approved final development plan (approved April 10, 2024) established minimum lot widths and depths, setbacks, and other form standards that the proposed final plat follows. The plat covers just over eight acres: staff reported roughly 2.5 acres for dwelling parcels, about 3.5 acres of open space, and just under 2 acres for a commercial outlot. The plat also establishes three private streets (Forest Haven Drive, Oakshade Lane and Juniper Crest Road) and identifies a 100‑year drainage route between Lots 16 and 17.
Mahali Sostakis of Baer Becker, representing the developer, said the development is under construction and “they plan to have it done by August, September time frame,” and that builders expect homes to be constructed shortly after. Sostakis told the commission there had been no issues with streams or neighbors during construction to date.
A commissioner raised concerns about recent regional flooding events and proximity to mapped waterways; city staff responded that no buildings are proposed inside the FEMA‑mapped flood zone and that the proposed construction lies outside the 0.2% annual chance flood hazard noted on the plat. Staff stated, “There is no construction in the floodplain proposed,” and reminded commissioners that adherence to floodplain and permitting rules is required to preserve the city’s status in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Staff noted fire‑department comments and other departmental conditions recorded on the plat: no structure, such as a dumpster, shall be placed within the intersection of Forest Haven Drive and Juniper Crest Road, and the developer must not block the 100‑year drainage route between Lots 16 and 17. The final plat must be adopted and endorsed by City Council before recording.
The Planning Commission moved and seconded approval and recorded unanimous “yes” votes from Will Parsons, AJ Mentel, Gabe Gabriel Schanlein, Nancy Griffith, Roger Daniel and Tara Ramsey. The commission’s approval is a recommendation to City Council; Council adoption is required before the plat can be recorded and construction may proceed under city approvals.","The commission recommended approval of the Havenwood final plat, a planned development subdivision that establishes 47 residential lots, open space, private streets and a future commercial parcel; staff and developer described no construction inside the mapped floodplain.",{"_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},6147011,"Commission backs rezoning of 3409–3413 Vanessa Avenue from R‑3 to B‑1",343,657000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf&start=657&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf/thumbnail_657000.jpg","/articles/6147011/Ohio/Commission-backs-rezoning-of-34093413-Vanessa-Avenue-from-R3-to-B1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147011-c0402dd0e92d2846a190a5f4044eed68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203447&Signature=ZFvF~hGHGZUpk2Mjm3twEwhN0AOdXzc3RmOXMJOxKNQEYP-4LnJ48rio3C-P32e8GRjfgkS8LU4OUgDHgN9rJU70cMjRzjpmNAuEDwJesHIvsDSV5s5NzN1q4UWD~x1n-3F6mHxgr8csGHoS78bIGFsS0FY1Z0II26zB6-uh4XIlgSPHsYsgW9HXqEKOBgfrFil~RqWpP2YgbI2SZkgzMOtnFGZ~00NPT0GPq1SkMj4XS5yuSn5-thEOcCbUa3yx57v2ySKLqQ9jvI2bou8bNjfntmEUopbnCWbELL0rAhgJfKnIb7kfh2HAFiLndZkjGMtIEVLiQGAO4GJiiJFJ1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown Planning Commission voted Wednesday to forward a map amendment to City Council to rezone the remaining portion of 3409–3413 Vanessa Avenue from R‑3 (medium‑density residential) to B‑1 (neighborhood business).
City planning staff said the five parcels at 3409–3413 Vanessa Avenue total just over three‑quarters of an acre and currently contain one continuous building that county records show was last transferred in 2013. Staff reported the structure has long functioned with commercial uses that are more consistent with B‑1 standards than the R‑3 district’s stated purpose.
Philip Stokes, representing property owner Endicott, Inc., told the commission the building has been used for business purposes for decades. “It’s been used as a B1 building since for at least 60 years,” Stokes said during the public hearing, urging the city to align zoning with the long‑standing use.
Councilman Paul Horn, speaking in favor, added that the site historically housed a grocery and that rezoning could help address local access to food. “That area, by definition, would be what they call a food desert,” Horn said, urging that proper commercial zoning could entice a grocer or other neighborhood services.
Staff noted one technical discrepancy: the city’s future land‑use map lists the parcel as single‑family, so the rezoning would depart from that designation. The property is also within the Northern Bridal development opportunity area on the comprehensive plan’s development opportunity map; staff said that area had been discussed previously by the commission.
No members of the public spoke in opposition. The Commission moved and seconded the recommendation and recorded unanimous “yes” votes from Will Parsons, AJ Mentel, Gabe Gabriel Schanlein, Nancy Griffith, Roger Daniel and Tara Ramsey. The commission’s action forwards the map amendment to City Council, which must act before the rezoning takes effect.
Staff and the applicant said no other department comments or public comments had been received as of the staff report; any department findings would be included in the materials transmitted to City Council.","The Planning Commission voted to recommend a zoning map amendment that would rezone the remaining R‑3 portion of a continuous commercial building at 3409–3413 Vanessa Avenue to B‑1 neighborhood business, citing long‑standing commercial use and proximity to other B‑1 parcels.",{"_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},6147016,"Planning commission backs adding nonvoting city council member to Historic Commission",426,169000,595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf&start=169&end=595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523801-ab7025b97177fa52beb65ce59384debf/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6147016/Ohio/Planning-commission-backs-adding-nonvoting-city-council-member-to-Historic-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147016-929653f66cb622928a6a5044e4fec4e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203447&Signature=DGT2gBgWtKgjjgMzXGAjGjvaEkWMHTcSvUaSKmeqHFg6hV2bMTmUphoMjf3hlaYu-hcwI3Mcg9zjGJUZXQ9SZmlrPOXNoTZgx8piGA~H6uQhunf3rSPX9UCNcNzPxH5XRybbce-HFr3PunFBVNsuo8FW~LDHNN38jXQSOTFvpp1jPtqbv5Ots58RRIs1ZiC90zZ6HTMaHJ5zKR2vYKpNiyYOUO0cTXE~H2yGCmgdZ6I3Ik3gwbeHX2Go2AnD4jI0JhKv48Evgnt4J2-Y1o~NuHTyqy4nfSoiEnMG8k1Y6IyK7uX7kUZo088R1y895~9E67AuweVi~SQp8TrscdbRrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to forward a text amendment to City Council that would add a city council member as a nonvoting member of the Historic Commission.
The amendment would change Chapter 12.26.01 of the Middletown development code (the section governing review and decision-making authorities) to explicitly list a city council representative among the Historic Commission’s nonvoting participants. The Planning Commission’s vote sends the change to City Council for final action.
The change is intended to improve communication between the Historic Commission and City Council. Roger Daniel, a member of the Planning Commission who said he has served on the Historic Commission for many years, told the commission the proposed language is “a noncontroversial text amendment” and that adding a council member would encourage attendance and coordination across several historic districts. “We need to make sure that [historic districts] are mapped out properly,” Daniel said.
City planning staff presented the draft amendment and explained the language being proposed appears on screen and in the staff report. No members of the public spoke in opposition at the public hearing; no substantive department comments were recorded in the staff report for this item.
The Planning Commission moved and seconded the measure and then recorded unanimous “yes” votes from Will Parsons, AJ Mentel, Gabe Gabriel Schanlein, Nancy Griffith, Roger Daniel and Tara Ramsey. The commission’s action was to forward the text amendment to City Council for consideration; the ordinance will not take effect until City Council acts.
Commission discussion touched on practical matters such as representation across multiple historic districts and the utility of having a council member coordinate with both the Planning Commission and Historic Commission. Staff noted the proposal only creates a nonvoting seat; it does not change the commission’s decision authority.
The item will appear on an upcoming City Council agenda for final adoption. If Council adopts the ordinance, City Council will designate the nonvoting representative as the ordinance specifies.","The Middletown Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a text amendment to City Council to add a nonvoting city council member to the Historic Commission, after a longtime historic-commission member described the change as procedural and noncontroversial.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff outlines planned‑development inventory, enforcement updates and upcoming zoning code update

Planning commission approves final plat for Havenwood planned development

Commission backs rezoning of 3409–3413 Vanessa Avenue from R‑3 to B‑1

Planning commission backs adding nonvoting city council member to Historic Commission