Council advances 7 Hills PUD with planning commission sign-off and multiple TIF measures

Seven Hills City Council accepted the Planning Commission’s report and recommendation and approved the final development plan for the 7 Hills District in The Bluffs, and it took legislative steps to implement tax-increment financing for portions of the planned unit development (PUD).

Council voted to accept the Planning Commission’s final development plan (report dated Jan. 30, 2025; recommendation dated March 6, 2025). The motion to accept the planning commission’s findings and approve the final development plan passed on a roll call with all recorded members voting "Yes."

Separately, council held first readings and emergency votes on a package of ordinances tied to the LSB 7 Hills development. Ordinance 19-2025, a first reading, would create the Rockside Road TIF incentive districts to help finance public infrastructure for the residential portion of the PUD; it was presented by title and not acted on beyond first reading. Ordinance 20-2025, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept title to certain parcels owned by LSB 7 Hills, Ohio LLC and then transfer those parcels back to the developer, passed as an emergency measure; council said that process is being used under state law to enable establishment of a commercial TIF prior to May 1, 2025. Ordinance 21-2025, which authorizes the mayor to enter into a compensation agreement among the city, LSB 7 Hills LLC and the Parma City School District related to the TIF areas, passed as an emergency measure; the council record notes the Parma School Board adopted the compensation agreement on March 11, 2025 and the city’s action implements that agreement. Ordinance 22-2025, presented for first reading, would declare public purpose improvements in commercial sections of the PUD and implement a commercial TIF pursuant to ORC 5709.41; that ordinance received a first reading only.

Council members and several commissioners publicly praised staff and outside contributors for the work on the PUD. Ward 2 Councilman Martin said, "What we witnessed here tonight was some high quality public administration," and thanked department staff and others involved in negotiating the development. Other council members echoed appreciation for Ed Foley and planning staff for long hours and coordination.

The meeting record did not include full contract texts or the financial schedules for the TIF fund in the public reading; the ordinances and the compensation agreement were described by title and summary during the meeting. Several items were passed under the city’s emergency clause to meet statutory timing requirements tied to the school-district approvals and the May 1 TIF establishment timeline.