Council approves use exception for battery-storage business after safety questions

Euclid City Council voted Monday to grant a use‑district exception that allows Dory Energy Inc. to operate a light industrial facility that will assemble and store portable solar generators with battery packs inside an existing commercial building.

Council members said they were wary of fire and environmental risks associated with storing lithium‑ion batteries but approved the request after the company and city staff described safety certifications and a review process.

The company’s owner, Chris Yuan, told council the operation would use “a stable of portable solar generators” and that the product is “completely clean process without any pollutants, without any noise generated.” He said the units are UL‑listed and that the company has supplied similar products to hospitals, supermarkets and other customers across the country.

Councilwoman Hannum said she was “very leery of putting something with lithium batteries right next to Lake Erie,” citing a recent California fire that left contamination concerns. Yuan responded that his batteries do not use nickel or cobalt and that the company’s units are UL‑certified and, in his account, have not had fire incidents since the company began selling the product in 2017.

City staff told council that approval of the use‑district exception starts a permitting process rather than immediately authorizing operations. The city’s building and fire prevention bureaus will review the business’ exact processes and determine whether retrofits or specific fire suppression, ventilation or containment systems are required. The fire chief said regional hazardous‑materials and mutual‑aid resources would be available if an incident occurred, and that Ohio’s updated fire code contains new guidance on lithium‑ion batteries.

Council members asked practical questions about hours and truck traffic; Yuan said the planned hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a noon to 1 p.m. break and that freight traffic would be “maybe once every 2 weeks or once a week” in the early years. City staff emphasized the company must obtain the necessary permits from the building, fire and service departments before operations begin.

The resolution granting the use‑district exception passed on a roll call vote (majority yes; one no). Council made clear that approval authorizes the land‑use exception only and that safety approvals and permits remain prerequisites to occupancy and operation.

Council and administration officials said they will follow up with the company and fire prevention to document safety plans, required retrofits if any, and the permit timetable.

For now, the decision enables Dory Energy Inc. to proceed to the technical permitting steps required by the Building Department and Fire Prevention Bureau.