Cleves council adopts revitalization district; developer outlines downtown redevelopment plans

The Village of Cleves council voted 5-0 to establish a Revitalization District intended to spur investment along the village business corridor and to strengthen grant applications for streetscape and utility projects. Developer Jason Lane told the council he is pursuing acquisitions and rehabs for mixed residential and commercial use in the same area.

The Revitalization District ordinance (16-2025) “doesn’t impose new regulations, but it memorializes our intent to encourage economic growth and support developers’ investment,” Justin, the village administrator, told council. He said a key benefit is an exemption that eases the village’s per-capita limit on liquor permits—making it easier for eateries, breweries and bistros to open in the district—and that the designation strengthens applications for CDBG and county economic-development grants.

“I’d like to purchase some properties…rehab those and turn on the commercial spaces where we can do the same thing for rehabs for a few small businesses,” Jason Lane said, identifying plans for six new homes and multiple commercial acquisitions on streets including South Miami, Kramer and College Street. Lane said his company typically buys, rehabs and sells properties and does not operate rental portfolios: “We don’t do any rentals…we buy and sell.”

Council members asked about zoning and parking. Lane said some re-zoning conversations may be needed and that designs under development already include on-site parking and use of an adjacent lot to reduce on-street parking pressure. Justin said the Revitalization District is primarily a planning and grant-positioning tool; physical changes (streetwork, underground utilities, lighting) would come later if the village obtains grant awards.

Ordinance 16-2025 was introduced, the council suspended the rules and passed the measure by a 5-0 roll call. The motions recorded in the transcript to suspend rules and adopt the ordinance list Mr. Bable as the mover and Ms. Bolton and Ms. Meister among those who seconded during the process. The council recorded the final vote as 5–0 in favor.

Council members and the developer described the effort as a multi-step process: establishing the district, assembling design renderings and pursuing grant funding that could pay for underground utilities, streetscaping and improved on-street parking. Justin said examples cited in discussion included family-friendly food-and-drink destinations, not late-night entertainment, and emphasized the district’s role in making grant applications more competitive.

The council did not adopt zoning changes in this vote; the ordinance establishes the district’s boundaries and intent and does not by itself change land-use rules. Officials said any rezoning or liquor-license petitions from existing businesses would follow normal application and hearing procedures.