Lorain council approves five-year renewal to keep 38.2 acres in agricultural district

Lorain City Council on second reading unanimously approved a five-year renewal to keep about 38.2 acres of vacant land at the corner of South Broadway and Cooper Foster Park Road in an agricultural district.

The renewal maintains the land’s enrollment in the city’s agricultural-district program and was brought forward at a public hearing. The applicant, Thomas Estruz, spoke at the hearing in support of the renewal and identified the property’s long family history and boundaries.

“This is a renewal year. And so, we submitted it for renewal of the farmland,” Thomas Estruz said, identifying himself as representing Estruth Investment Company LLC. Estruz told the council the land has been in his family for generations and outlined the parcel’s location relative to South Broadway, Cooper Foster and Baldwin Drive.

The item was discussed briefly during the meeting after the public hearing. Councilman Nutt moved to approve the renewal; a council member seconded the motion and the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: Agricultural-district enrollments can protect farmland from certain local taxes and make properties eligible for state agricultural provisions; renewals are routine but matter to neighbors who raised support during the public hearing.

Council records show required notice was published in a local newspaper and the applicant was notified by certified mail. No opposition was recorded during the hearing, and multiple council members expressed support for preserving the family farm in the city.

The council vote completed the renewal process for the five-year period covered by the ordinance; no additional conditions were announced during the meeting.