Kettering City Council approves TIF amendment, zoning changes, demolition grants and multiple contracts

Kettering City Council on March 25 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions that city officials said will fund public‑improvement projects, update development rules and cover technology and maintenance contracts.

Council unanimously amended the Pruewoods development plan to allow tax‑increment financing (TIF) revenue generated in the Pruewoods subdivision to be spent on public improvements on Dorothy Lane and at the Kettering Recreation Complex in addition to the originally authorized Pruewoods Drive work. The amendment modifies the economic development plan adopted previously (referenced in the meeting as ordinance 42 48‑15).

The change was requested by the city manager’s office; Councilmember Fisher moved for approval. The motion passed on a roll call vote in which all members present voted yes.

The meeting also included a zoning text amendment to revise setback rules in the suburban pattern district. Planning staff said the change is aimed at facilitating adaptive reuse and redevelopment of existing structures. The planning commission recommended approval after a public hearing; City Council also recorded no public comments and approved the amendment on second reading.

Council approved an ordinance levying special assessments for the 2024 curb, sidewalk and drive approach repair program (project ID 05‑124). City staff said the public notice was advertised for 21 days, the 14‑day objection period ended Feb. 20, 2025 with no objections, and property owners who wish to pay the assessment in cash have until Aug. 15, 2025; unpaid assessments will be certified to the county auditor for collection beginning in January 2026.

On demolition and facade programs, Council approved a $25,000 demolition grant agreement for 4086 Glen Heath Drive after staff reported that Oaktree Development encountered buried construction debris during excavation that makes development unlikely without city assistance. Council also adopted amended and restated guidelines for the façade and site improvement program and the demolition grant program; staff said the updates expand use citywide, permit selected residential projects, and increase the matching grant cap from $25,000 to $50,000 to reflect increased costs.

In a separate demolition grant, Council authorized a $50,000 award to assist with demolition of the former Porpido’s restaurant at 3618 Wilmington Pike; staff said the property has been vacant for many years and the owner is cooperating on demolition terms.

Council authorized contracts with LCT Software LLC and TruePoint Solutions LLC to purchase and install a new plan‑review software subscription for planning, development and engineering. Staff described the existing system as “awkward and clunky” and said the new, three‑year subscription (estimated total cost $116,520) must be fully encumbered at signing; the 2025 budget included $37,000, so staff requested supplemental appropriation to cover the difference.

Parks and public‑works items approved included acceptance of a donation from the Kettering Parks Foundation for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts (PRCA) financial assistance program (estimated $11,071), a $45,000 contract to replace submerged fountain lights at Lincoln Park Civic Commons, and a $40,000 contract for pressure washing concrete at multiple city sites, including Adventure Reef Water Park. Council also approved a $49,780 contract with South Community Behavioral Services to provide crisis‑intervention support alongside Kettering police officers.

The council authorized up to $50,000 for branding and communications consulting to implement recommendations from the city’s strategic plan; that motion passed, with Councilmember Scott recording the sole vote against the measure.

Finally, Council approved a supplemental appropriation ordinance (estimated $115,101) that staff said covers the three‑year plan‑review software encumbrance and other items mentioned during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Amend Pruewoods development plan (allow TIF on Dorothy Lane and Kettering Recreation Complex): approved; roll call — Mrs. Fisher: yes; Mrs. Hall: yes; Mr. Scott: yes; Miss Duvall: yes; Mr. Suddath: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Zoning code text amendment (setbacks in suburban pattern district): approved; roll call — Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Levy special assessments, 2024 curb/sidewalk/drive approach program (Project 05‑124): approved; roll call — Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Demolition grant agreement, 4086 Glen Heath Drive (estimated $25,000): approved; roll call — Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Adopt amended façade/site improvement and demolition grant guidelines (increase match to $50,000, allow citywide and selected residential projects): approved; roll call — Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Demolition grant, 3618 Wilmington Pike (estimated $50,000): approved; roll call — Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Contracts for plan review software (LCT Software LLC; TruePoint Solutions LLC) — estimated $116,520, budgeted $37,000: approved; roll call — Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Accept donation from Kettering Parks Foundation for PRCA financial assistance (estimated $11,071): approved; roll call — Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Replace fountain lights at Lincoln Park Civic Commons (estimated $45,000): approved; roll call — Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Pressure washing concrete services (estimated $40,000): approved; roll call — Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Contract with South Community Behavioral Services for crisis‑intervention support ($49,780; budget $71,000): approved; roll call — Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Branding services (estimated $50,000): approved; roll call — Hall: yes; Scott: no; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

- Supplemental appropriation ordinance (estimated $115,101): approved; roll call — Scott: yes; Duvall: yes; Suddath: yes; Fisher: yes; Hall: yes; Mayor Lehner: yes.

Context and what it means

Council and staff framed the package as routine budget and program maintenance, with particular emphasis on enabling planned development and modernizing internal systems. Planning staff said the zoning code text amendment is intended to ease reuse of older suburban buildings; engineering staff emphasized the assessment ordinance follows the city’s advertised public‑notice process and closed with no objections; and planning and finance staff said the city must encumber the full multi‑year cost of the plan‑review software at signing, which is why a supplemental appropriation was requested.

During proclamations and ceremonial remarks, the council also recognized April as Fair Housing Month, naming the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) and acknowledged local partners including the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center. Jim McCarthy of the Fair Housing Center thanked council “on behalf of my board of directors and all of the staff of the Fair Housing Center” for the city’s support.

What council did not decide tonight

No public hearings were held on the items requiring second reading; the meeting record shows no public comments during those hearings. Council did not discuss any litigation, zoning appeals, or new large capital projects requiring separate public hearings at this session.

Ending

Council concluded its agenda after routine committee and city manager reports and closed with no additional public comments. Several community events — TreeFest (April 19), a drug take‑back day (April 26), and the Kettering Leadership Academy application period — were highlighted during the city manager’s update.