Committee refers fireworks zoning ban and permit rules to council; members ask for resident notice and standalone forum

The University Heights safety committee on April 7 voted to refer a proposed zoning ordinance that would prohibit fireworks manufacturing, distribution, storage and retail sale to the next city council meeting, and discussed companion fire‑code language governing public fireworks displays.

The draft zoning ordinance (identified in the meeting as establishing section 12‑80‑14 of the zoning code) would bar fireworks plants, storage warehouses and retail sales within city limits because of safety and density concerns. A companion proposal would add procedures and permit fees to the city fire code (chapter 16‑15) so that permitted displays — handled by state‑licensed pyrotechnic vendors — could be reviewed and authorized by the fire and police chiefs under the State Fire Marshal’s permitting process.

Why it matters: since Ohio’s 2022 House Bill 172 changed state fireworks rules, the committee has repeatedly revisited local controls to address safety, zoning and the storage/distribution of fireworks. City staff said the zoning ban is intended to prevent storage and wholesale activity in a dense residential city; the fire‑code companion would allow properly permitted, professionally conducted displays when safety criteria are met.

Officials and councilmembers also discussed operational and community impacts. The police and fire chiefs told the committee that the practical site available for a large display would likely be John Carroll University and that the State Fire Marshal controls the permit process. Committee members expressed concerns about notifying neighbors of any permitted display, citing resident complaints after recent shows (noise, PTSD triggers and impacts on pets). The committee agreed that if displays are to be considered, residents living near the proposed site should be notified and given an opportunity to comment.

Law department staff described the pair of ordinances as companion pieces: the zoning language would bar sale, storage and wholesale distribution in the city; the fire‑code language would govern permits for displays and give fire and police chiefs authority to approve or deny events based on safety criteria. A law director representative said the draft ordinances have been under discussion since 2022 and were updated for the current review.

Action and next steps: the committee referred the zoning ordinance (12‑80‑14) to the next council meeting. Members asked staff to organize a stand‑alone safety meeting or town hall to allow focused resident comment and to consider formal notice to neighbors if a permit application were to be considered. Staff also noted a vendor contacted the city in February seeking approval for an early‑June display aligned with John Carroll’s alumni weekend; a typical campus show runs about five minutes and would likely require state and local approvals.

Community concerns: several councilmembers and residents said unannounced fireworks create recurring noise that can trigger PTSD, upset animals, and disturb sleep. One member suggested written notice and use of the city’s non‑emergency alert system and mailings to ensure neighbors without internet access receive advance notice. The committee did not adopt a resident‑notification provision in ordinance text at this meeting but asked staff to consider ways to solicit resident feedback before council action.