Fairport Harbor wins $60,000 grant to update comprehensive plan; council schedules July 1 public hearing

Fairport Harbor has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development to update the village comprehensive plan, Village Administrator Lucas Darling told the council. The last comprehensive plan was adopted in 2002; the update will include an advisory committee, public input and open houses to shape the village's direction over the next 25 years.

Darling said the update will be a seven‑ to eight‑month process with public input on development and community goals. “The last comprehensive plan we had was in 02/2002,” Darling said, noting the document helped lay foundations for downtown improvements and overlay districts.

Council set a special meeting on July 1 that will include a public hearing on the village's 2026 budget and other planning matters. Council members agreed the public hearing may be held in conjunction with the special meeting; the administrator said notices will be published to satisfy the 10‑day notice requirement.

Separately, the council voted to table Ordinance 44 — an amendment to the village code (11‑21‑07) that would restrict administrative, medical and dental offices in the community business zoning district — because it is on its third reading and the public hearing is scheduled for July 1. Councilmembers said that if Ordinance 44 is not tabled it would “die” procedurally before the hearing.

The administration also reported that the Division of Liquor Control has approved the village’s DORA packet and that signs have been ordered; the DORA will take effect after signage is installed and a merchant packet is distributed to affected businesses.