Planning committee advances legislation to sell two city parcels after developer presentation

Barberton City Council’s planning, annexation and codes committee called for legislation Monday to authorize the sale of two city-owned parcels for economic development after a local restaurant owner presented his vision for a downtown patio.

The committee recorded a request from the planning director to approve the sale of parcels referenced in committee materials; the committee then heard from Jeremy Clemonson, who identified himself as the owner of Cleanse restaurant and described plans to buy a building at 477 West Tusk and use the parcels to provide an outdoor patio. “I am the owner of Cleanse restaurant … I’m buying the building,” Clemonson told the committee, and he described a $95,000 grant he said he had secured and a plan to use social media and local vendors to attract customers.

Why it matters: The proposed sale is intended to promote downtown economic development and enable outdoor dining space that the presenter said is scarce in the downtown area.

Committee action: After the presentation, a councilor moved and a seconded a motion to call for the requested legislation; the committee recorded “Aye” votes and the motion passed. No ordinance was enacted at the committee meeting; the committee advanced the request to the full council for formal consideration.

Notes on the proposal: Clemonson said he was seeking a loan and had secured a $95,000 grant toward the project. He described using local vendors and periodic social-media-driven menu items to draw customers. The planning director and committee did not specify sale terms, price or timeline in committee; those details will appear in the legislation when it is brought forward.

Next steps: The committee advanced the request to the full council; staff will prepare legislation with sale terms and any conditions for council consideration.