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University Heights council sends fireworks ordinance back to safety committee after heated debate
Summary
A proposed change to the city fire code to allow short professional displays drew divided public comment and council concern over notification, caps and vulnerable residents; council voted to send the ordinance back to the safety committee for additional restrictions.
A University Heights City Council proposal to amend the city fire code to permit short, professional fireworks displays was sent back to the safety committee Tuesday after council members and residents raised concerns about notification, limits and impacts on vulnerable neighbors.
The measure, ordinance 2025-06, would amend Chapter 1615 of the city fire code to create a permitting pathway for professional fireworks displays. At a public-safety hearing and again at Tuesday’s council meeting, supporters from John Carroll University said they want to run a brief, professionally handled show and to improve communications with nearby residents.
Rory O'Neil, alumni director at John Carroll University, apologized for last year’s communication failures and said the university supports “short controlled displays that have ample warning, that have a strict yet fair permitting process.” O'Neil told…
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