Ironton council advances moratorium discussion after neighbors object to Oxford House at 522 S. Fifth

Ironton City Council members heard multiple public complaints about a proposed recovery residence at 522 South Fifth Street and moved to continue legal review and consider a moratorium on new group residential homes.

Residents told the council the property at 522 South Fifth was purchased by an out‑of‑area entity and that the planned operator — an Oxford House recovery model — would bring more residents than a single‑family zoning district allows. "There is a recovery model of home called the Oxford House that has bought a house at 522 South Fifth Street and are proceeding to move into it," said Susan Heald, a resident at 509 South Fifth Street.

The council earlier in the meeting adopted amended ordinance 24‑47, described at the meeting as changes affecting group residential or…