City Council rescinds planned development for Hyde Park Square after months of neighborhood protests

Cincinnati City Council voted to repeal Ordinance No. 97-2025, which had rezoned property at 2719 Erie Avenue in Hyde Park to allow a planned development, clearing the way for renewed negotiations between the developer and neighborhood groups. The repeal passed on an emergency suspension vote with all members recorded as voting yes.

The move comes after months of public meetings, a neighborhood petition signed by about 18,000 people and a sustained campaign by the group Save Hyde Park and allied community councils asking for a smaller, more context-sensitive project. Council members, neighborhood leaders and the developer told the council they sought a negotiated path forward.

Mayor (unnamed) said the city faces a housing shortage and that the challenge now is to find a version of new development that benefits local businesses and residents. "We have to decide whether or not we will allow growth and access in all of our communities," the mayor said during debate, urging parties to work toward housing across neighborhoods.

Vice Mayor Kearney framed the repeal as an opportunity for collaboration: "It's a movement for developers and communities to work together," she said, praising neighborhood organizers and council members who facilitated recent negotiations.

Neighborhood leaders and petitioners told council the issue is both procedural and substantive. Andrea Schenck, a lead petitioner, cited the city's Plan Cincinnati, urging stronger capacity for community organizations to participate in development decisions. Molly Henning, another petitioner, said the neighborhood supported up to a five-story building (62 feet) as a compromise but opposed a six-story, 75-foot proposal and additional luxury penthouses that, she said, would not meet the city's affordable housing needs.

Council members discussed next steps. Council member Nolan proposed a Community Investment Subcommittee under the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee for earlier stakeholder engagement; Nolan and others emphasized finishing neighborhood plans and reforming development processes to reduce delays that raise costs.

The developer had requested rescinding the planned development application. Councilmember Jeffries and others said rescission returns the parties to the negotiation table but warned that the broader housing shortage — council members cited a need for up to 40,000 new units citywide — requires solutions across neighborhoods.

What happened next: With the PD rescinded, council and neighborhood leaders said they expect renewed negotiations between the developer and local stakeholders, and signaled the city will consider process reforms to increase predictability of community engagement around development.

Ending: Council passed the emergency repeal unanimously. Council members and community leaders said they will pursue talks aiming for a "right-sized" design that the neighborhood and developer can accept, while also addressing the city's housing supply goals.