The Mount Vernon City Council on Sept. 10 held two public hearings on proposed amendments to the city code that would (1) permit health clubs and fitness centers as principal permitted uses in Chapter 267 (Zoning) and (2) amend Chapter 10 (Architectural Review Board) and Chapter 267 to extend the expiration of land‑use board approvals from two years to 30 months after issuance of a building permit. The clerk read the hearing notices and recorded that notices were published in the Journal News on Aug. 25, Aug. 29 and Sept. 2 and posted on the city website and social channels.

Why it matters: The changes would alter which uses are allowed by right in zoning and would lengthen the time a land‑use approval remains active after a building permit is issued, affecting developers, property owners and the city review calendar.

Details: Clerk Clark read the published notices at the start of each hearing. No written correspondence was reported by the clerk, and no members of the public came forward to speak in favor of or against either proposed amendment during either hearing. After the public‑comment periods produced no speakers, a council member moved to close each hearing; both motions were seconded and the council closed the hearings by roll call with all members voting aye.

What the council did not do: The hearings were procedural opportunities for public comment; the council did not hold a final vote on adopting the zoning text amendments during the hearings — the record shows only that the council opened and then closed the hearings after receiving no testimony.

Next steps: The notices shown at the hearing and the fact that hearings closed without comment leave the matters pending further council action or future agenda items; the clerk noted the public notice record during the hearings.